Impress or Impact: Which One Matters More?

When it comes to making a lasting impression on others, there are two approaches you can take: you can try to impress them with your accomplishments and possessions, or you can aim to make a positive impact on them through your words and actions. But which one is more important in the long run?

To answer that question, let's look at a couple of examples.

First, imagine that you're at a job interview and you're trying to impress the interviewer with your resume and your fancy suit. You talk about all the impressive projects you've worked on and the awards you've won. You may leave a good impression on the interviewer, but will that be enough to get you the job? Probably not, if someone else comes along who can make a stronger impact by showing how they can bring value to the company and make a positive difference in the workplace.

On the other hand, let's say you're at a networking event and you strike up a conversation with someone who seems interesting. Instead of trying to impress them with your job title or your expensive watch, you listen attentively to what they have to say and try to find common ground. You share some of your own experiences and insights, and maybe even offer to introduce them to someone else who can help them with their own goals. In that case, you may not have made a big impression on them right away, but you've made a meaningful impact by being genuinely interested in them and showing how you can be a valuable connection.

So what's the moral of these examples? It's that making an impact is often more important than trying to impress people. Impressing others may get you some short-term benefits, like a job offer or a new connection, but it's the impact you make that will determine your long-term success and happiness.

And let's not forget the humor aspect of this topic. As the saying goes, "You can impress people from a distance, but you can only impact them up close." So if you want to make a real difference in the world, don't focus on trying to impress everyone you meet. Instead, focus on making a positive impact on the people who matter most to you, one person at a time. Who knows? You may end up impressing them in the process!

Impress from afar, impact up close - choose your approach wisely!