Social Entrepreneurs Are Ordinary People Who Dare To Dream

Remember when you thought anything was possible? Remember when you were a child and you dreamed of big things and big adventures? When did we forget how to dream, why did we settle for less?
Social Entrepreneurs are not extraordinary people…in fact most of them are quite ordinary but they all are big dreamers. Dreams give us hope and pave the way for the future. Social entrepreneurs are passionate about seeing change and see things as they should be, not as they are. They believe anything is possible. It is this belief that makes things happen.


A social entrepreneur is someone who is driven by a social mission, a desire to find innovative ways to solve social problems.  They are creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up, and make the world a better place.

David Bornstein specialises in writing about social innovation. He is the author of “How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas”. This is what he had to say about social entrepreneurs: “Researching this book has taught me that ordinary people have far more capacity and potential than they ever know or use. Many of the people I have interviewed who have done remarkable things are far from ‘extraordinary.’ The main quality they share is a belief that they can make a difference. They are not without self-doubts and they are not geniuses. But they have initiative, they listen to their instincts and they take action. Above all, they begin. I suspect that there are millions of people out there who could bring important changes to their corners of the world–and who would find great fulfillment doing so.”
We will find times in our lives when opportunities come along to make an impact in the world, to make a difference, to bring change. It is what we do with these opportunities that will determine the legacy we leave and the mark we make on the world.

50 Tips for Starting Your Own Company

Starting your own business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s stressful and pretty much demands your complete focus. On the plus side, it can also be a fulfilling experience professionally and personally.

Here are 50 tips on how to make your business come to life:

1. Do a self-inventory.

Not everyone has what it takes to start a company. That’s not to say that your idea is not brilliant. It just means that you may not have the personality traits to handle launching a company of your own.

Before investing any time or resources, evaluate yourself and see if you have some the typical traits of an entrepreneur. Are you motivated, able to adapt and confident? Are you resilient?

2. Develop an idea.

Don’t just start a business because something is in vogue and you think commercializing it will make money. Develop a business concept that you're passionate about related to something that you have experience with. From there, come up with a product or service that you believe can enhance the people’s lives.

3. Test the plausibility.

Once you’ve settled on an idea, figure out how you can make it become a reality. Is the product or service something that people want or need? Can you make a profit selling it? Does the product work?

4. Write a business plan.

A solid business plan will guide you going forward. It’s also needed for presenting your idea to potential investors. Your business plan should include a mission statement, a company summary, an executive summary, a service or product offerings, a description of a target market, financial projections and the cost of the operation. Learn about how to write a business plan at SBA.gov.

5. Identify your market.

Even though you may have detected some interest in your business, you need to do more homework. Assess the market, targeting the customers most likely to make a purchase. Perform a competitive assessment.

6. Determine the costs.

Do additional research and find out the standard cost factors within this industry. Not only will this help you manage your business more effectively, investors will want to know this.

7. Establish a budget.

Once you determine how much money you’ll have to work with, figure out how much it will take to develop your product or service and create a marketing plan.

8. Find the right investors.

You’re going to need some sort of funding to start off, whether from your savings, credit cards, loans, grants or venture capitalists. Find an investor who shares your passion, someone you believe you can work with.

9. Listen to investors.

Whether you like it, investors do have a say in your company. And you need to listen to their advice or suggestion. But that doesn’t mean you have to do what they tell you.

10. Set up a great support system.

You’re going to be investing a lot of time and resources into your new business venture. Be certain that your family is on board. They must be aware that this process will be challenging financially and emotionally.

11. Determine the legal structure.

Settle on which form of ownership is best for you: a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an S corporation, a nonprofit or a cooperative. Find out more at SBA.gov.

12. Select a business name.

Decide on a name that best suits your business. Then check to see if the domain name is available online, as well as if it’s free to use in your county, state and in the country.

13. Register your business name.

If your proposed business name is available, register it with the county clerk, have it trademarked at the state and federal levels and secure a domain name.

