We all know the saying: In this world, there are two kinds of people—leaders and followers. Viewing this in terms of change creation, there are those who lead change and those who follow. There are trendsetters and those slower to adapt. The world is made up of all kinds of people and those who take the initiative to drive transformation are often revered for their efforts.
If we all made it our focus to be leaders of change, how far could we go? Instead of sitting back and waiting to be called upon, what if we all committed to raising our hand and volunteering? It could be argued that the effects of change would amplify tenfold. There would be so much movement, perhaps it would be hard to keep up or perhaps it would be invigorating.
Of course, this is only the case if we commit to driving positive change, such as correcting social inequities, helping those in need, or advancing the sciences. If we decided to take on worthy causes, the world could truly be a better place.
What’s the first step? Motivation. We have to be motivated to work toward addressing concerns and taking action. We have to want to devote our time and energy. And, in order to operate at our best and become more driven, we have to be committed to self-care.
This means we have to take the time each day to focus on filling and refilling our reserves. We have to eat right, exercise, practice mindful thinking. We have to learn how to establish and enforce healthy boundaries. We have to remove toxicity from our lives. Then, once we become empowered by our ability to live more healthily, we will be motivated to take action.
What should you do once you’re ready to act? Create action steps, of course. Here’s a few questions to ask yourself in order to get the juices flowing.
1. What issues matter to me the most?
2. What can I do to address these issues?
3. What can I do right now?
4. What needs to fall into place before I can move forward?
5. Given all of the above, what’s the most logical first step?
If you’ve answered these questions honestly and to the best of your ability, you will have a better understanding of what needs to happen in order to fulfill your goals. Take the step you’ve identified in #5 and get started.
As you delve into a new endeavor you’re passionate about, chances are it will become more and more difficult to break away. You’ll want to devote all of your time and energy to the cause. It’s important, however, to consider other aspects of your life and ensure you’re filling your cup in areas that matter most.
Make sure you don’t begin to neglect important priorities, such as maintaining healthy relationships with your friends and family. Give yourself enough downtime, too. Otherwise, you’ll go at it 110 percent, only to burn out and have to back off early on in the process.
Contrary to what you believe, a little really can go a long way. If we all focus on creating positive change, we will only create a more appealing world for ourselves and those around us. We must make a choice to take a chance or things will never change. It starts with us.
Of course, we have to consider the Serenity Prayer as we begin to undertake those things we’re most passionate about and become determined to create waves. We have to understand and accept that despite being well-intended and motivated, some things are simply unchangeable. Thus, we have to refocus our efforts and redirect our energy. Otherwise, we’re simply wasting time.
Time is one of most valuable gifts we’ll ever be given. How we choose to spend our time is entirely up to us. We are influenced by a variety of factors—people, places, and things—but, ultimately, at the end of the day, we are responsible for ourselves and our actions. We decide what will and will not have influence over us and this decision determines the direction our lives take.
Are you ready to change the world? Keep the momentum up and commit to becoming a change warrior!