How much of an impact is enough?
Early in your career you may have had big dreams about the impact you wanted to have on the world, but for most people, the realities of adulthood set in and our big dreams get buried by rent, bills, car payments, family obligations and all kinds of other things that life presents.
Then as years go on, and you get into your 40s and 50s and finally (hopefully) you have a solid foundation under you and an abundance of experience and knowledge. You also have something else that you might not realize. Choice.
You don’t need to take the first job that comes along. You don’t need to stay stuck in a job that is unfulfilling. You can leverage your years of professional experience to choose what you want your career to look like. Initially, this new found power of choice can be overwhelming and a little scary. It can also stir up memories of those big dreams you had when you were just starting out.
It’s like finding your old softball glove that you packed away in a box in the basement, certain you would play again someday. When you dig it out and slip it on, does it fit like it used to? Does it evoke a desire to get back out on the field? Or does it just bring up nice memories that belong to a younger you?
Just like an old mitt, the dreams and aspirations you had early in your career can have the same effect. Do they still fit your values and goals? Maybe your dreams have changed over the years, but that desire to make a big impact is the same.
Here are a few qualities I’ve observed in people who have had substantial impacts in their fields or industry:
Singularly focused: They have a clear unwavering vision of what they want to achieve and a willingness to let go of anything else that might distract them from their purpose.
Ability to push through the valleys: They are willing to keep going when things get really hard, overcome obstacles and roadblocks, and believe in their purpose even when others have doubts.
Create a culture community: They bring people together and allow them to be part of the vision and goal.
If you are pondering what impact you want to have, how can you start to embody these qualities? On the other hand…
What if I’m not driven to have a big impact?
Something entirely different might have happened in the years since you entered the workforce. Maybe you’ve discovered that your ambitions are far more modest than they were at 23 years old. And that’s okay too. If you are content to pursue a simpler career there’s no shame in your game.
Well into my 30s, I was convinced I would find my one true career path and people would one day say, “I remember her when…” Whatever I was pursuing, I was certain it would scale and grow beyond my wildest dreams. But at some point a flip got switched. I have the privilege as a life coach to work with the kind of people who have large aspirations, but I’m no longer one of them.
Much to my surprise, I find myself quite content with a career far smaller than I imagined. During the work week, I am a library director in a small town, which feeds my need for community and being of service to others. And in the evening, I have a handful of one-on-one clients, which feels very manageable.
I have moments when I see the problems around me and think, “Should I get my Masters in social work, so I can serve people suffering from addiction or homelessness?” I feel a pang of guilt, when I think of career choices not taken, such as teaching, military service, and nursing. But I’ve also found a lot of purpose and pleasure in simplicity.
I don’t think there is a right or wrong amount of impact one should have in their life or career. The hard part seems to be finding satisfaction in whatever choice you make.
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