The message I keep seeing about how to make an impact this year is: SET GOALS! GO BIGGER AND BETTER! DO ALL THE THINGS RIGHT NOW! 

That urgent push makes me feel drained before I start! 

Now, I’m all about unleashing our impact. But first, let’s look inward to see if we have the passion and energy it takes to follow through on bringing our greatness to the world  and  not burning out along the way. A good place to start is asking the questions:

• “What fuels me (gives me energy)?”
• “Am I on the right track to get where I want to go?”
• And, most importantly, “Do I understand and deeply appreciate the value I’m bringing to my readers, clients, and the world?”

Do you have a unique way to help people? 

Of course you do! That’s why you wrote a book (or want to). And so do all of the authors I work with. Like you, they’re motivated to make a powerful impact on the people who most need to hear their unique message. 

A great example is Megan Dougherty, author of Podcasting for Business. She’s passionate about helping people create podcasts that make a positive impact on their hosts’ businesses and on their listeners. So many podcast hosts want visibility or fame. But Megan asks them questions like: Is your podcast helping your business? Is it giving real value to your listeners? She knows that a podcast, when it’s well-planned and executed, can be a tremendous asset to businesses. 

Here’s what you can make your work even more impactful

Megan has a unique way of seeing into her clients’ businesses in ways that they often can’t see. But she had a blind spot when it came to expressing her own gifts. (Most of us do!) I saw her completely glossing over the special magic of her approach. 

The first iteration of her book outline looked like most other podcasting information I had seen. When I asked her, “Is this what your readers need? Is this what you teach your clients?”

She said, “No. They can get that information from all the other podcasting books out there. None of the other books teach what I teach—how to choose the right kind of show and how to serve your audience in a way that creates more business.”

Her method comes so naturally to her that she was about to relegate it to an afterthought. (We humans tend to believe everyone thinks the way we do.) When she saw it as the “secret sauce” that leads her clients to success, she made it the centerpiece of her book, which appeals directly to her favorite clients.

Megan completely rewrote her outline, showcasing how her approach helps owners grow their businesses through their podcasts. She also got excited, because that’s what gives her energy. 

When her ideal readers see the fun, playful addition to her cover, a label that reads, “Now with real math!” they know it’s the book for them. They feel seen. “Finally, someone gets me!” 

Megan makes an impact with her book by being her authentic self and standing out in a crowded market filled with conventional wisdom. 

Connect with your inner influence to unleash your impact

So how do new authors embrace what makes them unique and then be able to express that? Go grab a notebook, a pen, and a cup of whatever you like to drink. Let’s have some fun! It’s time to look inward so you can see the actual value that you add to the world.

Thoroughly understand the value that you bring to your clients. If you cannot clearly explain that value, look up these things and make a list:

• What do clients say about you in testimonials? 
• What do clients say when they refer someone to you?
• How do your colleagues, staff, and vendors describe you and your work? 
• List the kinds of breakthroughs people have with your assistance. 
• Now, go back and list how those breakthroughs happened. 

Understand how you connect or relate to your customers. To understand how you appear to your clients, try these steps. Make a list of your all-time favorite clients. Include things like:

• How you met them (networking, referral, lead magnet, etc.).
• Why they were great to work with.
• What you most enjoyed about working with them. 
• Now, go back and look at your work with these clients through their eyes. How did they find you great to work with? What did they most enjoy about working with you?

List what makes you good at what you do. These are what you bring to your business, specifically with clients:

• Skills
• Knowledge
• Talent
• Experience 

Now make a list of what makes you so passionate about what you do. 

• Why did you start doing what you’re doing now? 
• What does it mean to you to help others the way you do? 
• Why do you care so much about this that you changed your life in order to do it? 
• What transformation, impact, or legacy do you want to make?

I’m hoping that looking over your list fills you with positive energy, pride, excitement, and a clearer view of yourself as the awesome leader and impact-maker you are. Once you feel the clarity you’ve gained from these exercises, it’s easier to understand how you want to translate your unique greatness to your future vision and goals. 

Now that you’re full of energy, how do you want to make a positive impact this year?  

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Is  part of your purpose is to write a book? Then consider applying to join the waitlist for the next Unleash Your Inner Author Cohort.