Do you know how powerful you are?
The influence we exert is powerful. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. We often don’t give ourselves enough credit for the power we wield.
One person, through their influence, can make a huge difference in the world. They can build a building, start something like Facebook, craigslist or YouTube, discover a cure for a disease, bring peace to a nation or start a war.
You can make big things happen if you choose to use your influence. All you have to do is start pushing things in the direction you desire. It might take some time, but your influence is powerful enough to make things happen.
Of course, you don’t have to influence the entire world. Your desire may be to change your family, your business, your department, your neighborhood, your health or your school. Whatever the scope, you can make a difference by exerting your influence. You are powerful.
The Power Influence Has to Make Things Happen
Think of your influence like water. Water in motion is a very powerful force. We’ve all seen the pictures of a flood carrying away cars and even homes.
This is similar to what can happen today if you launch an idea and it goes viral on the Internet. It becomes like a flood. It moves rapidly over all the obstacles in its way. Nothing can stop it.
We often hold back launching our ideas because we think it won’t make a difference, but what if others embrace it? It happens every day. Common people become famous in an instant. Movements are created. People rally together behind a cause. Influence makes big things happen.
Of course, not all ideas go viral, still influence is powerful. It can work like erosion. Slowly, but surely, over time erosion changes entire landscapes.
You have this power inside you. We all do. It is all about how we choose to use it.
The Way We Discount Our Influence
Our lizard brain usually tells us that we don’t have the power to make things happen. It says that we can’t possibly influence people in a way that will make a difference.
When I think about this, the movie It’s a Wonderful Life comes to mind. George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, doesn’t see how his influence is making a difference in “his world” until he’s shown what things would be like if he’d never been born.
Just like George Bailey, we all have the opportunity to change our families, communities, businesses and even possibly the world for the better, if we quiet our fears and exert our influence.
Yes, people might resist, at least at first, but eventually they will likely go along. Why? Because people want leadership. They want to follow those that are passionate about something.
They might be a little slow to see the light at first, but don’t let that stop you. They’ll come around. They’ll listen to you and become convinced.
Stop discounting your influence and shying away out of fear. Decide what you want, put your fear aside and start exerting your influence to make it happen.
How to Use Your Influence
Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.
~ Les Brown
Things will remain the same until you start using your power to create change. Others may not see you as a change maker, but don’t let that stop you. You are powerful. You have influence. You can alter your reality if you will create your own map and lead others in the direction you want to go.
How do we do this? It is pretty simple really. Here are some ways to use your influence:
1. Take Action
The single best way to use your influence is to take action. Do something to alter the direction things are headed. If your family is struggling financially, then start a budget. If you need to improve your health, then start exercising. If your business is failing, then start making cold calls.
Don’t just sit back and wait for someone else to lead the way. Use your influence. It is a powerful agent for change. Once you start doing something, then others will likely join in and you’ll be amazed at how your efforts will snowball. Small actions can and do make big things happen.
One note I’d like to add here, you do not need formal authority or a particular position to be an influencer. Don’t wait for someone else to sanction your actions. Stand up and make a difference. Your efforts will be rewarded.
2. Start Talking about It
Everything starts as an idea in someone’s head. Each of us was at one time simply an idea in our parent’s head. Then one of them spoke up and we were born. They used their influence and brought us into the world. You can speak up and give birth to your idea too. Never discount the power of an idea!
There are so many avenues today to get your idea heard. There are blogs, social media sites, tea parties, meet-ups, support groups, reality shows and of course the good old one-on-one conversation. If you have an idea that you want to spread, then I’d highly recommend reading Seth Godin’s free e-book called Unleashing the Ideavirus for a lot of great information on how to use your influence.
3. Find an Ally
I hesitate to even mention this because I believe in the power of one, but you can find an ally to help. Of course, you are going to need allies for your idea to gain momentum, but I want to underscore that it is not necessary to have an ally to get started. Don’t let the lack of an ally stop you from pressing forward and exerting your influence. Allies will come.
However, sometimes an ally that has influence can really give your idea legs. They can also be a source of encouragement. I’d just caution you against letting the desire to get an ally become the focus of your effort. Also, don’t compromise on the ideal you envision in order to get an ally. Stick to your cause and press forward.
Embrace Your Power and Use Your Influence
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.
~ Chinese Proverb
I cannot emphasize enough how powerful you are to create change. You are enough. You can get it going and make it happen. You have a lot more influence than you think. You just have to believe in yourself and start taking steps in the direction you want things to go. Don’t wait on others. Don’t wait for the perfect timing. Don’t let anything hold you back. Start using your influence to create the life you want today!
Photo by RightIndex
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We all have influence even though we never know it. Everyday someone hangs our every word, loves our presence or is inspired by what we do. To know this is to realise that even the smallest of people has the largest of impacts on the world around him. Jeff, many thanks for reminding us of our own power.
.-= John Sherry´s last blog ..Optimism Week – Day 3 Simple Proof =-.
John – When I read your comment, I couldn’t help but picture our children. We definitely influence our kids with our words and actions. We shape their attitudes and therefore their lives.
Good one,
when strength is a force there is dough there is capability of winning than going alone.
Niluka
WOW! Thanks Jeff for an inspiring article. I was meant to read this today! This article has motivated me to do what I need to do to live consciously. thank you.
Judy – I’m so glad that you found this helpful. I think we often go through the day without thinking about the influence and power we can exert. I hope this truly helped you to see things just a little differently.