by Charles
I was talking to a young professional who was "worried" about the small size project he is managing.
When humanitarian or development workers working in big organizations decide to step away and either start a project of their own or work in a small organization, I often hear "I am not helping a lot of people", "the project is small",...
These thoughts reduce the positivity of your actions and may cut down your success and impact.
My take: "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SMALL PROJECT".
Of course if you are spending 1 million dollars on one beneficiary, there better be a great return on the investment (hello presidential candidates in the USA!).
I want to offer this perspective: Think "downstream impact" rather than just today's beneficiary numbers.
When you include the perspective of time, each individual person whose life is improved because of a school meal, a vaccination, a life-saving surgery, an improved agronomic practice, a small loan, or saved from child labour/bondage may impact hundreds, hundreds of thousands or millions of lives in his immediate family and beyond.
ONE PERSON CAN CHANGE THE FAMILY, THE VILLAGE, THE COUNTRY, THE WORLD.
So rather than limiting thoughts that undercut, focus on how the project ignites YOUR motivation, YOUR passion, YOUR commitment, and that of YOUR team. That is where your sweet spot is and the world needs you to act HERE.
Congratulations to all working on big and small projects to help people; all are needed to make the world move forward.
If you have an example of the positive impact of ONE person that you want to share, please share.