“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.”
These powerful words by Edward Everett Hale have long been a guiding light for my journey. In a world facing complex, systemic challenges, it is incredibly easy to look at the scale of a problem and feel entirely paralyzed. We ask ourselves: What can one person really do?
But leadership, impact, and true change do not require us to solve every global crisis overnight. They require us to show up, embrace our unique sphere of influence, and refuse to let what we cannot do stand in the way of what we can do.
The Power of “Doing Something”
When I first stepped into the role of CEO and Founding Director at reachAbility, the mountain ahead looked steep. Building a non-profit dedicated to providing accessible, inclusive programming and equal opportunities for people of all abilities wasn’t an easy blueprint to follow. There were countless moments where the barriers felt overwhelming, funding felt tight, and the systemic gaps felt too wide to bridge.
If we had focused solely on the vastness of the problem, reachAbility wouldn’t exist today.
Instead, our team focused on the “something.” We focused on the single individual walking through our doors looking for a fair shot at employment. We focused on rewriting one biased narrative at a time. We learned that resilience isn’t about having all the answers or unlimited resources; it is about an unshakeable determination to do what is within your power today, so you can build a better tomorrow.
Breaking the Paralysis of Inaction
In corporate environments, grassroots NGOs, and daily life, the biggest enemy of progress is often perfectionism. We stay silent because we aren’t experts. We hold back support because we can’t donate millions. We stop trying because a goal feels too distant.
But impact is a mosaic built from small, determined acts.
As a leader in the NGO sector, I see firsthand that the most resilient people are not those who never face limitations. They are the ones who look at their limitations and say, “I might not be able to do everything, but I am not going to do nothing.”
Your “Ought To” and “Will Do”
Every single one of us has an “ought to” – a unique capability, a voice, a skill, or a platform that can lift someone else up. True determination means turning that obligation into action.
If you want to make a difference in your industry, your community, or your workplace:
- Audit your “can”: Focus heavily on your available tools, skills, and circles of influence.
- Build your resilience: Anticipate the word “no” and treat it as a detour, never a dead end.
- Start small, scale deliberately: A single inclusive hiring practice or mentorship hour ripples outward.
You are only one, but you are one. Never count yourself out. You have the power to make a difference, simply because you can.
What is the “something” you are choosing to act on this week? Let’s connect and share our thoughts in the comments below.
