Make your mark

Making your mark these days is no longer about waiting to get to the top rungs of the corporate ladder to achieve something significant. If you are willing and prepared to do what it takes to make a difference, whatever your level, you can.  Here are a few areas to think about as you prepare to increase your impact.

Develop and demonstrate far-sight: You’re unlikely to be fruitful by thinking only about today’s needs or finding ways to address everyday challenges and hurdles. Let go of pre-conceived ideas. Don’t embrace just ‘tried and tested’ methods only, but being open to new experiences and ideas. When you think over a broader timeframe, you give yourself enough flexibility to map decisions and actions you take today to a bigger vision.

Have the right mix of ingredients: Know what you need to understand and believe. Ingredients in the form of time, energy, skills and right attitude are necessary for implementing whatever you set. Make sure your have investments in the right proportions. Seek people who are making their mark and those quietly achieving; and learn from them.

Be absolutely determined: Don’t miss any chance to deliver change, improvement or impact. Be diligent, hardworking and don’t consider yourself a weakling or underdog in any circumstance. Plan your outcomes so you don’t waiver when one step fails and look at your setback from a fuller perspective. Be prepared to live out what you believe when times get tough; don’t give up.

Prepare for unchartered territory:  You’re not going to coast your way to making a difference. You are likely to go through unfamiliar territory and resolve dilemmas. In such situations, trust your instincts, be patient with yourself and don’t be easily defeated. Stay the course and keep moving forward.

Have a sense of self: You have to have a sense of purpose that does not change irrespective of what’s going on around you. Make choices on how you’ll respond to events undistracted. Have an inner reserve that drives you forward in line with your values. Don’t wait for others to approve of what you believe can make a difference. Start.

Now take action: identify and write down what mark you want. Start acting on it.