“Be the change you want to see in the world”.

Mahatma Gandhi

THIS QUOTE IS AN AMAZING TRUTH towards ‘doing’ instead of just ‘saying’. Gandhi was without a doubt one of the most incredible human beings who ever lived. What was it that he saw in the world that commanded him to believe this and therefore actually ‘do it’? There seems to be so much talk and so little action these days; it’s annoying to believe in people who call your attention when they promise changes, when you know how to expect more of the same.

Say and do. These two words are polar opposites, worlds apart. When we have heard it all and seen very little, there can be an incredible sense of disappointment that washes over us. This might seem like a form of learned helplessness, as we see things in our world that require change in response to the truth we see, but there is no change, and there may never be. Now, that’s not a good picture. It reminds me of sayings like “Nothing changes if nothing changes” or “What is the definition of insanity: expecting very different results from the same methods.” Craziness.

We have heard of the intelligence quotient, but what interests me most here is the ‘credibility quotient’. How can a person become credible and maintain credibility? I’m not going to suggest anything scientific. But I would suggest that if people say what they mean and mean what they say, and prove it with Really in doing so, it constitutes a strong argument in favor of its credibility and the effectiveness of the change. They are easier to trust and follow next time.

Credibility and trust are crucial in leadership. Without these elements, a leader will have a hard time imposing any sense of respect on his charges. So what gives credibility? How does it look? It means that if you are a leader you must be prepared to be ‘part of the bread‘in exchange if you hope to see it work. A leader needs to get in and dirty with change by getting involved. Now, this makes pure common sense to me, but it’s amazing how many so-called leaders just don’t show any interest in getting involved and making the necessary sacrifices to lead people through a process of change. The character (humility and respect, etc.) of the leader emerges when people see them as truly committed to the changes that everyone sees as necessary: ​​they share a common understanding and a common goal.

The change in the home is very similar. If you are in a relationship and there is abuse or inequality, you want and need change. If you don’t see any commitment to change, or if your partner just says things to appease you, that’s a concern. How do you facilitate the change you want to see? You could “be the change,” as Gandhi suggests. It is a good starting point. Furthermore, if you are the abusive partner, “Be the change” you want to see; actually start doing it one day, one moment at a time. Don’t make excuses or put it off any longer: do it now! Continual change in this environment is simple if you keep it that way. Like giving up anything, just keep going one moment at a time and I can guarantee you that the forces that seem so powerful now won’t be so in a month or two. That might seem like a long way off; approach: one day at a time.

“Making changes” means staying within your sphere of influence. This is very important. How many people get angry about things that concern them, but do not have the ability to change? This is a waste of energy. Let’s explore the remedy. Let’s take a look at a unique characteristic that we all have: the ability to form original perceptions

Perceptions are funny things; we all have them and they are very varied, and even the subtle differences separate us a lot from each other. If we are wise, we will seek to test our perceptions enough to say, “Can I do something about this concern?” If the answer is ‘yes’, it is something we can influence: we can actually make something about. This reminds me of the slogan World Vision used in their 40 hour famine promotion this year… ‘Do something… Do something real… Do something else’ (other than procrastinate). There is no point in being ‘crazed’ by something we can’t do anything about, so if the answer to our question is ‘no’, we need to learn to move on, and as the Serenity Prayer suggests, we need to ‘accept the things we can’t change.

Now, we start a totally different ball game if the answer was ‘yes’ and we are passionate enough. This is where the work begins. We’ve done the easy thing, now the ‘proof is in the pudding’ as they say. Enabling a change process by “doing” requires planning, commitment, energy, and resources. It can only be limited by a lack of passion and commitment.

I recently heard that one way to reach your goals was through the “bridge of self-discipline.” Is not correct? We cannot achieve any worthwhile goal without curbing our desires. Whether our desire is stunted by laziness (procrastination) or fueled by greed, the antidote is self-discipline; due diligence in a word. This word symbolizes the right spirit. in exercise. It is all dependent, done in the right way and with the right intention.

Doing the things that our minds and hearts say are important, those things that we can actually do, is really important for our self-confidence and self-efficacy. Doing things, rather than just saying them, is a great display of character because it shows the people around you how diligent you are, how committed you are to ideals, and how compassionate you are.

If you are able to consistently turn the things you say into the activity of doing them, ‘Then, my son [or daughter]’, as Rudyard Kipling said in his poem ‘If’, ‘Thou shalt be a man [or Woman].’

© 2007 Steve Wickham