“A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.”

One of my favorite quotes owes its creation not to a world leader, professional entertainer or renowned orator, but to a humble baseball player from the 1940′s. Jackie Robinson didn’t set out to change the world, but by living his life in this simple, humble mindset, he left a legacy that continues to have a profound impact upon humanity today.

We all have the potential to become people of tremendous consequence. What often impedes us is not a lack of wealth, prestige, access or opportunity, but understanding. We misunderstand our own role. We underestimate the impact of our daily lives. We overlook the amazing breadth of our own influence. We downplay our importance to others, and ignore our own ability to make this home, town, country or world a better place. This isn’t just a sacrifice of self-respect, it is a forfeit of responsibility. There are some, however, who choose to walk a different path, and it is to them, whom the future belongs.

I am one who never sought to be a person of influence (and some would be quick to remind me that I am not). Nonetheless, my young life has rewarded me with a long list of very poignant and heartwarming memories. Tales of human triumph, stories of unlikely success, adversities overcome, friendships fostered, futures reclaimed; all memories earned through the simple and humble principle of engagement. I acknowledge that my role in life stands to effect others, and I embrace the importance of my daily interactions -regardless of how small. While the world may never come to view me as a “person of consequence”, I try to live my life in a consequential way.

“Far too many people willingly forfeit their legacy to the inconsequential utility of routine. The future is owned by those who recognize their own importance.” – Author’s Note

Many of us mistakenly look to other people, or other positions, as having more importance than we have ourselves. That simple falsehood is responsible for 90% of the world’s problems. Instead of diffusing or delegating consequence to others, we must make a commitment to embrace our own. More than an occasional good deed, this mindset is embodied within our daily routine. It is the manner in which we inhabit our role, and the seriousness with which we view our own legacy. It is a humble and simplistic acceptance of our responsibility to one another.

We become people of influence not simply by what we do, but by how we do it. Like fingerprints, our values are imprinted upon everything that we do. The secret lies in how we share ourselves; how our interactions convey those values. Jackie Robinson’s fame allowed him to influence millions of people at once. We see his icon and are instantly reminded of his legacy. You too have a legacy to share. You leave a piece of yourself with each and every person that you engage with. The challenge is to make a daily investment in the life of those with whom your path will cross.

Each morning, our alarm clock wakes us up to a seemingly endless list of requirements, responsibilities and obligations. We bounce from one thing to the next, dutifully checking tasks off of our list. At days end, we look back at what we’ve done, and plan ahead to the tasks waiting for us when the starter pistol goes off again. Rarely do we pause long enough to distinguish between “what” we did, and “how” we did it. Make tonight different. Make tonight the night that something as routine and arbitrary as your daily grind, becomes the means by which you share your legacy with the world. “A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives.” From now on, begin each day with the determination that your impact will be a big one.

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