Changing Trajectories

At a recent speaking engagement, a former colleague shared that a mentoring program I’d stood up for her organizations some 10 years ago had changed the trajectory of her career. (Based by her genuine smile and warm hug, I assume that it was for the better!) In that moment, I was genuinely surprised. While my verbal response was something along the lines of, “That’s wonderful – I’m so happy to hear it!” my internal voice was completely different. “Really?”, I thought. “She’s just saying that to be nice.” A few days later I stopped to question this self-deprecating voice. What good does it do to play down the impact I have on others? I feel arrogant and presumptuous even entertaining the thought that something I did changed the trajectory of someone else’s life. Playing down my impact allows me to stay small, and in staying small, to stay comfortable. Until, of course, I wake up to the reality that, intentional or not, my actions and inactions do affect others. So do yours. What we do, and don’t do, matters. It’s life changing. What good does it do you to play down the impact that you on others? What if you viewed yourself as constantly changing the trajectory of others’ lives? What if it’s not a question of whether you could have that kind of impact, but a question of the type of impact you are having each and every moment? Are you searching for the legacy you want to leave behind? Let’s find a time to talk.