You have within you the power to change the world.

My coach gave me a great, little book called The Butterfly Effect (How Your Life Matters). It came at the right time – it was one of those days that I was feeling ineffective.

Reading this book, I realized how off my thinking was going. It talks about the effects that one person can have on the world. Seemingly small, subtle interactions with people can have a great impact on them and spur them to greatness. While I can only guess how I’ve helped people change, I can think of a few people who have changed my life.

In grade school, I was a shy, sensitive kid, and scared to speak up in class. I was so nervous that I would get spontaneous nosebleeds in the middle of class, and have to go to the nurse’s office.

Sixth grade was tough. I was in my prime awkward stage, and to make matters worse, I had scoliosis and had to wear a back brace. I bet you can imagine how popular I was back then. I just about died when I heard that certain boys would never want to go out with someone who wore a brace.

My teacher, Mr. Phillips, was one of the first people who really encouraged me. He praised my writing, and urged me to participate in class – but not in a scary way. He made me feel like I was the smart person I really was, but didn’t feel like I was at the time. I may have even started to raise my hand.

I’ve been a writer ever since – I’m a professional writer as well as a coach. And in the early days when I started writing, I always remembered the encouragement that I got from people like Mr. Phillips – the people who believed in my abilities and encouraged me to develop them.

Your actions matter more than you realize. You can have a great impact on others. How can you be a butterfly for someone else?

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