Recently a friend was sharing with me about a YPO University that he attended last year. One of his favorite talks at the event was on the subject of making an impact on the universe. The speaker shared a framework that he uses to help someone evaluate where they are on their journey. As a framework, it’s pretty straightforward with a series of nested circles that start with self, then family, then friends, then community, and finally universe.
Individually, we all start in the self circle and are focused inward on our own personal well-being. Over time, many people move out along the impact continuum to family and focus more on their spouse and kids, followed by helping their friends. With each circle comes more fulfillment and joy, as long as the inner circles are kept in balance. Positively impacting the community, and the rare person that impacts the universe, are the final two circles, and the most difficult to achieve. As entrepreneurs, there’s an even greater opportunity to help others and it’s a worthwhile exercise to evaluate personal impact on more levels than just scale and profitability.
What else? Where are you on the impact continuum and where would you like to be one day?
David Cummings on Startups 
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