Impact as the Before Not Afterthought

I have been on a blog reading tear this entire year. I follow some really good ones. They tell me how to write better, or how to de-clutter and be mindful, or how to tap the creative genius that lies within. The underlying why is generally the pursuit of self fulfillment and success. Most are written by this new generation of career rebels who have gained a measure of fame and fortune by creative content shared online via the multitude of mediums that now exist.

Okay, thanks for that. But if that’s the “real secret”, then why all the other stuff?

Because even though we know deep down that it is, we’d rather treat impact as an afterthought…or a byproduct along the road to success in whatever endeavor the blog is attempting to inspire.

But this blog is different. Revolutionary Misfit is not about motivating you to donate time at the soup kitchen, or point you toward any other mode of impact, or instruct you on how to do any of those things. That’s for you to decide and learn. Of course, if you have a passion to help the homeless, then donating time at the soup kitchen is a great way to have an impact. But it’s a personal choice only you can make.

No, this blog is about a change in mindset. You see, I believe “America” (I put that term in quotes because according to The Big US, it actually encompasses much more territory than the 50 U.S. states) is suffering from a disease of self-interest. It’s called “pursuit of the American Dream.” It sounds great…patriotic…almost makes you want to stand up, slap your hand over your heart and belt out the national anthem.

But there’s actually an insidious problem with it.

Below is a quote I read from a piece in Andrew Sullivan’s excellent and thought-provoking blog, The Dish. The piece was entitled What Inspires Altruism?…

Research indicates that money makes people more individualistic and less altruistic. In other words, as societies become wealthier, their citizens become more individualistic and depend less upon one another. Self-interest becomes the norm.

I don’t know about you, but for me that rings particularly true. I know it did in my own life for a long time.

This blog sets forth a novel idea for a concept called impact mindfulness. And impact mindfulness is a practice that suggests the opposite of what the quote states is the norm…it puts impact over self-interest. It promotes impact as the before not afterthought.

And it also suggests removing things that get in the way of our noticing universal calls to impact. Things like “small us” thinking and “impact blinders.”

In short, it is a mindset and a worldview…not a how-to, but a why-to.

And here’s the thing…there are plenty of historical examples of heroes whose lives exemplified this very concept. And they are some of the most beloved and famous among humanity.

On Tuesday of this week, December 10, four US presidents, royals, the pope, movie, rock and film stars and leaders from over 90 countries gathered with South Africans to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.

Mandela did nothing to seek fame or fortune (quite the opposite as his actions landed him over a quarter decade in prison)…his impetus was impact…pure and simple. And yet he is one of the most famous and beloved human beings that ever walked our planet.

The universe works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?

So while all those other blogs continue to discuss ways to get your slice of the “American” fame and fortune pie…this one will drone on about impact…

pure and simple.

photo credit: Rob – Road-Quest.com via Compfight cc