What did you do to change the world this year?

By Deb Boelkes

As we grow up and begin to think about what we want to do with our lives as adults, some of us have big ambitions to change the world.  Some of us know precisely what we want to do for a career, while some of us simply hope to make an impact somehow, someday.

How about you? Did you have early ambitions to change the world? If so, what did you intend to accomplish? Have you achieved your dream or are you still pursuing your ambition? Do you believe you’ve made a difference so far?

Each December I mail out Christmas cards and letters to numerous friends and loved ones—some I see regularly; some I rarely, if ever, see anymore. I cherish the opportunity to keep in touch and let these dear ones know they hold a special place in my heart. I find it cathartic to take stock of my year’s journey and I always look forward to hearing the recount of my loved one’s personal sagas.

I especially enjoy accounting for the myriad of little things that were hopefully meaningful to others. What did I do to bring someone joy? In what small way did I help someone through a difficult time? How did I help ease someone’s sorrow and assure them they’re appreciated and loved? How did I help others find their way through the dizzying maze of choices life presented them? Such reflection inspires me to do even more going forward.

Of course, we never really know how our actions change the world. It might take years after we’re gone before the true impact becomes apparent to anyone. But we can still take stock of the immediate reactions we experience and determine whether to continue the current mission or change course.

One of my big goals for this year was to complete the fourth book of my heartfelt leadership series. Publishing Strong Suit: Leadership Success Secrets from Women on Top gave me the satisfaction of knowing I have left a lasting legacy that will hopefully inspire more heartfelt leaders in perpetuity. 

The most exhilarating aspect of my book writing experience comes every time I put one of my books into someone’s hand and later hear from them how the lessons that they learned from it changed their life. It’s that kind of feedback that makes the countless hours of authorship toil and tears worth the effort.     

I especially relish the opportunities I’m given to speak to audiences of university students or corporate leadership teams or industry associations about the various aspects of career and leadership development that tend to be the most perplexing for folks. I gain great satisfaction from later receiving emails or book reviews written by attendees who share that my insights gave them the confidence to pursue a path they never imagined would open to them.

I suppose changing the world comes down to what is known as the Butterfly Effect—the theory that a single butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can effect great change in other parts the world—the butterfly being a metaphor for how seemingly small, insignificant events can cause a major change in circumstances for others. Anything we say or do for one individual can impact multitudes.

I once received a thank you letter from a reader of one of my books—a specialist in the healthcare field—saying,

I’ve consciously put three of your concepts into my patient care and have received so much appreciation from my patients. I am the only one in the department to earn two WOW certificates in a month. I’ve even volunteered to join the hospital’s WOW Committee to help educate the staff on how important it is to understand these wonderful tools.     

It’s feedback like this that assures me I’ve changed someone’s world for the better, at least in some small way, and there’s even the possibility that the impact may make a world of difference for countless others I may never know. Such feedback is more valuable than any amount of money or notoriety could ever provide.

Of course, there are the many tiny, even silly kinds of things that bring me joy along with the satisfaction that I’ve made a difference—like when I receive a text from my grown-up son, sending a video of one of my young grand-daughters reading a storybook to her sister while doing her best imitation of me mimicking my own Nana’s British accent as I play-act Mary Poppins with them. The little girls love it when—as Mary Poppins—I give them instruction on “perfectly proper manners.” And you know what? Not only do they have fun learning proper behavior and social skills, but they also go on to teach others! 

Then there is the civic group I founded nine years ago and still lead to this day. The group meets monthly to hear from subject matter experts on various hot topics of community, state, and world interest. I also send out daily newsletters highlighting the notable goings-on of the day which the mainstream media otherwise tends to censor. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t receive at least one sincere expression of gratitude for all I do to keep members informed and aware of all the craziness in the world.  The continuous outpouring of gratitude, and the knowledge that our members share my newsletters far and wide keeps me going.

So now as the year ends, I encourage you to consider all the many ways that you, too, have likely changed the world this year. I’ll wager you’ve left a greater imprint than you even realize.

As Maya Angelou once said, “Live as though life was created for you.”

My holiday wish for you is that you will pursue the things you love; that you’ll be all you can be while doing them; and may you inspire others to do the same. Then, as each month passes, may you take just a moment to quietly reflect and account for the wonderful world you are creating.