14. Take advantage of free resources.

Numerous free resources can offer advice, training and assistance. SBA.gov is a great place to look at to find local resources.

15. Determine tax obligations.

Now it’s time to wrestle with the tax obligations. In the United States, four basic types of business taxes arise: income, self-employment, taxes for employees and excise taxes.

16. Secure permits and licenses.

According to NOLO, you’ll have to pick up a federal employment identification number (unless the company is a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company without employees.) Apply for state licenses. Pick up a local tax registration certificate. File for local permits, if required, such as a conditional use permit or zoning variance.

17. Buy insurance.

Make sure that you arrange for the proper insurance for your business. This will vary according to the type of business. If you’re working from home be sure that your homeowner’s insurance covers theft or damage to business assets, as well as liability for any business-related injuries.

18. Set up the books.

Figure out if you’re using a cash or accrual system, determine the fiscal year for the business and set up a recordkeeping system.

19. Choose a business location.

Select a location that best fits the needs of your business, one that offers an opportunity for growth, the right level of competition and proximity to suppliers. It should also be accessible to customers.

20. Don’t worry about an office.

If you’re not making any revenue, then don't concern yourself with an office or warehouse ust yet.

21. A patent can wait.

Patents can cost thousands of dollars. Wait to pursue this route until you have a few customers paying the bills. A patent is less useful if you can't enforce it or have the money to see it through.

22. Be flexible.

Chances are that your original idea will have to be modified. Being able to pivot and adapt to create what customers want will determine if your business will fail or succeed.

23. Share your ideas with friends and family.

Your nearest and dearest will most likely be the most honest with you about your business. Don’t hesitate to seek their advice and suggestions.

24. Ignore the naysayers.

At the same time, there’s a difference between constructive criticism and someone's quick jab projecting that your business will fail. Follow the example of French Internet mogul Xavier Niel and ignore them.

25. Don’t become angry.

If your idea is rejected by customers or investors, don't just succumb to anger. Find out what they didn’t like, make adjustments and go back to them when you’ve made the changes. There's the possibility that the timing was wrong as well.

26. Deliver the product or service fast.

Your business is a work in progress and if you launch your product or service quickly, you will be able to build a community of customers who can provide valuable feedback that can help you improve the offerings. In the words of LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, "If you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've released too late

27. Offer new products or services.

If you already have customers, be sure to hold on to them by providing new products or services.

28. Be patient.

Always keep in mind that success won’t happen overnight. It’s going to take some time before you make a profit.

29. Overdeliver at first.

Once you land a new client, be sure to go above and beyond the call of duty for at least the first month. You’ll have this customer hooked from then on.

30. Blog all the time.

Don’t be ashamed to share both your triumphs and struggles. Customers will enjoy your honesty.

31. Avoid fights with partners

If you have disagreements with partners, then sever ties as soon as possible. In-house bickering will prevent you from focusing on growing the business.

32. Don’t worry about dilution.

So an investor has required a stake in the company. Recognize the fact that eventually at one point or another you'll have to give up some control of the business. Accept it and move on.

33. Hire a copywriter.

Unless you’re an excellent writer, hire a copywriter to compose emails for highly targeted customers. A copywriter will also prove handy for press releases and other pieces to spread brand awareness or provide business updates.

34. Prepare for meetings.

When preparing for a meeting with a client, read up on everything that’s available, steeping yourself in information about the industry, that firm's employees and its competition.

35. Don’t fear the competition.

Don’t bad-mouth the competition when talking to investors or customers. There’s no need to become an object of pity. In fact, talking in this manner might even point customers to a competitor who may offer a product or service that you don’t. Remember, when competition exists, there’s a market for your business. Use that knowledge as inspiration to outperform a rival.

36. Benefit from word-of-mouth.

Nothing beats some good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing. Let friends, family members and influencers in your field spread the word about your product or service.

37. Network.

Don’t be afraid to get out there and show your face to the public, whether at a conference or just being out and about with friend on a Friday night. But try to stay local because travel can dwindle your budget.

