How Difference Matters

1 Making a differenceAt the end of every day we might want to ask ourselvesHow are we different today then yesterdayDid we make a difference to anybody or anythingWhat would we have done differentlyThe first question is about our growthDid we grow today so we are different than yesterdayThe second question is about our impactDid we have an effect on somebody or something today so they came away better or differentThe third is about improvementWhat did we learn that make us better tomorrowIf we ask these questions to ourselves every day or every week or every month it allows us to reinvigorate ourselves even at the end of tough days and in some cases signal we need to change our jobs relationships or lives if the answers constantly indicate low growth or limited impact or little learningTry the exercise and you may find it eyeopening2 What made a differenceWe are a sum of the decisions we made the people we met the things that happened to us and the chances we tookIn most lives just a handful of decisions people events and chances have made all the differenceUnderstanding these are a key to a lifeTry answering theseWhat three key decisions in your life have made all the difference eg a partner a job a decision to leave a place or personWhat three people have shaped your life andor careerWhat three events good or bad have shaped you eg health issues financial windfall accidentsWhat are the three biggest chances you took that have determined where you are eg risks betting on people career reinventions moving locationsIn life a handful of decision events and people determine where you end upOften though our lives are changed by other peoples decisions to hire us help us partner with us and we need to keep in mind that we have less control often then we might thinkIn fact the two biggest drivers of a life are two draws of the lottery which we have no control overThese are a who we are born to and b what country we are born inWinning the genetic lottery is often greater than any financial lotteryOne of the benefits of the amp8220what made a differenceamp8221 exercise is that when we ask others for their key three decisions people events or chances we tend to form deeper connections and catalyze more meaningful conversations3 A different usWhat differentiates usOne of the most interesting thing is to see people conflate themselves with their trappingsIf you are a senior person in a company is it you or your role the company reputation or the money you control that people are admiring and genuflecting tooSo many people are shocked that when they leave or lose their position that they are no longer as relevant sought after pandered or curtsied toThere is us the personAnd then there is us the objectified person empowered by another power source a company a budget a role that we borrow fromImportant to remember the differences and to realize what will remain that is us after the role or job or position endIt is a difference that matters a lotWhat makes you different that is uniquely youIt is usually a combination of a special nicheskill a voice and true stories that will always be yoursTo discover yours try this exerciseamp8230Posted at MediaVillage through the Thought Leadership selfpublishing platformClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillageorgMyersBizNet

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How Difference Matters

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Rishad Tobaccowala

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

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How Difference Matters

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Rishad Tobaccowala

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

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