Episode #40 - Making an IMPACT!

Episode Notes: 

Ever had someone say or do something to you, or for you, that totally shifted your attitude, changed mindset or the way you look at things?

Have you noticed the drastic change in your life, or your outlook on life, from a world event, natural disaster, birth of your child, change of career or something as simple as getting your driver’s license?

Join us this week, as we discover the variety of ways we are “impacted” by the events & people around us in our lives, realize the amount of impact we make on those in our life, and through my little golf story... how we can always choose to make positive “impacts” on others!  

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Transcript

Episode #40 -Making an IMPACT!

Today I want to talk to you about IMPACT, not like when someone stops too quickly in front of you on the expressway and your front bumper impacts their vehicle or when you bang your knee into your kitchen table… no, that would be the physical impact of two objects… I’m actually talking about how we, as individuals, impact the lives of those around us with words and deeds, and conversely, we are also impacted by others.

Sometimes purposefully, with intention (like if you’re a teacher, instructor, motivator or you’re scolding your child for doing something wrong) … and sometimes we have no idea how much we may impact another (like we make an offhanded comment about someone’s appearance or quality of their work, and it completely destroys their entire day, or they go home and take it out on their spouse or kids?)

Impact also comes in the form of natural-occurring or manmade events… for example, any major weather-related event in recent history (flooding in Louisiana, wildfires in California, hurricanes in Florida, Texas or up the East Coast) have massive impact on personal property and quality of life, as well as financial impact to most residing in that area. 

Think about the devastating negative impact from large-scale events like The Great Depression, 9/11 or COVID-19 along with countless others, that effect or impact millions of lives for many years to come.

There are also the positive impacts of life-events such as the birth of your child, your first real job, turning 16 and getting a drivers license, turning 18 and having the right to vote, or enlist in the military, turning 21 and finally being recognized as an “adult” … right??   ha ha… graduating from college or being able to retire from a job or your career at 62.

There are also the negative impacts in life like of loss of employment, the death of a loved one, divorce, incurring a major injury or being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Although we don’t really think about it, we are impacted daily by events and people around us, sometimes positively…. Sometimes negatively. 

Sometimes within the control of ourselves and those around us… sometimes totally out of our control, or in natures or God’s or the Universe’s hand.

While there is many types and directions from which life impacts us, what I truly want to help all of you with, is understanding the WHY, the WHAT and the HOW of impacting others in a positive way... a way that improves or enhances the lives of those around us, as well as our own lives. Making a positive impact on someone else, I believe is kind of baked into our DNA. It is not always clear to us in our younger years (although there has been some amazing examples of young kids, teens and 20-somethings, doing extraordinary things that help or inspire others), but it seems to find it’s way to the surface in us, more often, as we mature (nice way of saying getting older, right??).

I was reminded of how important, powerful, easily accomplished and random; impact can be during a recent golf trip up north this past weekend.

This outing impacted me profoundly in a few different ways.

If you’re listening to this show, I will take the risk of assuming you know of some of the most well-known & influential leaders in modern times; Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Tony Robbins, Oprah and many more have had well-documented, undeniable positive impact on millions of people, possibly changing the trajectory of their lives… that’s easy, because they are so well-known… but then there’s others like John Waker…. So, who is John Waker & why is he relevant to this story?... simple…

For the last 20-some years, John Waker was the chairman for the Buttons Invitational Tournament, a group of roughly 25 men that decided some 36 years ago to get together for a weekend of friendship, fun and golf in the beautiful Northern part of Michigan’s lower peninsula… but with the strong desire and dedication to raise money to help a few local Detroit charities, to give back to others less fortunate than themselves… to make an impact.

John Waker was not a man of large stature, hell... he only stood about 5-6 or 5-7, but his presence was larger than life, and he was one of guys that when he met you for the first time, he would look you dead-straight in your eyes, shake your hand firmly and ask you something about yourself, and remember you & reference that something a year later when he saw you again. John was also an ex-Marine, and even though he was probably in his mid-70’s, you just knew this man would not take any shit from anybody! His military training was still well in place, as he instituted and followed to a tee… processes and procedures through the course of the outing… everything, including the singing of our National Anthem, was always right on schedule! 

Holy Shit!... talk about someone that makes an impact on everyone he meets…. There was no doubt, this man made an incredible impact on people!

Well, this invite-only tournament continues to grow every year, and I was invited to attend by one of my customers (whom is a member) several years ago, and have attended every year since, with a few of my team mates. 

