My Impact Factor

When you start consciously thinking and doing little things to help people, you start to really appreciate the little things that people do for you, like when someone holds a door open for you, or stop in their car, so you can cross the road.

So that was the challenge I set myself yesterday.  Whilst I was walking to and from work I smiled at everyone I met.  Hopefully the the smile was infectious, and not everyone one thought I was a complete looney!  I also held open a few doors, and showed my work colleague how to do something on Microsoft Excel.

Helen Doherty

London, although having lived there for 4 years of my life, I don’t like it, but a smile goes a long way.  In crowds of people, a smile, or an apology for bumping into someone puts people in a slightly better mood.  Someone has made the effort to make contact in a commuter’s world.  We are not all robots.

I was only up in London for the day on a SEO seminar and I actually know more about SEO then I thought so I also helped myself acknowledge I’m on my way to being to a font of knowledge!  My Marketing Manager is well chuffed now, as he now knows for certain, that I am doing all the right things to make the company website get higher ranks.

Yesterday I had a migraine, so I wasn’t much help to anyone!

Helen Doherty

I belong to an active forum where people post questions relating to a certain niche I belong in.

I shared my experiences about ebay stores, which in this particular niche (t-shirt selling) did not work out for me too well. However I did let them know that away from ebay it’s been a good business and there is always room for more. T-shirts are a great way of conveying messages, ideas, artwork and more.

Trying to make an impact
Jerry from RunTheWeb.com Blog

Today I visited a website for web designers and reviewed someone’s website that was asking for help. I read through it without rushing and offered what suggestions I could.

I am always open to helping fellow marketers out whenever I can.

Jerry from the WebRunner Blog

Reading the Everday Giving Blog, Emails for Good post, I came across a Twitter from Dr Mani that I had missed from the 29th April, it read

“Seeing how it made me feel, I’ve decided to try and write one such email to people I admire everyday.”

From the moment I read the blog post and that Twitter, I made a decision to say thank you to people when I read something that resonates with me, and to people I admire.  So everyday I am making sure that I either Twitter my appreciation, email it, leave a comment on a blog or PM it.

Dr Mani and Roger Carr both got my Twitters of appreciation today, and it felt good to say thank you for inspiration and good blog posts that make you think.

Helen Doherty

I was at my parent’s house today to watch the FA Cup Final - a big event in the UK. Beforehand my Mother mentioned that she ‘had’ to wash the dogs this weekend, amongst the long list of other things she so unselfishly does for us. She went over to my sister’s home to do some decorating and I decided to wash the three dogs for her as a surprise and save her some trouble. It was fun.

Although the 3 dogs are only small (2 Jack Russells and a Border Terrier) they’re still a handful - even for a 37 year-old like me - let alone a 62 year old like my Mother. How she does the amount she does - and that I’m thankful for - I’ll never know.

It was fun and felt good to do my Mother a favor and surprise her by striking one tiresome chore off her to-do list for the weekend. It was also interesting to observe the different nature and response of each dog. One hates the water. Another enjoys it. And yet another is indifferent. 3 dogs in the same situation with 3 different responses.

My Mother knew immediately that I’d washed the dogs when they rushed to the door to greet her - without their collars on, smelling fresh and with slightly damp fur.

This was another way that the Impact Challenge made a difference. From this discipline of applying the challenge, I’ve learned that there are many more opportunities to help others - just by being acutely aware of the many situations where it is possible to extend a helping hand throughout the day.

Shaun O’Reilly

I had the opportunity to help two complete strangers today as I was out shopping. It’s a traditional way to help others and display manners (in the UK anyway). How? The simple act of opening a door to let another person pass before you.

The first happened early this morning as I went to the local bakery shop for some ‘cobs’ (you may more commonly know these as rolls or buns depending upon where you live).

As I left the shop, an elderly lady with a trolley was slowly making her way to enter. She was quite a way away, but I waited patiently with a smile on my face as she gradually got closer to the door. I bid her a hearty good morning and we both smiled.

The second stranger to get the ‘open door treatment’ was this evening as I was about to enter a special Fish & Chip shop in Nottingham (England). As I approached the door I could see a woman about to exit with a big bag of fish suppers in her hand. I opened the door and smiled as she went through.

In both cases, a simple gesture of opening a door and letting another pass before me was enjoyable - for both parties.

Shaun O’Reilly

Lent my copy of Shrek 3 out to a friend who loved the first and second one, but didn’t know the third one existed!  So I know that there will be shrieks (or should that be shreks) of laughter coming from that household today!  Glad to be of service!

Helen Doherty

Cooking me and my husband nice meals helps us by giving us the energy to physically help others, and think of ideas how we can help others.  Last night we had egg and bacon pasta salad and it was divine!

I have to admit I am really enjoying this challenge and will carry it on far beyond the required 7 days.  The most challenging bit is actually finding new ways to help people everyday.  I mean there are several actions I take everyday to help people, like visiting the Hunger Site and Free Rice site, but I feel I can’t write about those everyday, so I actively look for new ways to help people.

I’ve just had the last week off my 9 to 5, so I should be able to find a whole new array of things I can do for people next week, when I’m out and about more next week.  But that still leaves another 4 impacts to make this weekend . . .

Helen Doherty

A fellow forum member posted an urgent request for help on their latest idea.

Although I’m pretty busy getting my own project completed for next week, I still spent a while giving a thoughtful and hopefully useful reply.

I like sharing my experience with others if I feel it will help them and especially they’ve asked for specific assistance too. I feels good to help out whenever I can.

Shaun O’Reilly