If you didn’t show up at work tomorrow, would it matter? What if you didn’t show up for dinner?

Many people might answer no to one or both of those questions. But you can turn that around by making some real changes in your life and in yourself.

None of the ideas below are easy – but none are impossible, either. All they require is

Network

Join and use one or two social networking tools. Select 10 or 20 people who are prominent in your field and introduce yourself to them; write them letters or email, give them a call, leave comments on their blogs. Join and become active in professional or recreational organizations.

Love

Try to be a loving, caring person in all your relationships. Approach every person you interact with as a person with their own needs, desires, and motivations. Look out for the people around you, be there when they need someone to lean on.

Excel

Be excellent at something. Figure out the thing that is most satisfying to you and learn how to do it better than anyone else.

Create Something

Whether it’s a book, a blog, a painting, an invention, a magazine article, a weekly newsletter, a company, a piece of furniture, or a recipe. The things you create contain a little part of you, a spark of who you are.

Innovate

Figure out how to solve a problems, and you will be anything but disposable.

Make People Feel Good

A joke, a compliment, an engaging discussion about the latest film or book — these things add a little light to the lives of those around you.

Share or Teach What You Know

It’s not all that hard to put together a class, seminar, or workshop on just about any topic. Also seek out opportunities to share what you know informally throughout the day.

Be Eccentric

Eccentricity represents a significant difference in the way you view the world. While this can be alienating to some people, others will seek out and reward you handsomely for your insights.

Make a Difference

What matters in all these points is that you make a difference in people’s lives. Do that, and the world — or at least some of the world — will hang on your every action.