38. Provide outstanding customer service.

Interacting with people is a big part of the job. Your business may gain new customers because you made them feel important. For example, Zappos wasn’t the first online store to sell shoes, but the company perfected its customer-service department and won over shoppers.

39. Be sure your website functions.

Potential customers want to know as much about your business as possible and they should be able to quickly access that kind of information on your website.

40. Don’t be overly concerned by the economy.

Some of the best businesses have launched during a recession. In fact, half of the Fortune 500 companies listed in 2009 were founded during such times, according to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

41. Make sure clients pay their bills.

Always be certain to receive payment for your products or services. Instead of being taken advantage of of, establish a time frame for payment. It also wouldn’t hurt to accept credit cards and have an online payment system set up.

42. Find the right employees.

Hire the right people for the job. Even though it's your business, you won't be skilled at every task, which is why you need qualified people to complete the work.

43. Assign responsibilities.

Eelegate attainable tasks to employees. This is all about effective management.

44. Know that honesty is the best policy.

If any issues with employees emerge, be sure that they are addressed. No one enjoys being talked about behind their back.

45. Remember that opposites attract.

Hire people with skills and personalities that are the opposite to yours. They’ll challenge you and will bring different skills and talents to the business that you don't.

46. Say goodbye to your social life.

You’re going to spend a lot of time devoted to the business. Even if you plan a night out, you may leave early because a light-bulb just went off. Hopefully those closest in your life will understand.

47. Recognize that you'll be the final person to be paid.

As the CEO, you’re the last to collect a check. That’s just how it works until there’s adequate revenue.

48. Arrive at a useful definition of success.

Just because your business hasn’t made you a millionaire (yet) doesn’t mean that your enterprise is a failure. If you’re able to make some sort of profit doing something that you’re passionate about, isn’t that a success story?

49. Realize when it's time to move on.

Failure is inevitable. If things aren’t working out and you’ve done all you can, then put aside your pride and close up shop. Something like this is not easy to accept. But it’s for the best.

50. Don’t just rely on the advice of others.

Despite my offering up all of these tips for you, perhaps the most important piece of advice is something learned the hard way: While many people may offer a startup assistance, recognize that in the end you’re the person running the show and the one responsible for the company's success and failure. If you understand what worked and what didn’t, you’ll burnish the skills and knowledge to run your business.

Kids As Social Entrepreneurs?

Kids changing the world… one act at a time.

More and more, kids are wanting to have a positive impact in the world. They are taking action and mobilizing other kids to address problems from infant mortality in developing nations to neighborhood concerns. They are donating to charities, volunteering to help others and even engaging in social entrepreneurship. They are taking the passion they feel about a cause and undertaking a business-like activity that earns money (or provides other resources) to support that cause.

Alex Scott, for example, was four years old and battling cancer when she started a lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research. After a year, she had raised $2,000. By the time she was eight, she had raised $1 million through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Many kids like Alex are motivated to pursue a social entrepreneurial activity because they’ve been touched by something serious or significant and are moved to take action. They have had a personal experience with the problem. More often than not, though, these children would be hard pressed to pursue social entrepreneurship without the support and guidance of an adult.


Almost all kids would like to be more involved, only about half are actually participating in giving back to their community. There is much less opportunity for the younger kids to fulfill this need  and they simply can’t take this initiative on their own. The study by Just Kid Inc on Kids as a force for social change, revealed that about 9 out of 10 kids believe that it is extremely, very or somewhat important to help others or give back to their community. Many have displayed the important role of service in their lives over the past year, through their service activities. It seems that the involvement in parents, had an impact on the child and if a parent was involved in community service, their children would follow suit.

Social Entrepreneurial Initiatives for Kids

While teaching children to run businesses on their own or learn to create a spreadsheet is not appropriate, we could impart the basic concepts of social entrepreneurship to kids at an early age.  It will lay the foundation for participating on a bigger scale as they grow older.

