Mapping Impact

By: Ava Jones

For me, the spheres of impact act similarly to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, but in a fluid, overlapping fashion. I believe that to have a positive impact on the world around us, introspection and self-acceptance are the first steps. Coming to terms with the self is the first building block of establishing an inner circle where we thrive. This doesn’t mean perfecting our identities, in fact it means the opposite. It’s about vulnerability, and an understanding of how our flaws, biases, passions and skills come together to form our outlook of the world around us. This goes up the ladder; fostering quality relationships expands your community into something naturally built out of meaningful, genuine connections and different forms of intimacy rather than manufactured, “industrial” networks that only suit a means to an end. These authentic communities are essential to the betterment of the world as a whole; we are of more help to one another when we value mutual respect and compassion rather than commodification. So, while it does resemble Maslow’s theory, it doesn’t need to be interpreted as a selfish centering of our own needs above all else; it’s about understanding that true societal impact often aligns with an intrinsic understanding of ourselves, our interactions, and our values as they relate to the wider world.

            This summer, I intend to practice the spheres of impact on multiple levels. As a foundation for my research and productivity this summer, I’ve been working on integrating routine and structure into my life and building good habits that keep me energized and happy. In the past, I’ve watched myself hit a wall and go stagnant over my summer breaks. Taking a break isn’t a bad thing, and resting after a busy year of work is a must, but I find myself getting irritable, bored, and antsy the longer I rot in the summer. So, I’ve been waking up early, prioritizing eating balanced meals (especially breakfast before my morning coffee), going to the gym five days a week, and setting aside time to work on creative projects in the evening. My internship at LeMoyne Arts slots into my weekdays and contributes to a more defined and meaningful summer term that helps me to actually remember what day of the week it is. Though my internship just began, I’ve already begun drafting out my capstone, discussing the ways my Global Scholars research could benefit LeMoyne’s media publicity with my boss, and I’m planning to touch base with an artist from a past exhibition to discuss the nuances of “ethical AI” in art immersion installations. I will continue to develop my experience during my summer term by maintaining my routines and not letting tasks pile up to a breaking point. So far, so good!