How do we unfold our impact?

I'll start with an intriguing question in the title. A challenging question that certainly cannot be answered quickly. To find an answer to this question, we must first consider what effectiveness actually means and how it can be recognised. Let's give it a try.

Effectiveness is such a broad term. It could refer to your ability to get things done, your reach, your efficiency. This umbrella term covers everything that is bigger than yourself and goes beyond the limits of normal activity. It therefore has a forward-looking component. A directional arrow that points to greater realisation in real life.

Why do we want to be effective in the first place? That is a completely different question. I believe that it is human nature and that we only feel good when we feel that we are making progress and, in the best case scenario, doing something for others and society. People love to give, even if it often doesn't seem that way. But they can only do so when they are not in survival mode or experiencing deprivation. Giving actually has nothing to do with money. But as soon as we are in a state of constriction, we hold on to everything, even a seemingly simple gesture of giving. Being generous, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. It gives us a feeling of warmth, belonging and abundance. Do you know that feeling when you give someone a gift and they are happy about it, and it feels really good? Often we are even happier than the recipient themselves.

I believe we are highly effective when what we do is imbued with a certain energy. It's like an invisible component that no one talks about. That certain mysterious ‘extra’. Because we humans do a lot every day. But doing a lot doesn't necessarily mean being truly effective. For me, effectiveness is not just about efficiency, because a robot could do that better than us. Then we humans would no longer be needed.

We like to follow real people rather than machines, people we can identify with and who reflect what we would like to have or do. They are particularly effective when they stand for what they convey with flesh and blood. When they embody it. They are living proof that what they talk about really works. We believe them, and that brings us a good deal closer to what we want. People who previously did not take action suddenly spring into action because they feel motivated. They feel understood and no longer alone, and see themselves as part of something bigger. Something that was previously ‘strange’ becomes normal – and that empowers us to do much more. We stretch our mental boundaries.

A single individual becomes a group, and a movement emerges, a momentum in a certain direction. For me, that is true effectiveness.

And how do we achieve it? By listening, to ourselves and to others. What do we really want? And who is already a step ahead in what we want, so that we can join forces with like-minded people and learn from them?

Since I have been getting closer to people who suit me and have shown me new perspectives, new opportunities keep arising. The directional arrow is becoming more and more finely tuned. Even other people are now coming to me and want to learn from me. Do not underestimate the power of this magnetic, invisible force that you also carry within you! It unfolds when you have found your North Pole, towards which the pointer can be directed. And this results in power and clear action.

So, now we've talked enough about effectiveness and it's time to wrap things up. If you're wondering how to increase your own effectiveness, I would answer that question quite simply: you've just read this article. Just see what sticks and let things sink in. We don't always have to do something right away; awareness and remembrance are the first step.

What does it mean for you to be effective? When was the last time you felt that way? In what situation was that? What exactly did you do? How do you measure your effectiveness? When do you perceive other people as effective? What exactly do they do? And how did that affect you? Did you feel more capable, motivated and clear-headed afterwards? What would be a good next step towards greater effectiveness for you?