After experiencing the quality of the men that belonged to that group, the dedication to helping others, their treatment of each other, the amount of love, respect & friendship they shared was something I’ve never been fortunate to be part of… even the way they made their guest attendees feel welcomed, there was no way I would miss being part of such a great & meaningful event. (they actually have a “green coat” presentation each year for one member that has gone above & beyond in their philanthropy and impact made)

This group & it’s function truly made a lasting impression… an impact on me, that will not be forgotten. 

Now, much like most other pre-planned events, the 2020 outing, after much scrambling, was cancelled. On top of that, the beautiful course they had always secured for over 30 years had been sold over the winter, and Buttons would have to find a new “home” for their outing… and that wasn’t the worst of it… as 2020 did to so many, it took an important, impactful man from this world… John Waker, the one that ran this wonderful event, that meant so much to so many, passed from cancer in early spring 2020… and would not be able to have a funeral or memorial due to COVID.

The impact from that was devastating to not only Waker’s family and friends, but the whole Buttons organization…. 

As 2021 brought some relief to all of us & a loosening of all the restrictions we lived with for over a year, a new leader stepped up, choose a beautiful new course within a few miles of the original venue… scheduled the date, and Buttons was back on, complete with a touching memorial that included John’s whole family coming up to the gold course, having several Buttons members talk about John and capping it off with the military signature. TAPS!

So, the last piece of this trifecta of impact came during the outing itself. 

There was such a demand & a thirst for this outing, that it was sold out in short order and to run a smooth event, accommodate all the anxious golfers, and not have it last forever, they doubled-up the tee boxes with 2 sets of 4-somes.

Now for anyone that has golfed before, usually the last thing you want to do is have 8 golfers at every tee… and most of us cringe at the thought of golfing with 4 strangers for the whole day… it’s awkward, it can make you anxious and not play as well... I mean let’s face it, you want to just golf with the 3 players you picked for your 4-some, you don’t know what you’re going to get with another 4 guys… they could be quiet introverts that don’t interact…they could be loud-obnoxious drunks… or way-too-serious “professionals” that want to tell you everything that’s wrong with your game… or some other nutjobs that just make the day less than enjoyable…. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?!

So, as we rode up to first tee, on a gorgeous – sunny – northern Michigan morning, we decided that regardless of whom we got partnered with, we would make the best of it, be the best versions of ourselves & try to make it as enjoyable as possible.

When we got there, we met our golf-mates… 4 fellas in their mid-70’s (a bit older than my 4-some) that had been Buttons members for several years... we hadn’t even gotten out of our carts yet, and they walked right over, introduced themselves, shook our hands and made a couple quick jokes! 

That simple gesture, not only made a great impact on us, but set the tone for the day.

As the day went on, we not only were interacting positively with this group, but we were going over & beyond… helping them find their lost balls, cheering them on when making a good shot, or a good putt and making them feel special & important.

By the end of the round, each person in that 4-some, had told everyone of us, that in all the years golfing with others in this Invitational, they never had such a great time, nor enjoyed the company of another 4-some, more than they did with us that day!

In fact, at the banquet & raffle event that evening, they went as far as to tell the new chairman (my customer that had originally invited me) that they want our 4-some locked-in to golf with them next year… then they tracked us down to let us know & remind us again what a fantastic day they had with us.... WOW!

Now that must have been some serious impact, we made on them that day… but we were also impacted by the great day those older fellas made sure WE had!

Now if you’re not a golfer, let’s be perfectly clear… I’m not going to apologize for the long golfing story, as it just happened to illuminate several examples of how impacting others may be realized.

As you know, the reason why I spend my personal time to create, record & produce this podcast every week… for FREE… is in the hopes that I can make a positive impact on YOU, and maybe you’ll share the message with others and you help can impact them!

I feel we are all put on this planet to make a difference, to bring our talents, skills, gifts and minds to others around us, to contribute and improve life wherever we can, and I’m just trying to do my best to be a positive impact.

I know all of us in the collision industry would like to see more impacts being made… you know, the nice repairable $8-12k front enders or rear-enders with lots of OEM parts, right?... but what I’m suggesting all of you listeners do, is try to be aware of the impact you may be making on those around you… you can choose if those are positive or negative impacts, it takes the same amount of time and energy, but most people have had enough negative impacts in their lives in 2020, so why not try to make a positive one whenever possible… it just may start a chain of events that finds it’s way right back to you! 

 Rick Selover 

Founder & Host of The Mind Wrench Podcast 

www.rickselover.com