How To Know If You Are Making An Impact

I don’t know about you but I have weeks where it feels like it’s over even before I get a chance to breathe.  It’s during those times when I feel most overwhelmed.  I wonder, “Am I doing enough?” and “Am I making a difference?”

If you’ve been there you aren’t alone and it’s the trap that busyness will place on you.  To combat that feeling and really know whether or not you are doing enough you need to:

SEEK OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVES

While you are the leader you cannot be the only one evaluating what you do.  Build a team of a people:

• You trust to be honest
• Have experience or knowledge in the area you are evaluating
• Who not only discover problems but could find solutions

These individuals do not have to be in your ministry, but they have to have access to it.  Give them permission and listen to their findings.

MAP OUT THE PLAN

There are a few different ways to analyze a program, but never walk into a room and ask people, “What did you think?” without a plan to move from there.  If you just ask people to share their opinions you’ll get a set of opinions that might never unveil the answers you are seeking.

Develop a plan where you:

• Answer the question, “Why are we doing this?”  

• Make sure there are goals set in place and mile markers you want to reach.  

• Map out your plan to have specific areas that you will want to analyze.  

Lastly, make sure you are measuring weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities.  The clearer the plan the more you will set up your team and programs for success.

ANALYZE BEFORE THE EVENT

While it’s good to sit down after an event and pick it a part don’t be afraid to sit down during it and analyze your progress.  Answer questions like:

• Are we reaching our goals?

• What have we discovered that we didn’t know beforehand?

• Do we need to reach out and find further assistance?

These moments will allow you to grow stronger as you head towards your program.  It will guide you to make the best decisions to set you up for success.

If you want to know you are making a difference you need to make sure you have a system in place to answer the right questions.  The more intentional you are about measuring your progress the stronger your program will be.