How we can positively influence others
The greatest inspiration you can ever get is to know that you are an inspiration to others. Wake up and start living an inspirational life today – Lisa Lieberman-wang.
Never underestimate your capacity to influence and inspire others. You influence them, either positively or negatively just by the way you live your life. If anyone has ever inspired you to change your life significantly, you understand the difference positive inspiration makes to a person’s life. I believe we can ALL do something to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Whatever your dream, if your attitude sees only why it can’t be done, it will never be done. When Lewis and I dreamed of Destiny Haven, we had no location, nor any financial investment.
However, we worked every day towards the dream. We achieved various degrees to prepare ourselves professionally. We were faithful to serve wherever we were planted and did that with an attitude of positivity and possibility. We chose to believe, even though our circumstances didn’t give us reason to (yet).
Often what holds us back from living inspired lives is that we aren’t driven to work towards our goals. Either they seem too far within reach or too big of a risk. However, as you are faithful to prepare and are willing to work hard with the right attitude, you also inspire others in their own journeys. It was thirteen years after we first dreamed of Destiny Haven before God released the dream to us. At any time in those thirteen years, we could have given up. We had many reasons to believe it could never happen. However, we faithfully worked towards it, despite setbacks. At the end of the day, all of us need to be able to look in the mirror and know we gave it all and didn’t compromise our beliefs.
I’ve learned that influencing others occurs without exception. We all know the influence a toxic, negative person can have on an environment. Kindness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. And, like love, the more you give, the more you find to give. Kindness inspires others to also be kinder, even the most bitter, angry person! I’ve also learnt to be more mindful, living present in each moment with the people around me. Mindfulness is such an antidote to stress, worry and living fearfully.
A few other keys I’ve learned to positively inspire others:
Genuinely caring about people with our words and actions goes a long way to inspiring them to do the same.
Never resign yourself to where you are. Dream big, dream crazy, dream as if there aren’t limitations and never settle for less if you want to inspire people that they, too can accomplish their dreams.
Enthusiasm and passion are contagious and when we reflect these every day, we project positive energy that is infectious.
Be trustworthy. Trust takes a long time to build but overnight can be destroyed. Sadly, I can’t say I’ve never betrayed a trust and it takes a long time to rebuild. Learn to be a trustworthy person, someone people can believe in.
No one likes criticism, if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say it. Instead, be a person who genuinely compliments others around you. If you are asked for input, deliver constructive criticism in a positive manner, also delivering what someone does extremely well.
We are all human and we all have glaring weaknesses, so learn to accept your shortcomings so people can relate to you on a deeper level.
Always acknowledge those who have contributed to your greatest successes. None of us can get anywhere in life without the influence of others, so show people you are humble and thoughtful enough to give credit where it’s due.
Many of us have a variety of ‘selves’ that come out depending on where we are and who we are with. Putting on a different mask for every group you’re with is exhausting and no way to inspire others. The most freeing gift I discovered was to love the person I am and embrace me in all my glorious messiness. When you learn to embrace your true self without apology you inspire others to want to learn to love themselves. You don’t inspire others by being perfect. You inspire them by how you deal with your imperfections. When you are living the best version of yourself, you inspire others to live the best version of themselves.
