Circles of Influence

Within the Influence leadership team, we ladies are always asking ourselves and each other, What will you do with the circles of influence God has given you?

It’s such a fun, challenging question. My first response used to be to refer to my online endeavors. Who’s reading my blog? Who’s writing me emails, replying to my tweets, liking my Instagram photos? How can I build more of that without losing touch with the ones already following? What does it look like to be intentional and still ambitious? Oh wait, we’re talking circles in the plural form. That means my kids, right? And the people at work, and at church? Good gracious… what will I do with the circles of influence God has given me?

It only took me a few weeks to awaken to the truth. It doesn’t matter how big or small my circles are, or how visible. The ages of the people in my circles don’t matter, nor do their life experiences. The kind of feedback, statistics, or accolades I receive don’t matter. At the end of the day, all that matters is what I do with my circles. 

These days, my circles feel like they’re shrinking. My family requires more of me each day, which means some of the online time commitments get pushed aside. I’ve set a few personal goals at work, ones that involve more independent work and less teaching and interacting. I’ve stepped down from my biggest responsibilities at church, in order to help them develop a social media campaign in my free time at home. It sort of feels like I’m floating through this season of influence without much of a circle at all.

Here at the Influence Network, It’s my job as forums manager to make sure members get what they need from our message boards. I log in regularly with the intention to observe, encourage, and lead. I like to think of myself as a hole-filler. Lately, though… I’ve been logging in to soak up, be encouraged, and follow. It’s my holes that are being filled. These ladies give me so much, just with their online presence. The way they interact with one another is life-giving. I’ve learned how to navigate some of the more challenging parts of blog design, and how to love on families considering adopting. I’m in the process of discussing accountability and spending habits with a few girls who are so much more brave than I’ll ever be. I’ve seen firsthand how dark moments can be made light again, just by opening up and receiving support from sisters across the country.

It’s becoming abundantly clear that right now, I’m supposed to be influenced by my circles of influence. And you know what I’m learning in the process? That a season of being influenced is part of the greater picture, of my ability to influence in return.
So keep it up, y’all. You’re doing a phenomenal job.