Many Social Entrepreneurial organizations such as Ashoka, EchoingGreen, and the Skoll Foundation are inspiring and supporting teens and young adults to be social entrepreneurs. Thanks to these organizations and others, the field of social entrepreneurship has expanded significantly. However, little attention is being given to teaching our nation’s youngest entrepreneurial talent — our future problem solvers.

YesKidzCan is an organization that is empowering kids to engage in Social Entrepreneurship.  They recently launched the Social KidPreneuerz Awards Program. The goal of the program is to make $100 awards to kids in grades 3 through 5 and inspire them to undertake an entrepreneurial activity that benefits society. Each award brings with it a substantial feeling of responsibility and ownership and requires a commitment to complete the task. Their intention is to plant the seeds of social entrepreneurship among younger generations, instilling in them a belief that they can shape their world. They are also developing learning tools for parents, teachers, and community/faith leaders to use with students, either independently or in conjunction with the award application process.

Not every child is suited to be a social entrepreneur but they do have the natural curiosity, imagination, drive, and ability to come up with innovative ways to change the world for the better. By giving them opportunities to get involved and supporting them, we are teaching them they have what it takes to “be the change.” David Bornstein, a well-known expert on social entrepreneurs, , puts it this way: Once an individual has experienced the power of social entrepreneurship, he or she will “never go back to being a passive actor in society.”
When kids start from a young age, they are more likely to lead and create positive change throughout their lives. The result…more social entrepreneurs bringing change…now that has to be a good thing!!

Social Entrepreneurs Have The Key To Happiness

Many people search for happiness, there are websites dedicated to happiness, there is coaching on happiness and there are books and courses on happiness. Millions of dollars are spent in the pursuit of happiness so why is it that so many people still seem unhappy? I often hear people say “I just want to be happy” or “I’m not happy”. We try to find happiness in material possessions, wealth or experiences…”If only I could go on a holiday I would be happy”. The problem with these things is that they can only bring temporary happiness. I believe social entrepreneurs have found the key to happiness.

So what is this illusive thing called happiness and how do we get it?

The definition to happiness is a “state of well-being characterised by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.”

The Happiness Institute described happiness as the following:

• setting and working towards meaningful and positive goals
• having clear priorities about who we are and how we want to live
• managing our energy through sleep, rest, exercise and good nutrition
• recognising that all things bad eventually pass
• celebrating all things good and savouring positive experiences
• taking care of ourselves BUT also being kind and compassionate and caring and thoughtful to/for others
• managing our weaknesses whilst spending just as much time fully utilising our strengths
• having fun and playing and enjoying pleasure in all its various forms
• making happiness a priority

While I believe these things are worthwhile, I can’t help but think that too many of these things are focused on self rather than others.

50% of happiness is in the genes

Martin Reuter, a professor at the University of Bonn, published a paper identifying a gene that can help distinguish generous people from stingier ones.

 

We inherit two versions of most of our genes, one from each parent –  which can be the same or different. Those who are most charitable, Reuter’s research indicated, generally have a positive outlook on the world as well as two copies of a particular gene variant called COMT-Val. Those with one copy of a related gene variant, COMT-Met, are less likely to donate money to a needy child in a developing country, and more likely to have a negative view of life. People with one of each of these genes lie in the middle, according to the research, published in the journal Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience.

 

Lead author, Bruce Headey of the Melbourne Institute at the University of Melbourne, says the findings suggest genes only account for around 50 percent of well-being, with external factors accounting for the rest.

Helping Others Brings Happiness

Psychologists have been studing what causes an individual’s happiness for decades. In the 1970s many scientists thought that everyone had a set level of happiness – which they always return to – despite life’s ups and downs. This is called “set point theory” and is thought to be determined by genetics and early childhood experiences. However, the idea that happiness is a genetic trait influenced by early life experiences has been challenged by new research from Germany.

 

The German Socio-Economic Panel survey spent 25 years tracking the happiness levels of 60,000 Germans and seems to have discover the key to happiness. It found that people who were persistently involved in altruistic activities, such as helping people, were more satisfied with life and experience greater happiness. It also found feelings of happiness and wellbeing respond to external factors such as healthy lifestyle, religion and working hours.

