I use a service called Sitemeter (see the little colorful square down to the left) to help me track statistics on my blog. It’s a handy little service, and lets me know how many folks have visited, how long they stayed, and what the referring site was that brought them to my site.
Hands-down, the most common way new visitors find my site is from a search on the terms "making a difference" or "making a difference quotes". Depending on the day, I’d say up to 1/2 of my visitors come from the results of this type of search.
I think this is really interesting, and relates to some of my central beliefs about people: that we are all looking for how to make a difference, a desire to have some positive impact on the world; and that we all have the capacity to do so. How we each define "making a difference" will vary, but my sense is that in a world that can feel isolated, confusing and scattered, this drive to make positive impact is central and needs nourishing.
In writing here, I try to express some of my thoughts on what making a difference means to me, and hope to inspire others to clarify and take action on their own projects to impact positive change.
So, what does "making a difference" mean to you?
How do you act on it in your daily life?
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
Hi,
I’m glad I found your website. It was through Curt’s to Kristen’s Dream Big to here. 🙂 I’ve found that I feel more alive when I’m inspiring others to follow their creative passions. I actually enjoy this more than drawing, playing piano, or writing. I work in the corporate world (as I train to become a creativity coach) and find many people feel their job is useless. When you can’t see what big picture you are adding to, it makes you feel like just one more cube monkey. I recently heard the expression “I’m working with the walking dead”. I think if all of us found how we made a difference, even at a job we don’t enjoy, it would make the days go by easier to say the least.
I have been a Physcial Therapist for 30 years and have recently retired. I am looking for a that will make a difference in my little world. It does not feel like Physical Therapy is it. Maybe working with at risk youth. I don’t know. But I am 59 and still have the same desire I had at 18 to make an impact.
Lois
Kayll, Lois,
Welcome, and thank you for sharing your thoughts here…
What I sense in both your comments is the dedication & drive you each have to find the ways to make a difference that make sense to you. As Lois reminds us, that drive doesn’t change whether we’re 18 or 80.
I hope you’ll both visit again to let us know how it goes on your path!