“Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Mahatma Gandhi
THIS QUOTE IS AN INCREDIBLE TRUTH towards ‘doing’ rather than 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 talking and so little action these days; It is 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 poles apart, 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 may never be. Now, that’s not a good image. It reminds me of sayings like “Nothing changes if nothing changes” or “What is the definition of insanity: expect vastly different results from the same methods.” Craziness.
We’ve 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 you test it with in fact In doing so, it makes a strong case for your credibility and the effectiveness of the change. They are easier to trust and follow the 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 of the bread‘of change if you hope to see it work. A leader needs to get in and dirty with the change by getting involved. Now this makes plain common sense to me, but it’s amazing how many would-be leaders just don’t show any interest in getting involved and making the sacrifices necessary to guide 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 all see as necessary: they share a common understanding and a common goal.
The change at 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, it’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 partner perpetrating the abuse, “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! Continuous change in this environment is simple if it stays that way. Like giving up on anything, just keep going one moment at a time and I can guarantee that the forces that seem so powerful now won’t be in a month or two. That might seem like a long way to go; Focus: One day at a time.
“Making changes” means staying within your sphere of influence. This is very important. How many people get angry with things that worry them, but they don’t have the ability to change? This is a waste of energy. Let’s explore the remedy. Let’s take a look at a unique trait 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 set us apart 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 do 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 ‘mad’ about something we can’t do anything about, so if the answer to our question is ‘no’, we must 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 ballgame if the answer was ‘yes’ and we are passionate enough about it. This is where the work begins. We’ve done the easy thing, now the ‘proof will be 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 “self-discipline bridge.” Is not correct? We cannot achieve any worthwhile goal without restraining 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 activity. It’s all dependent, done 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 to our self-confidence and self-efficacy. Doing things, rather than just saying them, is a great indicator 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”, ‘You will be a man [or Woman].’
©2007 Steve Wickham