Does money buy happiness? Well… yes and no

We spend a lot of money trying to buy things that will bring us enjoyment or spend time pursuing wealth. Yet, we all know people with plenty of money who are still not very happy. Just have a look in the tabloids! So, how can money make you happy?

 

New research suggests that it is possible to buy happiness after all: when you spend money on others. Study after study has shown that once your basic needs are met and you are not living in poverty, more money does not make you happier. Doctors Norton (Harvard Business School), Dunn and Aknin (both at University of British Columbia) wondered if the issue was not that money couldn’t buy happiness but that people simply weren’t spending it in the right way to make themselves happier. In a series of studies, University of British Columbia Professor Elizabeth Dunn found that individuals report significantly greater happiness if they spend money “pro-socially” – that is on gifts for others or charitable donations – rather than spending on themselves. ” Regardless of how much income each person made,” says Dunn, “those who spent money on others reported greater happiness, while those who spent more on themselves did not ”

How does money buy happiness?

A number of studies have researched exactly why charity leads to happiness. Surprisingly, it has to do with the effect on our brain chemistry. For example, people who give often report feelings of euphoria, which psychologists have referred to as the “Helper’s High.” They believe that charitable activity induces endorphins that produce a very mild version of the sensations people get from drugs like morphine and heroin.

Social entrepreneurs are committed to seeing change, to solving problems and to make a difference in the lives of others. They need to be able to cultivate public compassion for their cause but it is also up to all of us to get involved by helping others and giving.

You may discover that finding happiness is not so difficult after all!

“If you want happiness for an hour ? take a nap.

If you want happiness for a day ? go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year ? inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime ? help someone else.”
Chinese Proverb

The Secret To Success Is Giving

As social entrepreneurs, we need to use business strategies to develop our social entrepreneurship and make it more sustainable, but with so many books and articles on success it can be very overwhelming! The problem is that a lot of them focus on getting rather than giving so we must ensure that we find principles that align with our values and empower us to develop a successful social entrepreneurship within a framework of serving and giving.

We have all heard someone being described as a “go-getter.” It conjures up the thought of a successful and determined person who will stop at nothing to get to the top. I have just finished reading an excellent book called “The Go-Giver, A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea” by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It is a parable about a young man called Joe, a true “go-getter”, who is ambitious and desperately wants to be successful. The problem is the harder he works, the further away he is from his goal of being successful. Joe comes to the end of a bad sales quarter and becomes desperate to land a key sale, so he seeks leverage and clout from a legendary consultant, called Pindar.

What Joe gets instead, from Pindar and his friends, is lessons on “go-giving”. Pindar tells Joe “Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving…Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were.” Pindar and his friends share with Joe, the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success, and Joe learns that changing his focus from getting to giving leads to unexpected returns.
The details of the story are necessary to understand the Five Laws but this is the summary of them.

THE FIVE LAWS OF STRATOSPHERIC SUCCESS
1. The Law of Value
Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
2. The Law of Compensation
Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
3. The Law of Influence
Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interest first.
4. The Law of Authenticity
The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
5. The Law of Receptivity
The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

This book will inspire you as you go on the same journey that Joe goes on. You will find that you come away with strategies and principles that will improve not only your social entrepreneurship but they will also enrich your life and relationships.

In my post on Leaving a Legacy, I referred to success as something that can be short term but significance is the long-term value we place on our life to make a difference. If we can achieve success through giving and serving, then we will be living a life of significance. I have always liked the quote from Sir Winston Churchill “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” How purposeful and satisfying, though, when we can make a living and a life by what we give!

Social Entrepreneurs Becoming Great Leaders

Becoming a social entrepreneur requires more than a deep desire to see change and challenge the status quo, it also requires strong leadership. As leaders we must be able to inspire, guide and develop others in order to run a successful social entrepreneurship.

