So often, we look to impress rather than impact.

In my late teens, I was preparing for the CAT exam (which is an entrance exam into the premiere B-schools in India). The faculty who ran the coaching institute was impressive. He was a graduate from one of these B-schools. He spoke loudly, called everyone sweethearts, and used outlandish vocabulary and body language.

He was extremely impressive, so much that I remember him more than anything he ever taught. I had a lot of friends who were attending his classes. A handful of them went on to graduate from these premiere B-schools. 

Everyone remembers him, but nothing about what difference he made to their lives, which is hardly any.

Around the same time, there was a librarian in the university I went to. He used to remember everyone by name, notice what kind of books we read, and every time we went there, suggested new books similar to what we read. He used to tell us the times when the library was empty so we could read in peace. 

He was amongst the most unimpressive people I’ve met. No big personality, very down to earth, and pretty much like any normal person. But almost everyone I know from that time remember him for how he helped us.

These are two ways of being. So often, we look to impress rather than impact. We believe that if we impress, we will get noticed, we will get that promotion, or the new portfolio.

Today, while you are reading this, I want you to notice where you are trying to impress rather than impact. 

Not because one is better than the other. But because each way of being has a different impact on yourself, on how you feel, on how you experience life and on how you relate to your experiences. 

I want you to feel that difference and then choose for yourself.

With all my love,

Rishi