“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
– Jane Goodall
Do you have a specific way to make a difference?
I don’t.
I have a general direction but no specific one-big-thing that I’ve always known I’ve wanted to do. I don’t think I’m alone in that feeling. I also don’t feel bad or worried about it.
Jane Goodall has a singular passion for primates but I don’t think her quote is advocating you have to know your one-big-thing.
I believe this quote is about the philosophy of life you hold. Are you on the lookout for yourself only, or do you look out for others along the way? Is your intention to make a selfish difference or a less-self difference?
If you’re intention is to ‘harm no others’ and at the same time make a buck or two for yourself. Go ahead!
I do think that knowing your philosophy of life and keeping that central to how you act, interact, and react to others is what will show the kind of difference you want to make.
If you know what your passion is then, ‘Great! I’m happy for you!’ Knowing this will obviously help to direct your decisions but – you still need to decide what kind of difference you want to make.