What is the difference between impact and significance?

To have impact on someone or something means that we put our own stamp on it. We affect in a major way whatever is happening. If it’s an event in history, we’re one of the main players. Impact can be a one-time thing.

But to have significance is to leave a legacy. Significance can be established through several moments of major impact. If impact is a one-time or momentary thing, significance happens over time. History usually is the arbitrator of significance.

We can impact people on a daily basis. But to leave a legacy and have significance in history and in people’s lives is to have multiple impacts over time. Everyone has significance, but to have significance acknowledged by others boosts our ability to impact others. A person can decide to make an impact. But other people assign significance.