Preview Thursday: The 9 Dimensions of Conscious Success

We are pleased to present this excerpt from The 9 Dimensions of Conscious Success by David Nielson.

Impact Must Equal Intent

Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known. —Chuck Palahniuk, Invisible Monsters

My time growing up was fairly typical. My father worked for United Airlines in a variety of executive positions, rising up to becoming the assistant to the president. My mother was a homemaker and took care of three kids, two dogs, and one parakeet. Hard to say who had the tougher job, but I’d bet on my mom.

Both Mom and Dad were part of the “Greatest Generation,” having survived the Great Depression (1929–39). My dad was in the Army Air Corps during World War II. These nation and world events are significant because they shaped who they became and what they imparted to my sisters and me, which directly affected every success I’ve had in life.

Both of my parents took their roles seriously, shaping their kids to be independent, productive individuals. Like many parents and especially those of that generation, my folks clearly wanted a better life for their kids than what they had experienced growing up through the depression and war years.

One of the most powerful lessons my dad taught me was how to show up in life. I remember at a very early age, maybe six or seven, he began teaching me how to introduce myself. He lovingly but firmly told me, “When you meet someone, look them in the eye and shake their hand with a firm handshake—and with a clear, strong voice, tell them your name.”

I’ve never forgotten that advice, and it’s served me well. How you introduce yourself is the start of how people experience you. We’ve all heard the expression, “You only get one chance at a first impression.” It’s a pretty good idea to make that first impression a good one.

Whatever you choose to do in life, do it the very best way possible.

Another important lesson espoused by Mother and Father was that it doesn’t matter what you choose to do in life; but whatever you choose, try and do it the very best way possible. All of us kids started working at an early age.

The point is that I was fortunate to have a great influence from my parents about basic behaviors (how to “show up” in life), work, and a work ethic. To some degree today that is also true, but with both parents working in most families that influence is more of a challenge due to time constraints.

What I have learned through my success and through the interviews was how important the concept of how you “show up” truly is. How you show up, how you present yourself, is related to the impact you will make.

Some people mistake intent for impact. We want to make a great impression and stand out in the most positive light. The challenge is that your actual impact, based on how you show up, may not match your intent.

If you show up as a mess (I use this term to mean many aspects of your life) but want to impress people, your impact will surely fall short of your intent.

So, ask yourself: How am I really showing up? How am I presenting myself to others? Am I having the impact I really want to make?