Public impact statements
Another dumb buzzword, but a great tool to have in your head
In the previous post, we dug into the importance of thinking about your “impact strategy” and what it will help you do. So, today, we’re going to do more with it. Based on whatever writing or thinking you did after working through the previous post, here’s another step: pluck out the clearest and most mission-driven parts (not the two pages of preamble where you worked out both ego and imposter syndrome, but the stuff after that), and create an real-ass impact statement for yourself.
Again, I know, all the buzzwords. Ugh. I hate them, too. But hear me out. An impact statement is little more than a boiled down and sharpened version of the answer to this question:
What problem are you trying to solve?
“Problem,” of course, here is referring to a problem of the world, and not, say, a non-problem like “not being famous” or some other ego scarcity business. No, we’re talking about the big stuff like sharing your academic discipline or area of study with the world, growing your organization so it can serve more people, helping share impactful stories, helping people learn to cook or feel great, helping cure a disease, etc. Think outward service, not inward service.
And, everyone can (and honestly should) do this exercise. Because focusing on and building some form of impact vision now means future books, future bylines, future funding, future change, future whatever it is you do. Impact isn’t ego; impact is currency, and it’s a whole hell of a lot easier to get through your toughest professional and academic challenges when you have the momentum of public impact on your side. But, it’s got to be the right kind of impact, and in the spirit of service to others.
Sit with this and write and edit until you have a little impact statement all your own. And, recognize that is can and should constantly evolve over time, so don’t put pressure on yourself to make it perfect enough to work forever; make it good for today. There’s no right or wrong way to do it nor form it should take, but it should be as succinct as possible so you can call it to mind anytime you make a decision about a public impact move. Challenge yourself to get it down to three sentences. Then two. Then one.
