“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.
Jackie says
Paul, who blessed us with a car when ours died and who has helped our family in so many ways.
John, my husband and hero. He is truly a man of integrity and I am proud to stand beside him!
Vera, my beloved mother, who consistently goes above and beyond to make the lives of others easier. She has canned fruits, sauces, and vegetables every season for as long as I can remember. She has always been generous with gifts of veggies from her garden, meat from the hunt, and sweet treats at Christmas. She raised two children to be independent, successful adults. And she let’s her grandchildren play in the mud. She is amazing!
Katrina Kennedy says
This is a beautiful post.
I’d add my husband, and the many people like him, who left the corporate world to become a junior high science teacher. The kids he’s taught have benefited from a positive male role model in their lives who gets that school is not about grades but truly getting excited about science. He set aside society’s $$ metric for something with heart and soul.
Sarah Kathleen Peck says
You are wonderful. Thank you.
Becky says
Oops, forgot in previous post. Joshua, thank you for providing the opportunity to share so many positive stories of people making a difference in this world.
Nat says
I have a #8 as well. Motherhood is a good career. Excellent mention.
Becky says
My friend Hari Berzins and her husband Karl (and their two children) are sharing their experience of creating a simpler, more frugal and sustainable ilfe. After losing their home and business in the financial crisis, they took their misfortune and made it an opportunity for change. They now live mortgage-free with a small environmental footprint–in a tiny home they built themselves. (And what a rich life!)
They reassessed, accepted responsibility, and began working to start over. They chose to be public with their journey through http://tinyhousefamily.com in hopes of encouraging others to make similar life changes if they wanted. I could could on and on, but Hari says it best herself. She has a post titled “Shower Curtain Dilemma” that speaks volumes.
Suzette @ jambalaya says
So glad your wife is mentioned. She has a quiet but beautiful job and I’m right there with her. :)
Lisa Price Watlman says
My co-worker at Silver Key Senior Services, Karen Bartlett carries bag lucnches in her vehicle (as does her hubby) so when they see a homless person on the corner, they pull up and hand them a bag of nutritious food and drink to hold them over until their next meal. She rocks!
Terry Hadaway says
I’ll add my wife to the list. She managed our home, raised two incredible boys, worked outside the home to put me through school, attended school herself, takes time to invest in the lives of other women, and flies below the radar! She encourages me to live my why, shares her ideas to make my books better, and helps us live a simple life so we can simply live. Though she might not be famous (yet), the world is a better place because of her!
Philippa says
My two aunts, who each looked after their mothers as the main carer when they became older and less able. It meant that both mothers could stay in their own homes much longer than would have otherwise been the case. They travelled long distances, spent time away from their own families, worked caring around stressful and difficult jobs, dealt with the authorities, supported their mothers in going to see friends and keep other relationships going, and kept the rest of the family together, often at great emotional, social and financial cost to themselves. It was really amazing and I hope that I will be able to follow their example.