CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE: Becoming Influential

Are you influential?

Jose' Andres

Rebecca Brewster

Majora Cater

Maria Hinojosa

Stacy Spikes

David Platt

Each of these individuals have been recognized as being influential in their respective industries and in American society in general.  They have a degree of name recognition,
power, and prestige that is priceless.  We see their impact in business, politics, television/radio, and humanitarian concerns.  But did you ever stop to think about your influential power?  In what areas or with which groups of people can you (or do you already) make a difference?

Influence is something that people acquire through networking, economic status, social status, work ethic, or reputation.  Some are born with influence, while most others must earn it.  Children as young as two-years old begin to recognize influence and respond to it in various ways.  As teenagers and young adults our whole lives may be built around becoming influential

or having the influential people notice us.  American media thrives on telling us who has influence, how to increase our influence, or why we do not have enough influence.

The truth is, we have influence over others before we ever come out the womb.  Our parents made life changing decisions the moment they realized we were a part of their lives.  Within our social groups, influence may be called peer pressure.  Our peers can be positive or negative influences in our lives, just as we can be to them.  Within our careers we can influence the atmosphere of the workplace, the productivity of our various departments, or the experience of our customers.  

The point is, no matter who we are, how old we are, where we come from, or how much money we have, we are all individuals of influence.

One of the key goals of Project 611 is to help people recognize their circles of influence and then broaden them.  These circles can be with family, friends, work, church, neighborhood, or any number of occasions where social exchanges take place.  Having a hard time thinking of your circles of influence?  Just look through your Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ friends.  This is a readily available list of your circles of influence.

To increase our influence we must begin to do two things: 

1. increase our talent and skill level; and 

2. reach out beyond our current circles of influence.

Increasing our talent and skill level involves having the desire and will to learn more.  Read more.  Spend more time with those who are more skilled and talented than we are currently.  Continue our education. Attend workshops, lectures, seminars (online, in person, for free, or for a fee).  In whatever ways we choose to do it, we must continually develop our craft and never become outdated.

Reaching beyond our current circles of influence may involve stepping out of our comfort zones.  We don't have much influence in our neighborhood?  Spend more time outside and speak to neighbors when we see them.  Want to increase our influence at work?  Join a committee or volunteer for a project.  Have a desire to create a circle of influence in politics?  Become an active member of a community organization or local school board.  There are thousands of ways to reach beyond our circles.

The Bible teaches us that we are to be people of influence.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16, ESV)

I challenge everyone to determine their circles of influence, create a stronger presence within them, and begin to reach beyond them.