How Large is Your Ripple?

Now raise your hand if you see yourself as having influence through your work.

And finally, please raise your hand if people look to you for guidance or as a role model.

Wow, that's a lot of you! For those of you who did not raise your hands, don't fret, this article is written for you as well.

The last few weeks can only be described with one word: synchronistic. Seemingly unconnected experiences have delivered similar themes and lessons to me. As I step back and gain perspective, my eyes are opened to a larger view of my recent experiences, and I am seeing some important connections that cannot be ignored. Taking that step back is like zooming out on Mapquestand observing the larger scale of roads and highways that lead to a specific destination. Taking that step back is like zooming out on Mapquest and observing the larger scale of roads and highways that lead to a specific destination.

From this broadened perspective, we can see connections that were previously hidden, alternative routes to our desired destination, and a much clearer picture of our journey. At the very least, stepping back creates an opportunity to see choices that, although always available to us, we had not been aware of before. In other words, we were blind to the vast variety of choices available to us. Remaining open to seeing the connections in seemingly unrelated events allows us to explore how the totality of our experiences are connected in a deeper way.

Recently, I have been exposed to a number of events that ultimately have led me to have this dialogue with you. Of course, it can only be a dialogue if you respond! I ask that you participate in the conversation by sharing your thoughts and experiences with me, and I, in turn, will share them with our subscribers. Rather then my sharing actual events, I will instead share what I have been reminded of: Everything we do, say, think, and feel creates a ripple effect.

Let me say that again in a slightly different way. Every thought, feeling, attitude, belief, action, and word creates an impact--and that impact is not limited to current space and time. Everything has a ripple effect. We can generate negative ripples or positive ripples. Are your ripples creating change and possibilities, or are they creating stagnation and limitations? Our ripples can be so powerful that they cascade into another ripple, creating an exponential impact that carries well beyond our own awareness. Our ripples can also be feeble, especially when we do not understand or accept the effect we have on others.

So, my questions to you today are: "How big is your ripple? What is the impact of the ripples you cast with your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, actions, and words? Are you paying any attention to the cause and effect relationship that exists between you and the greater universe of beings that is influenced and affected by your existence?"

Most of you have at least one leadership role. No matter what your title, whether it be Business Owner, CEO, President, VP, Coach, Mom, Dad, Supervisor, Captain, Counselor, Tom, Dick, or Harry (you get the point), you represent the starting point of a million and one ripples. Some of them create positive effects, and others create negative ones. You are "cause." And we all know what occurs on the other side of cause!

Now to be fair, the ripple you cast is not solely your responsibility. We each have the power to deflect a ripple. It's somewhat like throwing a rock into a pond of water--the ripple will be cast outward until it either loses energy or hits an object that deflects it. Upon deflection, yet another ripple is cast. We can choose whether or not to be affected.

When someone cuts me off in traffic or is rude to me, I choose how their actions affect me. Likewise, if someone says a kind word, or shares an idea or experience, I choose how I am impacted. Our conduct is constantly generating the cycle of cause and effect. We are called to be continually aware of the impact our ripples have on the people around us. We have a responsibility to be conscious of the ripples we create and to understand how much influence each of us has.

A good place to start is to ask "What is my reputation?" What is my reputation with my employees, colleagues, clients/customers, boss, fiends, partner, spouse, children, team members, and the countless seemingly irrelevant people I meet on a daily basis?

The next questions are "Am I proud of my reputation? Is how I am seen how I want to be seen?"

For the most powerful impact ask yourself, "How do I want to be perceived by others?" and "What do I want to be known for? What kind of ripples do I really want to create?"

If you "zoom out" and view the totality of your life, can you say, "I am proud of my ripples and the ripples I cause in others!"?

As leaders and business owners, we possess a huge responsibility for the way we influence the lives of the people with whom we interact, as well as people who are seemingly just observers of our actions. So, go forth and ripple away. Just be consciously aware of the exponential impact you can have!

Anita Pathik Law is a certified Franklin Covey Coach, CEO of www.dare-dreamers.com, founder of www.powerofmyway.com, and co-creator of www.thepowerofmywaymovie.com . Her book, The Power of Our Way: A Path to a Collective Consciousness, with a foreword written by number 1 bestselling author Dr. Joe Vitale is changing lives around the world. For FREE access to articles, music, and audio programs, visit www.powerofmyway.com today!

Related Links: