I’ve been diving into John Maxwell’s teachings on “living a life of significance” this week, and one distinction hit me hard: “Success is about what we add to our own lives, but significance is about what we do for others.”
All of us have good intentions. We hope things get better, or we tell ourselves what we should do. But as Maxwell reminded me in his book ”Change Your World”, the smallest deed done today is worth far more than the grandest intention left on tomorrow’s to-do list. Real difference doesn’t happen by chance—it happens on purpose.
Here are the 4 practical shifts I’m working to practice every single day:
1. Decide to make my life count
I don’t need an extraordinary platform to start. Small, faithful actions compounded over time create monumental impact. I don't need to wait for a massive stage—start small, and start right where I am..
2. Do something that actually makes a difference
Stop relying on passive hope and start taking active steps aligned with my purpose. A great exercise I’m doing:
Choose 5 core action words that reflect who I am (like serve, give, encourage, build, communicate). See which one moves me emotionally each day. Then connect my passion to my actual strengths. Passion alone isn’t enough—impact happens where my passion meets what I do well. Then write down a clear purpose statement and take one concrete action on it every day.
3. Run with people who want to make a difference
Growth and impact are team sports. Who I surround myself with matters. Find the people who want to lift others up, challenge my thinking, and build meaningful things together.
4. Act at a time that makes a difference—LIke Right Now!
Shift the internal dialogue from "I should do something" to "I am doing something." The right moment rarely feels perfect; the right moment is almost always today. Anticipate good things not just for myself, but for the people around me.
What is one word that anchors your purpose right now, or one small step you can take today to add value to someone else? Let’s share in the comments!
What are the 5 words that best describe your core strengths and purpose?