There is significant evidence to indicate that leadership can affect the success or failure of an organisation, particularly for small to medium organisations. So it is important that we continually look for ways we can grow and learn. Leadership skills and techniques can be learned, very few people are natural leaders. So be committed to learn and develop leadership skills and qualities.



8 Qualities of a Great Leader for Social Entrepreneurs

1. Have Vision. “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.” John Scully (Former CEO of Pepsi and Apple Computer)
Leaders have a clear sense of where they want to go and how they intend to get there. Vision leads the leader and it paints the target. Leaders see the big picture, then strategically create a plan to achieve these goals.

2. Develop the Entrepreneur in you
This can sometimes be difficult for social entrepreneurs because their main focus is on the change they want to see. However, you need your social entrepreneurship to become financially sustainable to accomplish your vision. Learn how to generate a mindset for success, develop business plans, use social networking strategies, develop a brand and learn from their failures.

3. Good Character. “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.” Bernard Montgomery
The character of a leader can be seen when they face the difficult circumstances that life throws at them. When we face challenges we can choose two paths: character or compromise. Have you ever been in a situation where it would be a lot easier to compromise? I have…I wish I could always say I followed the path of character! One thing I have learned though, is when we go the path of character, we gain great respect but it is quickly lost through compromise.
Leaders must be trustworthy before others will follow them. The qualities that establish trust are competence, constancy, being caring, authenticity and reliability.

4. Commitment
True commitment inspires and attracts people. It shows them that you have conviction. They will only believe in you if you believe and are committed to your cause. The Law of Buy-In states, people buy into the leader first, then the vision. Commitment will always separate the doers from the dreamers. Social entrepreneurs are big dreamers and visionaries, they want to see change, but we need to stay committed. It is during the difficult times, that our commitment will stand as an anchor in the storm.

5. Makes Decisions
“Never ‘for the sake of peace and quiet’ deny your own experience or convictions.” Dag Hammaarskjold, Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Leaders aren’t afraid to make the tough or unpopular decisions because they have confidence in themselves and in their abilities. They know their indecision wastes opportunities and resources. I have made plenty of wrong decisions over the years, as a leader, but the key is to learn from them and move on.

6. Communication
People will not follow you if they don’t know what you want or where you are going. Good leaders have the ability to convey their ideas to diverse individuals and adjust their styles to meet the needs of the people they lead. Convey your message clearly and seek a response to ensure you have been heard. Developing good listening skills is a big part of communicating…I’m talking about really listening, not thinking about what you are going to say next!

7. Competence
To cultivate competence, leaders need to keep improving and learning. They have a desire to continually learn and grow and are open to new ideas. Leaders follow through with excellence. Willa A. Foater remarked, “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

8. Help others succeed
Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.  ~Tom Peters. Leaders are not just satisfied with their own success, they empower others to achieve their full potential. They build productive teams through training, inspiring  and motivating them. Just as leaders need a mentor or role model, they need to mentor others.

As you become the leader you should be on the inside, you will be able to become the leader you want to be on the outside. People will want to follow you. And when that happens you will be able to tackle even the biggest problems in the world!

Change Your Life: Change The World

Social Entrepreneurs need to question the status-quo and be the agents for change in the world, but change is not always easy. Often as social entrepreneurs, we can focus on the change we want to see in the world but I think the first place we need to start is the change we want to see in ourselves. 

“You must be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi. As we learn to be more introspective and make the necessary changes in our lives, it will give us the skills and abilities to bring change to the world.
Most people know the changes in their life that would make the most difference but often these changes sit on their ‘to do’ list. Almost all change requires us to give and take. Often, the hardest part of change is not the change itself but what people must give up, the sacrifices we have to make for the better.


Human beings are creatures of habit. 95% of our behaviours are habitual and only 5% of our choices are consciously self-selected. Most of us greatly overvalue our willpower and self-discipline…we think that we only need strong willpower to change things. Think about all those New Years Resolutions, how many of them did you actually keep!

The fact is, the more behaviours become a ritual and routine, in the form of a deliberate and consistent practice, the more they will become automatic and take far less energy to carry out.

