Making a difference starts with you. You are not going to be able to make a difference, you are not going to be able to change a thing, you are not going to be able to make other people happy, if you are not a difference maker.

You are making a difference when you love yourself, when you put other people first, when you leave room for other people to grow, when you respect other people, when you treat other people with love and respect.

You are making a difference when you don’t take advantage of people who are powerless. You are making a difference when you take care of the little things.

According to Natalie Fee, ‘Out of the apparent brokeness of our world, green shoots are emerging.’

‘… the way we operate must be regenerative, not sustainble.’

‘People may judge you for doing good and getting paid, especially if you’re successful.’ That is okay. If you want to see a better world, you must do good anyway.

‘Whenever I get that ‘who the hell am I to be telling these people what to do?’ feeling, I take a moment to check myself.’ You are doing the right thing. You are taking care of humanity. When you are doing great things in the world, not everybody is going to celebrate you.

‘… make sure your passion is authentic. You’ll be tested …’ Doing good things is not easy. Because you don’t know what is coming next. But do not let that stop you from taking care of the world around you.

Doing good is great. It brings people together. It reveals who we are. But before you get into doing good, helping the world, you must start by ‘asking yourself what you’re doing, how you’re doing it and who it benefits.’

Again, making a difference is the only way to keep the world going. If no one cares about what is happening in the world, we are not going to be here. That is why you shouldn’t be scared to face your own reality. ‘Don’t be afraid to create your own table, don’t be afraid to stand out and be yourself.’

You must be yourself. You must tell your own story. Because you have a unique story that the world cannot wait to here. If you can tell your own story, you can connect with others. Because stories bring people together. To do that, you must ‘… hone your message, become good at telling your story…’

When you are good at telling your story, no one can manipulate you. No one can talk you into something that you don’t want to do. You can delegate other things, but not your own story.

‘Having people to work alongside you frees you to focus on the areas you’re best at.’ That is leadership. Because leadership is not about doing everything. Leadership is about doing what you are really good at, things that can change your life forever. If that is not what you are doing right now, then you are wasting your time.

Finally, ‘aim to empower, not exploit.’ Remember why you are doing what you are doing. If you are doing it for money, you are exploiting them. If you are doing it to make a difference in the world, you are doing good.

‘Aim to empower, not exploit.’

Source

Natalie Fee (2023). Do Good Get Paid: How to Make a Difference in Your Day Job