Why Your Everyday Impact Matters More Than You Think
Ever Wake Up and Wonder Why You Do What You Do?
Some mornings, I wake up and ask myself that exact question. Maybe you do too. Whether you’re in a position you chose or one that was chosen for you, you always have the power to decide the lens through which you view your life.
Every day, we have an opportunity to make an impact on the people around us. That impact might be small or significant — a brief interaction or a lasting influence. The truth is, we often don’t realize the reach of our presence or the ripple effect of our actions. The choice to make that impact positive or negative is ours, no matter our circumstances or title.
Lessons From the Classroom
In addition to my clinical work, I also have the privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor for a graduate social work program based in Boston. Each week, I meet bright, dedicated students early on Monday mornings (even earlier for those on the west coast!).
For fourteen weeks, we navigate course material together through live sessions and weekly assignments. The feedback is minimal, the discussions are thoughtful, and the learning unfolds quietly. It’s not until the final class, when I post an anonymous poll asking what the students have learned about themselves — not the content, but who they are — that the impact becomes clear.
Fourteen weeks later, after months of planning and teaching, I see their growth. And in that moment, I remember why I do what I do. No matter the long hours or early alarms, that reminder makes it all worthwhile.
Seeing the Impact You Already Have
What area of your life might you be overlooking — or minimizing — your own impact? Maybe it’s the way you show up for your coworkers, your friends, or your family. Maybe it’s your kindness to a stranger, or the encouragement you give someone who needed it that day.
We all have influence on those around us, whether we realize it or not. And we all get to choose how we use it — to build up or to break down, to connect or to withdraw. The smallest gestures often leave the biggest marks.
There are people in my life who have shaped me profoundly — and most will never know the full extent of their impact. That’s the beauty and mystery of being human: our lives intersect in ways that can change one another forever.
Be the Change
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Sometimes that change is visible — and sometimes it’s felt quietly, in moments we’ll never even know about.
No matter your age, title, or circumstance, don’t minimize the influence you have. You never know whose life you’re touching just by being who you are.
If you find yourself doubting your purpose or struggling to see your own impact, therapy can help you reconnect with what gives your life meaning. And if you’re holding yourself to unrealistic standards, my free Perfectionism Workbook is a gentle guide to help you release those expectations and rediscover self-compassion.
Your life — and your impact — matter more than you think.
If you’re ready to dig deeper into your story and start showing up as your most authentic self, therapy can help.
I offer online therapy for helping professionals, busy professionals, and therapists who are ready to reconnect with their worth and live with greater balance and clarity.
Learn more about online therapy with Melissa Russiano or schedule a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
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