What Impression Do You Leave?

Reflecting on How Products Shape Future Experiences and Behaviors

Oct 19, 2024

"The tools we use have a profound and devious influence on our thinking habits, and, therefore, on our thinking abilities."

— Edsger Dijkstra

We’re all creators. Whether it’s a tweet, a plan, or a product, everything we make touches others. Our creations—big or small—leave an impression, whether we notice it or not.

1. The Marketplace of Attention

Think about social media. It’s more than just a platform to share thoughts—it’s a vast marketplace for attention. Just like products on a store shelf, every post, every like, every share is a small creation we put out into the world. These aren’t just fleeting interactions—they leave lasting impressions.

In this space, content becomes a product. Each post competes for attention in the same way a product does for a buyer’s eye. And just as with physical products, the experience users have with your content shapes how they view you, your brand, or your work.

But it goes deeper than that. These impressions aren’t just about getting likes or shares—they set expectations for future interactions. Every piece of content, every product, contributes to the bigger picture of how people will perceive you next time. Just like using a well-designed product makes you expect more from future products, great content sets the stage for future engagement.

2. Products Shape Future Experiences

Now, consider the products you interact with every day. Think about the last app you used or the last physical product you purchased. Whether you were aware of it or not, those products left an impression. Maybe it was the sleek design, the user-friendly interface, or simply how well it functioned.

The way that product made you feel didn’t just stay with you in the moment—it shaped your expectations for the future. If you use a beautifully designed app today, you’ll likely feel frustration the next time you use a poorly designed one. Your experience with one product changes how you perceive all future experiences, good or bad.

Now, flip that around: the things you create are leaving these same marks on others. Your content, designs, and products leave impressions that last. They go beyond the initial interaction, influencing how your audience will feel the next time they engage with your work—or even with similar products in your industry.

Think about wearing shoes: one day, you wear comfortable sneakers that fit perfectly. The next day, you’re forced to run in heavy, uncomfortable boots. The memory of how good the sneakers felt makes the discomfort of the boots even more noticeable. Those sneakers didn’t just serve their purpose in the moment—they impressed a standard for what you expect from all future footwear. In the same way, each creation you make sets expectations for future experiences, not just for you but for others as well.

3. Beyond the Sale: Impressions That Last

What we create goes beyond a one-time interaction. Products and content leave impressions that ripple beyond the moment someone hits ‘like’ or makes a purchase. The real power of an impression lies in how it influences future decisions, behaviors, and even emotions.

Consider this: the way a product or piece of content makes someone feel today could influence a decision they make years from now. A customer who had a great experience with your product may not just return to you—they may expect a similar standard from all products they encounter in the future. When your content resonates deeply with someone, it might not just prompt them to engage today—it could influence their perception of related content or even shape their worldview.

Our creations have lasting power. They leave invisible marks that shape the future, both for ourselves and for the people who interact with them.

4. Products Are Tools to Impress at Scale

Every product we design, every piece of content we create, is an opportunity to impress at scale. When a product is impressive, people don't just engage with it—they share it with others. A memorable user experience, much like a compelling social media post, has the power to reach far beyond its original audience.

Think about the iconic products or services that have shaped industries. These creations didn’t just meet a functional need; they left impressions that changed how we think about entire product categories—and, in some cases, how we behave as a species. The iPhone, for example, didn’t just sell well—it redefined what we expect from all smartphones that came after it. It became a benchmark, influencing how we engage with every future device.

But it went beyond that. The iPhone fundamentally changed human behavior. Before smartphones, waiting meant idly passing time. Now, those idle moments—standing in line, waiting for the bus—are filled with scrolling, messaging, or consuming content. The iPhone didn’t just shift expectations for technology—it reshaped our relationship with time and attention, altering how we navigate even the smallest aspects of daily life.

Your work can do the same. When your product, content, or design resonates, it sets a precedent. It shapes how people think, feel, and engage with your future creations—and often, with the entire industry. You’re not just making a sale; you’re influencing expectations for every product in the space, even those that aren’t yours.

5. The Responsibility of Impressions

With this power comes great responsibility. Every design choice, every feature in a product, every word you write—it all carries weight. As creators, we need to consider the long-term impact of our work, not just how it performs in the moment.

So next time you’re designing a product, crafting content, or making something new, pause and reflect:

What kind of lasting impression will this creation leave on those who use it?
Am I building something that I would be proud to experience and share with others?
How will this shape the way people perceive not only my work, but also future creations in the same space?

Great creators understand they’re shaping more than just one experience—they’re crafting impressions that last far into the future, setting expectations for everything that comes after.

→ What kind of impression do you want to leave on the world?

Thanks for reading!—Found value in this? Three ways to help: