“Never underestimate the valuable and important difference you make in every life you touch, for the impact you make today has a powerful rippling effect on every tomorrow.”

~ Leon Brown

Meaningful impact often feels like something reserved for big stages, bold achievements, or world-changing ideas. But in reality, the difference we make is usually built in quieter ways every day, through the choices we make, the energy we bring, and the actions we take.

Whether in your work, your goals, or the way you show up for others, small intentional steps have a way of creating influence that reaches further than you might ever realize. Here’s how it has manifested in my career… plus a few ideas for making impact in your own way. Watch the video, and read the blog for a deeper dive, then answer the questions I’ve shared.

What you’ll learn:

Making meaningful impact doesn’t require fame or massive achievements. It begins with clarity about what matters, the energy to follow through, and small actions taken consistently. When your goals align with your values and you take even imperfect steps forward, your influence grows and impact ripples outward, often in ways you may never fully see.

I find it hard to believe, but January 2026 marked the start of my twentieth year as a full-time Professional Speaker and Coach. Twenty years!!

I can remember the day, so long ago, when I made the decision to walk away from the security of a regular pay cheque toward … I don’t know what …more? At the time, all I knew for sure is that I was disenchanted with the day-to-day grind of a J.O.B. that no longer felt fun, or inspiring.

Back then, I was mostly living hand-to-mouth, even though I had a master’s degree and was good at what I did… plus, I was stuck growing someone else’s dream.

What I craved was to create something on my own; to shape my part-time speaking interest into a full-time speaking career … to make meaningful impact for myself, and my future audiences and clients, and have fun doing it.

Taking the Leap

So, on January 8th, 2006, I leapt. Scared, of course, but brimming with possibility. It hasn’t always been easy, but when you’re driven by purpose, the lows are just part of the learning.

What I love is that my career as a professional speaker and coach is different every day. I get to unleash my ideas in creative ways. I get to meet interesting people and visit interesting places across the globe.

Fast forward 20 years and I can happily say, that despite the roller coaster ride that is self-employment, I never regretted my decision.

I guess it’s no surprise then, that when I speak to audiences about driving success to higher levels, I talk about the necessity of goals that are clear and exciting to you, because impact requires energy, and you won’t find that in half-cooked dreams.

So, this week I’m kicking off a series of blogs around making meaningful impact; in the work you do, with your personal goals, with those long-held ideas and plans that might need some light and oxygen to bring them back to life.

 

“Meaningful Impact” Defined

We hear phrases like these all the time: Do something meaningful. Leave a legacy. Make an impact! But what does that really mean in everyday life?

For most of us, meaningful impact isn’t about massive achievements or headline-grabbing success (or it shouldn’t be anyway). It’s not about becoming famous, building a global brand, or launching the next billion-dollar idea.

More often, meaningful impact shows up in smaller, quieter ways.

It’s the teacher who helps a struggling student rediscover confidence, the manager who creates a workplace where people feel respected and capable, the parent who models resilience and curiosity for their kids, the entrepreneur who builds something useful, helpful, or inspiring.

Meaningful impact then, is influence that improves something for someone. Sometimes that “someone” is a large audience, sometimes it’s a team, sometimes it’s just one person.

And sometimes, the first person whose life changes is our own.

 

Impact Starts with Clarity

Yes, we make an impact by taking action, but before you take that first step, you need to know which way you’re going. Meaningful impact has to begin with clarity: Clarity about what matters to you, about what kind of difference you want to make, and about the direction you want your energy to flow.

Without it, we can stay very busy, but rarely will we feel fulfilled. We end up chasing goals that look impressive but don’t actually light us up.

When I left my job twenty years ago, I didn’t have a perfect plan, but I had one powerful piece of clarity: I wanted my work to matter. I wanted to energize people. I wanted to help them think differently about their potential.

That clarity gave my efforts direction. It was, and still is the compass that keeps my impact from becoming random activity. Read this blog for more information on setting clear goals: 5 Signs Your Goals Lack Clarity (and How to Fix Them) – Michelle Cederberg

 

Impact Requires Energy

Of course, impact requires energy. Not just physical energy, though that always matters, but mental, emotional, and even creative energy.

You simply cannot create meaningful impact when you’re running on empty.

This is why I talk so often about energy as a driver of success. When we feel depleted, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin, we default to survival mode, and just trying to get through another day, and it’s hard to make meaningful impact from that space.

Impact grows when you have the capacity to think clearly, connect with people, and follow through on the ideas that matter most.

Which means caring for your energy isn’t selfish. It’s strategic.

 

Impact is Built Through Small Actions

I’m a motivational speaker who proudly says, “Go small!”

Impact, especially in a busy life, is the result of small actions repeated consistently.

One helpful conversation. one thoughtful decision, one brave step toward something that matters.

Over time, those small actions compound.

A single keynote might spark an idea for someone. That idea becomes a change in behavior, which influences a team, which changes the culture of a workplace.

Impact ripples.

You rarely see the full effect of it in real time.

 

Start Where You Are

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That sounds great Michelle, but I have no idea where to start”, here’s the good news. You can ‘go small’, and start where you are.

Ask yourself three simple questions:

1. What do I want that I’m not getting?
   Which ideas, goals, or contributions genuinely excite you?
2. Who could benefit from the best version of me?
   Your clients, your colleagues, your community, your family.
3. What is one small step I could take this week?
   Not next year. Not someday. This week. Let go of perfection, so you can GO.

 

Reflecting on Impact

Looking back over the past twenty years, I realize something important. Impact isn’t a destination you eventually arrive at; it’s something you build day by day, through choices that align with your energy, your values, and your actions.

Some days the progress will feel big, some days it will feel microscopic, but forward movement is forward movement. Imperfect action is actually perfect.

Decide that what you do, and how you want to do it, and then take a step. Onward!