Change Your World

Sharing my learnings from the book, Change Your World by John Maxwell & Rob Hoskins

Change Your World by John Maxwell & Rob Hoskins

John and Rob share their decades of experience bringing transformation to communities and countries in Change Your World. Millions of lives have been positively impacted and they distill the key principles necessary to bring about transformation. However, they are not content to let the story end with telling you about what is possible, they want to empower you to Change Your World and have created a platform to walk us through a transformational process.

The process begins with an emphasis on learning and taking action around universal values that are foundational to transformation and then moves to connect you with others who are passionate about a common cause while learning how to move from good intentions to good actions, and then EVERY SINGLE person is asked to move to the ACTION phase where s/he uses tools provided to identify a need around them and figure out what steps they can take to make a difference right where they are.

• We all have the potential to make a difference, but we get overwhelmed by the immensity of the world’s social problems and end up doing nothing at all.
• the first step in becoming part of the solution is changing this mindset. We need to challenge our own hidden assumptions and pessimistic beliefs. You should replace your pessimistic views with the belief that you can make a difference. Sure, you may not be able to solve world hunger in one fell swoop, but you can make a valuable contribution. 
• You can’t save the whole world, at least not all at once. But you can start somewhere. By leaping into action you will inspire other people to do the same.
• So how can you become a catalyst for change in your own community?
  • start by focusing on your strengths and passions.
  • you need to move from having good intentions to having good actions.
  • You, too, should be emboldened to start somewhere, and learn as you go along. 
• Real change always happens in the context of a transformation team. Together, we can achieve more than we ever could apart.
  • To start with, you should look for people who are already doing what you’re passionate about. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
  • If you can’t find the right organization, then you may need to recruit your own. Share your vision with your friends, family, and colleagues. Ask them for feedback and then invite them to join you in making change together.
  • working with the right people is more important than working with a crowd of people. Make sure that you surround yourself with people who share your values, and are willing to throw themselves into working toward a solution. 
• Successful transformation requires good leaders. Of course, a leader is nothing without good organization. Any movement requires a backbone of organizational support – be it paid or volunteer – that helps keep all the vital cogs moving.  And transformation can only occur when leaders are supported by a grassroots movement. Without that, it will be too superficial to flourish. Real change takes place with top-down leadership and bottom-up support. Most importantly, it happens when everyone is united around a common goal. 
• No one can trust a leader who doesn’t have good values. That’s why embodying good values is essential for anyone who wants to be active in transforming the world for the better. 
  • Living according to good values is a choice you make every day, not an inherent quality. People who choose to embrace good values can completely transform their lives, and the world around them. 
  • Good values transcend specific circumstances. When they’re internalized, they give you a blueprint for all future action.
• Conversation is a bridge to overcoming adversity and finding a way forward when you feel very stuck. Conversation allows you a chance to see each other’s points of views and acknowledge the reality of the situation, even when it feels very tough. 
• what, exactly, is a transformation table? It’s a group of people sitting together to have an intentional conversation about values and how to create change.
  • Starting such a table is simple. You don’t need any advanced training or special resources. You simply need to ask yourself, Am I ready to work on myself? And would it benefit others in my community to do the same? If you answer yes to those questions, then just begin. Invite three other people to join you for weekly conversations. 
  • Each week, you’ll discuss specific values, and each group member will have a chance to evaluate how he or she is living that value. Everyone will identify areas in which they need to grow or work on something, and then come up with some specific actions they can take in that area. In the follow-up meeting, all group members discuss the actions they’ve taken. 
• The group dynamic creates a powerful sense of accountability, encouraging members to undertake follow-up actions to which they’ve committed. And the repetition of the meetings creates space for the work to become ingrained in people’s lives. So much repetition means that actions become habitual and start to be second nature for people. Change begins at these tables, and is given a chance to flourish through conversation.
• feeling good about something isn’t the same as doing good. To make a difference, you need to measure your results objectively. 
  • The first D is discovery. This is the information-gathering phase of the process.
  • The second D is design. In this phase of the process, you make a plan of action.
  • The third D stands for deploy. This is the very important stage where you actually leap into action, and get to work.
  • The fourth D stands for document. This phase involves keeping careful records of your activities and their impact.
  • the fifth D stands for dream. Together with your team, reflect on progress made and imagine what’s possible for the future.