“Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” – Earl Nightingale
We all have influence. We have a platform on which to create change in this world. And most people in our world (myself included more often than I’d care to admit) will spend much of their finite energy comparing their platforms to others.
Unfortunately, they’ll waste their time comparing all the wrong metrics.They’ll compare…
- income and savings account balances.
- home prices and car models.
- job titles and salary packages.
- Facebook friends, Twitter followers and blog subscribers.
They will compare the size of platform, but often disregard for what influence the platform is being used. As a result, many of the wrong people will be held in esteem. And many of the people who are getting it right – using their platforms for positive change – will go unnoticed, be overlooked, or worse yet, quickly forgotten.
We need to change our metrics. We need to stop comparing size and start comparing direction of influence. We ought to spend less time praising those who build large platforms for selfish gain. And spend more energy lifting up those who use their platform for the betterment of somebody else – regardless of size.
We ought to publicly praise those who use their platform to contribute good into our world. People like…
1. Scott Harrison, who gave up a highly lucrative career to deliver clean water around the world and redefine charity in the process.
2. Stephanie Zito, who is giving away $10 every day this year to a different charity.
3. Jeff Slobotski, who has given his life to encouraging and connecting young start-ups in Omaha, NE.
4. Brene Brown, who has dedicated her life to studying vulnerability and equipping others to live authentic, vulnerable lives.
5. Josh Furnas, who recently moved to San Francisco to help nonprofits raise funds in a practical, fashionable way.
6. Sarah Peck, who is giving away her 29th birthday to charity.
7. Chris Guillebeau, who once gave everyone in the room $100 to invest in themselves and something great… $100,000 total.
8. Kimberly Becker, who put aside her career aspirations to raise two children at home for the past 9+ years.
Based on the typical metrics of our society, each person listed above varies in their level of success. But on the metrics of appreciating positive contribution, each has used their influence to benefit others. And our world would be a better place if they were publicly praised because of it.
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Will you consider adding to this list and publicly drawing attention to someone in your life who ought to be celebrated because of their positive contribution to others? You can do so in the comment section below. Links will be approved.
Dustin says
I like #9 the best. Moms are under appreciated.
Philippa says
Me too! Well, number 8, right? And I love that there’s no link to a blog or anything.
Dustin says
oops. yep 8! Kim rocks!
Joel Zaslofsky says
Hey Joshua,
I guess I can’t include you on the list since I already publicly appreciated you on my website at the start of the week. Besides, that would be too cliche.
I’m recognizing most of the names on your list as people who attended WDS. You can bet I’ll be there next year to experience the magic with everyone else.
I’d like to add Scott Dinsmore of http://liveyourlegend.net/ to your list. He radiates a genuineness and helpfulness I rarely see these days. Not too many people live up to their website’s tagline like Scott does (“Change the World By Doing Work You Love”). He’s also also a fellow WDSer and change catalyst for so many people who follow along with his journey in life.
Lisa Dulara says
My mother, Kathy- who as a retiree crochets baby blankets for friends, family and friends of us all AT NO CHARGE! She is constantly making warm hats during have when the winter and pretty scarves as well. Rarely does she take any money although she certainly could use it. She does it because she likes to and enjoys the appreciation others have when the receive it. She has a very giving heart.
Karen Collacutt says
Suzanne Evans with her Help More People Foundation and the Global Impact Project, an initiative between Suzanne Evans Coaching and Camfed, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty, HIV, and Aids in Africa by educating and empowering women to become leaders of change. Suzanne and a group of entrepreneurs just returned from Zimbabwe were they worked with entrepreneurial women there to help them grow their businesses so they can support their families, and build their communities. http://helpmorepeople.com/
Amy @ New Nostalgia says
Robyn from She Makes Hats. Her life goal is to knit 10,000 Hats For Charity and she is well on her way. So inspiring.
http://shemakeshats.blogspot.com/
Jon Maiden says
Chris Gruar, who is putting his teaching career on hold to cycling over 30,000km from the UK to Australia, to raise at least £10,000 for the Association for International Cancer Research. Read more about his epic ride here: http://cycling4cancer.wordpress.com.
Samantha says
Beautiful to see so many generous and open hearted people in these world. These are the people that make the real difference in life, not the ones that have the biggest wage package
Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says
My brother is an MLA (a member of our provincial legislature) and I do admire his work, but it’s my sister-in-law that I wish to mention here. She works tirelessly, not only to support my brother’s efforts and to care for her family, but also to better our community through volunteer work. She has a full time job but still manages to give many hours each week to several community groups, and – in addition – quietly works in the background to promote and help move forward various fledgling businesses and community organizations that have come to her attention. She never requests recognition for her efforts but in her quiet way has done more for our community than most people I know.
Steven says
I am sacrificing the comfort of my life, leaving my relationship of five years, and delaying my entry into a career in order to serve as a volunteer in the Peace Corps. I leave in September. My impact will be small, but I’m risking everything I’ve created thus far in my life in order to do it. My life will never be the same, for better or worse. But it’s a calling, and it’s something I must do.
Cheryl @ handcraftedtravellers says
A good friend just lent us the money to purchase a small homestead close to our own farm, so that we can finally start a business from home. He believed in us when no one else did and he will not accept any interest in return. We will be forever grateful! What an amazing act of kindness!