5 Ways to Make an Impact - Now
- Sophia Chin
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
2025 came in swinging. A new world leader, economic uncertainty and tightening budgets mean leaders don’t have time for wishful thinking.
They need impact — now.
Deals are harder to win. Resources are stretched thin. The stakes are high.
In this environment, working harder won’t cut it. You need to work sharper, cut through the noise and make things happen — now.
This isn’t about grinding. It’s about precision. The smartest, simplest moves win.
If it ain't easy, make it as easy as you can.
But let’s be honest. Under pressure, most people don’t rise to the occasion — they freeze, overcompensate or drown in anxiety work (keeps them feeling busy but doesn't drive results). They get stuck in the Drama
Triangle — playing the Victim (“I have no control”), the Hero (“I have to fix everything”) or the Villain (“This is a disaster”). The brain locks into threat mode, survival instincts take over, and suddenly, high-functioning professionals are spinning their wheels instead of surging forward.
It's not that high-impact leaders don’t fall into the Drama Triangle. They do, every day. But they have the self-awareness to spot when they’re slipping, shift gears and take control — fast. They don’t wait. They don’t hesitate. They act. Here’s how.
1. Lock in on what really matters - right now
Think big, act big, and you'll grow smaller. Instead, think big, act small, and you'll grow bigger.
Default mode: Most professionals are reacting, not leading. They waste time checking off low-value tasks, reacting to emails and firefighting (WOLF: Working On The Latest Fire). They mistake motion for progress. They move an inch in a million directions.
Impact-driven mode: High-performers are ruthless with their focus. They cut the fluff, dial in and execute. They move a mile in one direction. When priorities collide, use this rapid-fire decision framework:
Kill it: Is this actually moving the needle? If not, drop it.
Pivot it: Can this be salvaged? Tweak it.
Scale it: Is this working? Double down — fast.
Act now: Are you overthinking? Stop stalling. Move.
🚀 Action step: Go through your to-do list with the decision framework. Be ruthless.
2. Get laser-focused on what the business needs - today
Default mode: When priorities shift, most people resist change, clinging to the old way of working. They complain instead of adapting, "That won't work", "We've done it before". They become DODOs (Dangerously Outdated Opinions).
Impact-driven mode: High-performers stay ahead of the curve. They don’t wait for instructions; they seek clarity, ask sharp questions and pivot fast.
Ask your leader: “What’s the most critical problem that needs solving today?” Then go fix it.
Cut through the noise: If priorities feel unclear, ask: “If I only did one thing this week, what should it be?”
Adapt faster: Check in regularly. Guessing is slow. Clarity moves you forward.
🚀 Action step: Find out what your boss or client is stressing about right now. Solve it—today.
3. Stop avoiding uncomfortable conversations - speak up now
Teams fail, not through overt acts of defiance, but through low-grade negligence.
Default mode: Most people dodge tough conversations, hoping problems will magically resolve on their own. They won’t.
Impact-driven mode: Silence kills momentum. High-performers don't shy away from touchy issues. They lean into them.
If something’s broken — call it out.
If a deal is stalled - get it moving.
If your team isn’t aligned — address it.
🚀 Action step: Have that conversation you’ve been putting off - you know the one. Make the call. Send the message. Now.
4. Share your ideas and ask for help — fast
Default mode: Many people avoid ownership. They keep things vague, slippery and safe (RHINO: Really Here In Name Only). They keep things ambiguous so they can't be pinned down if something goes wrong.
Impact-driven mode: High-performers take risks, commit and execute. They don’t wait for perfection; they share ideas, get feedback and iterate fast.
Pitch an idea — this week: Even if it’s rough, share it with someone who can refine or execute it.
Seek feedback — now: Don’t polish for weeks. Ask: “How can I make this better?”
Ask for what you need — clearly: Your boss isn’t a mind reader.
🚀 Action step: Take that half-baked idea ricocheting in your head and pitch it this week.
5. Treat yourself like a pro athlete - now is your moment
When people are too stressed to think big thoughts, ideas become smaller and more disposable, worth barely a second of attention.
Default mode: Most professionals grind until they burn out, assuming exhaustion = success. Wrong. When you're too drained to think, and your impact shrinks.
Impact-driven mode: High-performers optimise, not just push through. They manage energy, focus and strategic recovery to stay sharp.
Know your triggers: What throws you off? Sudden change in plans? Criticism? Unreasonable deadlines? Spot it before it derails you.
Work at your sharpest: Protect your peak-performance hours for high-impact tasks.
Complete the stress cycle: Rest is not a luxury - it's work. Burnout = zero impact.
🚀 Action step: Schedule one thing today that will restore your energy. Your next big idea depends on it.
The Bottomline: Slow down to go fast
Slow down, to go fast. It's not a luxury; it's a necessity.
Right now, most people are stuck in uncertainty — hesitating, overthinking, drowning in a sea of dread. They react instead of leading.
They move, but they don’t advance.
That’s your opening.
But here’s the paradox: Speed doesn’t come from rushing — it comes from clarity. High-impact leaders don’t just sprint blindly. They pause, cut through the noise and move with precision.
That’s why most people don’t do this. They confuse action with impact. They stay busy but get nowhere. Slowing down to get clear is what lets you move at the speed of impact.
When everyone else is scrambling, you stay sharp. When they hesitate, you decide. When they retreat, you step forward.
This isn’t just about survival — it’s about stepping up and owning the moment.
🚀 So, what’s your next move?
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start making real impact, let’s talk.
If you're curious to learn more about accelerating your people through transformation, drop me an email sophia@personna.me
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At Personna, we believe that impact isn’t accidental — it’s intentional, strategic, and deeply personal.
Since 2010, we’ve been working with high-performing leaders and teams who must operate at the top 10% of their industry to scale impact. Success at this level isn’t just about generic leadership skills; it’s about aligning personal vision with the organisation’s objectives to create meaningful impact.