I want to contribute to something important.

January 9th, 2025 by Kelly Kienzle

“I want to contribute to something important.”

This goal, as described by Adam Grant, rings true for me. I can set goals, define KPIs, make commitments and articulate aspirations.  But all of that work boils down to this one simple desire: I want to contribute to something important.

Is that your goal too?

How much do you want to look back in 12 months and see that you contributed to something important?  Are there any other goals that don’t ultimately roll up to this one single goal?

Me either.  I just want to contribute to something important.

Keep it Undefined

I don’t even feel a need to define what that important something is.  Because I have little power to manifest, by myself, something important.  Instead, I want to be ready for whatever shape this important thing may take.

How can I be ready?  I can stay alert, open and courageous enough to notice when important opportunities come my way.  I can hone my skills so I can contribute to the important something.  I can ask my community what is important to them and how I can contribute.

In fact, I rather like the idea of a surprise “important something.”  I like not knowing what that important thing or things will be that I will contribute to this year.

Be Ready

I simply can be willing, ready, and able to contribute.  And that is enough.

What E.L. Doctorow said about writing is also true about life-planning: It’s “like driving at night in the fog.  You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

If you can see something important in your headlights, let others know.  They, too, would probably like to contribute to something important.