5 Steps to making change happen

1. Understand your ‘why’

This is a major factor to you being successful in the change you want to see. It is your purpose or commitment to a process that will eventually determine your outcome. Write down what  your ‘why’ is and refer back to it, so you have the motivation to change. When the challenges come, you can refer back to your ‘why’ because this will become your anchor. Build a foundation of motivation and commitment before you even think about making changes.

2. Challenge your comfort-zone

All of us get a sense of comfort and security from doing what we’ve always done, even if it isn’t working for us. We all know the definition of insanity – “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”Albert Einstein. Researchers Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey call this “immunity to change.” We have competing commitments to change – on one side there is our passionate commitment to change but this is counterbalanced by an equally powerful competing commitment to keep doing what you are comfortable doing.

This is an easy way to find your competing commitment. Think about the change you really want to make and ask yourself what are you doing or not doing to undermine that initial commitment. What is it costing you to continue doing the same thing over and over?

3. Be Specific about the change you want

Saying something like “I want to be more organised” is a recipe for failure because it is too general. Say something like “I am going to spend 10 minutes everyday writing a to do list for the day” or “I’m going to spend a day organising my office and finding a place for everything.”

4. Establish a support network

Many of us have an idea in our heads that “I can do it on my own.” The fact is though, that you are more than likely to actually implement change if you have others alongside you who are trying to do the same thing. You can connect through the challenges, learn from others, and feel part of a community. The community also serves as a reminder that this is important in your life. On the flip side of this, stay away from small-minded people who want to stamp on your dreams because their intent is to hold you back with them.

5. Believe

Your belief will develop your faith. You can’t change your behaviour without first changing your belief.  Believe that you can and challenge any thoughts that say you can’t. Get rid of the doubt and the fear of failure because these things will always hold you back.


The average person launches a change effort six seperate times before it finally takes.
Change is hard. It can even be painful. You will  experience failure at times but it is through our failures that we can find success.

As social entrepreneurs, you may be seeking change for yourself so you can be a more effective leader or for the social problem that you have identified. Determine in your heart and your mind that you will not quit because success is connected to action!

CAREER PROFILES // HOW BECOMING A DRIVER-PARTNER COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Today I’m partnering with Uber!

I had the pleasure of speaking to an amazing woman named Kim, who is a driver-partner in Los Angeles. As the single mother to a beautiful little girl with special needs, Kim needed a job that would allow her to choose her own hours. As a result of a demanding school and therapy schedule for her daughter, Uber was the perfect solution. After working in the fashion industry her whole life, she knew she needed to be able to make her own hours in order to take care of her daughter. Being able to keep a flexible work schedule is exactly what she needed in able to work around her daughter’s schedule.

Kim told me, “As a mom, it has been a god-send to be honest. My life is about my daughter and it has been since she was born, especially when she became ill at 15 months old. Six days a week she has therapy and school; she is my primary goal. Uber has allowed me to not have to get a full-time job and be able to take her to school and therapy on my own.” Because the app is so easy to use and is so accessible to everyone, it has changed the way people are getting from each destination. Kim said, “The biggest thing I love about Uber is that it has changed the way people are traveling. They aren’t driving drunk anymore, it is such an amazing benefit.” She also said she loves picking up people after they have been partying; they are the most fun! Because no ride is ever the same, Kim never gets bored and is always energized and entertained by her passengers.

Even more amazing, the Australian mother was hand-picked by Uber to speak before City Council in regards to allowing the company to pick up travelers from LAX airport! Becoming a driver-partner allows you to learn even more about your city than you could have imagined. Not only can you make extra money for the holidays, but you truly can become your own boss. This amazing single mother explained how becoming a driver-partner can change your life in such a positive way. We are seriously inspired by her! Becoming a partner is not only great for those who want a flexible schedule, but also for those who want to socialize more and make extra money for the holiday season. Check out the details for becoming a driver-partner here.

The post was sponsored by Uber.