We sometimes talk about impact like it’s a done deal. That once you realize the impact you want to have, all that remains is to execute the steps to have it, like a to-do list.

It’s not that simple.

Impact calls you on a deeper level.

If impact were just about taking action, you would have had that impact already. As my reader, I know you’re a do-er, someone who commits and moves to accomplish goals.

Your deep, profound, compelling impact, the impact you may not even have fully defined yet, is calling you to become the person, the impactful leader, you need to be in order to have that impact.

Oof. Let that land within you.

That you is still in the becoming. And it’s as much the work of impact as the to-do list.

That which is deeply calling you on a cellular level is not just your impact, your contribution. It’s who you are becoming as you move toward your impact.

Who you need to become to have the full flower of impact that you want to have is as much your work as exploring and defining that impact.

I won’t lie to you. This work of becoming is not easy. It means stumbling. It means letting go. It means struggling to define who you need to be.

I struggle with this too. Sometimes mightily. Sometimes like a whimpering puppy.

That’s only human.

Because my designated family job was to make my mother feel better for continuing to live her unhappy, unrealized life (and impact), I used to take on making other people feel better like it was my job too. In discovery calls, I would catch myself problem-solving, wanting to help my potential client feel better.

When I let this get out of hand, they did feel better, temporarily bandaged, and off they went. When that happened, what I contributed to was depriving them of the chance to do the deeper work with me that would have effectively and substantively addressed what was preventing them from having the impact they desired. When I forgot what my job really was, to call forth the deep work, I temporarily robbed them of the opportunity to work with me to become who they needed to be to have their impact.

This has been part of my becoming.

I’m still becoming the fullness of who I can be to support and inspire you even more to change the world. I’m becoming better and better at being the one you can lean on, who doesn’t rob you of the blessing of experiencing your frustration and upset, and supports you in the work of becoming.

You have your own becoming. You’ll have things that are special to you, because of your family history or personal experiences or fears.

You can work through all of that to have the impact you want to have.

I know this to be true, because I’ve seen it many, many times. I’ve experienced it myself. Seemingly insurmountable inner obstacles overcome. Reactive habits broken and set aside. Self-images changed, to reveal the beautiful truth of who you are.

That’s how I know that working through these things is possible, and that it’s ongoing. And you can have more and more impact as you’re becoming.

Why do it? Why do this work? Because it is the becoming of the person you need to be to have the impact that you want to have, that your soul is calling you to.

Along the way, there is joy. Connection. Adventure. Delight. Love. All the things that make you sing.

This is not for the faint of heart. This is for the brave. This is for the resourceful. This is for the persistent. This is for you.

Live your impact fully. Don’t rob yourself of this blessing. Do the work of becoming the one, because you and only you can have the impact you are called to have. The impact you are here to lead. The impact we need you to have.

You are the one you’ve been waiting for. Become the one.

Author's Bio: 

Ursula Jorch is a speaker, business coach and consultant who helps entrepreneurs grow a successful business that makes a difference in the world. A 21-year successful entrepreneur herself, Ursula helps you define the difference you want to make in the world and develop strategy and marketing so you have ever-expanding impact.

Find Ursula on her podcast, Work Alchemy: The Impact Interviews where she interviews impactful entrepreneurs and leaders like Seth Godin and Marianne Williamson, and at WorkAlchemy.com for free resources for you and your business.

This article was originally published at https://www.workalchemy.com/becoming-impactful-leader and has been syndicated with permission.