5 Steps to Promote Lasting Change

Is there something you have noticed causes harm to others but keeps happening over and over again? Like bullying.  Like child abuse.  Like domestic abuse.  Do you feel the pain of behavior that is repeated in this way?  Often we don't even recognize the pain until it impacts ourselves.  Empathy is putting ourselves in another's shoes.  Feeling the pain, the excitement, the emotion in another.

"We have to have a revolution so that all young people grasp empathy and practice it. This is the most fundamental revolution that we need to get through." - BILL DRAYTON

It has been said, the definition of "insanity", is "repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result."  Are we insane?  No!  We are world changers, difference makes and life savers.

We recognize the need for change.  When we share the vision with another, sometimes it is rejected, but often it is lazily acknowledged.  We see the value of the change but others don't seem to care. Thus the 5 Steps to Promote Lasting Change.  When you follow these carefully, change is almost guaranteed, and will continue long after you are gone.

1.  Recognize the need for change.

Believe in your vision.  Be sure of your vision as you view the dynamics where you want to see change.  Look at it from all sides.  Discuss the matter with others of equal or greater wisdom than yourself.  Get a clear picture such that you could simply and concisely describe the need for change that you have recognized.

When you believe it, it is more likely to become a passion.  Passion instigates change.

2.  Instigate the change in yourself.

Never ask someone to make a change that you, yourself have not instigated, if you genuinely desire to see change in others.  When you instigate the change in yourself, you are able to see any pros and cons so that you can objectively engage in discussion about the value of the change.  You may change your mind and it is better to change your mind before you get on your soapbox, than after you are convinced with a powerful oppositional argument that your change is not for the betterment of others.

Others will be more compelled to follow you when you are showing that you have personal knowledge and expertise in the area where you are promoting change.  Followers want to know you are committed and will follow through if they join your bandwagon.

Be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Ghandi


3.  Demonstrate the value that the change makes for others.

You have most likely observed the change in others as you became more aware of the need for this change.  Keep a record of examples, study them, and talk about those that demonstrate the value of the change for others.

For example, in 2010, I met Daniel Harrison on a CNN show, and he was in an article in People Magazine.  At that time, Daniel was a tenth grader from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and he had been a bully, taunting some of his fellow classmates for years.  Then an insight motivated by his mother, changed his perspective to being an upstander to protect targets of bullying.

 Daniel bullied because he thought taking someone else's power would add to his own. Then one day, his mother gave him options that included an apology to a young girl whom he had bullied.  When he went to the home of the young girl, the mother of the girl told Daniel how Courtney came home sobbing so hard that she couldn't even get the words out about what had happened.  This was the first time that Daniel realized how his actions adversely impacted the target.

Using Daniel's story is a way that we demonstrate the value of bringing awareness to bullies.

Find your demonstration and use it!

4.  Incite energy in others to desire to make the change themselves.

Often you will find others who have instigated change in themselves too!  These are your comrades.  Remember how a revolution starts?  It starts with one!  and then another and then another.....

Be the one who incites energy in others by sharing your enthusiasm and your passion.  Even when others seem to be disinterested, keep the passion alive.  You will find a group who join you!  You will find people you who will stand beside you if your desire for change is reasonable and relatable.  Consider your reason for bringing change in the area you have chosen. Does it support others?  Does it bring value to others?  Does the change make a difference for those without a voice?

When you show your passion, your vision and your enthusiasm for the results you seek, you will incite energy in others to make the change too!

It only takes a spark to get a firing growing.....and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing....  do you remember that song?

5.  Celebrate and applaud the new behavior repeatedly.

Don't ever forget to applaud your followers, to affirm the new behavior.  And you must do so repeatedly.  Not just once, because once does not leave the same impression.  Do you want the change to become permanent?

At BARE we affirm the positive treatment of others more frequently than we rebuff the bullying behaviors.  Why?  Because positive and affirmative actions towards one another keeps bullying away.  Empathy is a learned behavior.  It takes repeated action to feel the glow of supporting others in that way.  Empathy is necessary to see permanent change in a climate of bullying.

Celebrate!  Applaud!   Re-affirm!

As you follow these 5 Ways to Promote Change, you will become excited about the difference you make in the world!  Now go out and change the world!