An impact statement for life is concerned with defining those values which are most important to you and the wisdom you have gained through your experience. Once you are clear about these, you can go about systematically passing them along to others through your instruction and influence. This is a life of impact!

What is most important to you? Maybe you value honesty. You believe in being honest wherever possible and you think it’s important to say what you really think. When you don’t speak honestly, you feel disappointed in yourself. Or maybe you value kindness. You jump at the chance to help other people, and you’re generous in giving your time and resources to worthy causes or to friends and family.

Those are just two examples of personal values out of many. Everyone has their own personal values, and they can be quite different. Some people are competitive, while others value cooperation. Some people value adventure, while others prefer security. When considering your values, ask yourself questions like:

• If you could have any career without worrying about practical constraints, what would you do?

• When you’re reading news stories, what sort of story or behavior inspires you?

• What type of behavior makes you angry?

• What do you want to change about the world or about yourself?

• What are you most proud of? 

• When were you the happiest?

The values you want to pass along should not be a long, exhaustive list. Consider 2-3 key values that mean the most to you, and that you might find the opportunity to practice very frequently, even daily. Write these down, along with a few ways that you might demonstrate the value in your daily life. For instance, you might write, “Kindness: I try to speak kindly to others without raising my voice, and take the opportunity to ask them about their day.”  Some of these will be easier than others. For example, if you’re inspired by stories of successful entrepreneurs, maybe you value determination or achievement, or maybe it’s wealth and success. If you’re inspired by activists trying to change the world, maybe you value courage or integrity, or maybe it’s justice or peace. Try to examine what exactly it is about those stories or experiences that you relate to.

What have you learned through experience? Experience can be both positive and negative. Mistakes or missteps you have made may be as valuable as your successes. Wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge. You can very easily be acquainted with facts, truths or principles, but if you don’t apply this information to your life, you are actually the opposite of wise. Wisdom, especially spiritual wisdom, is not just about knowing what’s good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life.

There is a story in the Bible of a young king named Solomon who, after God offered him anything his heart desired, requested wisdom. In response to his wish, God said to Solomon:

Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked for long life—but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like (2 Chronicles 1:11-12). The fact that Solomon asked for not just knowledge but insight on how to apply the knowledge effectively, resulted in him being granted his request. God wants you to act wisely, to gain wisdom and to pass it down to others. Take time one afternoon to jot down some of the life lessons you have learned along the way. Think about how you treat others, how you interact in business, what your father and friends and colleagues have taught you. 

List your assets. In addition to what you value, and what you have learned, consider, too, what you have to work with. The assets here aren’t your bank balance and stock options. Rather, are you healthy and have good years ahead of you? Are you in a position of influence over others in your home, workplace and/or community? Do you have time you can invest in meaningful mentoring relationships—how many people at once, potentially?

Consider your goals. This may be the most difficult part. If your life goals today consist primarily of what kind of house you live in, where you want your kids to go to college, a bucket-list of travel ideas, or what your portfolio needs to be when you hit 65, then you’re going to miss your potential impact. Remember as a leader, your life’s greatest measure is achieved through the influence you have on other lives and other leaders. There’s nothing wrong with inward-facing goals for yourself and your family. But an impact goal is outward-facing. If you use the talents, resources, knowledge and abilities you now possess for the benefit of others, where could that lead? What kind of impact might you have in your community, on those you lead, on those you connect with regularly—even on your own family members? 

Now, connect the dots. Begin to form a statement about how your life can impact others. Start with what you value, and connect that to the difference those values can make in the lives of others. Consider the wisdom you possess, and how you can model that and pass it down. Then put a goal out there—what will living your life in this manner, and teaching other leaders the principles you believe in, lead to? The orange-lettered statement on this page is an example of an impact statement. It focuses on using kindness, generosity and concern for others to impact the world through example and instruction.

Remember, a statement has no impact. You may devote time to crafting a path to personal impact. But your life won’t make that leap until you begin to put the statement into practice. So, a final step is to consider your words, and what measures you will put into place on a daily basis to begin living it out. Are there values you can live every day—in this example, for instance, how can you be kind, charitable, encouraging, caring, each day? How can you involve others in generosity, concern for others and giving their best to these endeavors? This statement then leads to actions and activities that give meaningful weight to mere words.

The important thing is… This idea of an “Impact Statement” is just one way to reorient your leadership around impact and influence. You could develop this with your spouse, or take a leadership assessment like Leadership Company’s Personal Meta-Path, or attend a seminar, or read a great leadership tutorial. The important thing is to realize your potential impact, and start down a determined path to not just make decisions, but profoundly influence lives. Resolve that your life values are worth living out and passing on.