Change is difficult. Probably the most difficult activity for humans. Our brains don't like Change because it requires energy. They like what they are used to, because it's easy, it's comfortable.
But our brains also like Evolution. There's no doubt about that. Every day our brains seek to learn more, improve, make stronger neural networks etc. So how do we drive the right kind of Change - the Positive, Evolutionary type? I'll show you below, using a bit of an odd analogy.
Change... as a Car
Change is a Vehicle for Evolution, aka for Forward Movement. Right? So it's not that difficult to make the analogy. So hang with me.
What does it take to move us forward? Well, many things actually: A destination, a driver, a functioning car, fuel and a road. But more importantly, we need a reason. Why are we going from A to B? Let's take them one by one really quick:
1 - A destination. We need to know where you are now and where we need to go. We need to have a clear image of our current situation and a clear outline of our goal. Being specific works best: e.g. I want to go from throwing away 1kg of trash per week to 0kg. I am emitting 10kg of CO2 per year, I want to reach net zero. Not less, zero.
The Journey is as important as the Destination, so the more extreme the Destination, the more exciting the Adventure and the bigger the Evolution!
So the question will be: Where am I now and where do I want to be?
2 - A driver. Our mind is the driver and our mindset are our driving skills. Can I drive? Do I know the rules of the road? Do I know how to turn on the car? Where the acceleration is? The driver thus needs to have the education, the knowledge to go from point A to B with that vehicle. Research is necessary. Training the driver is necessary.
E.g. How do I lead a lifestyle with zero waste, zero emission, zero child labour?
Follow the Zero Way: (1) Think in Cycles (2) Know Your Products (3) Ask many whys
(4) Connect and share (5) Make your voice heard
3 - A functioning car. Our car has to work properly in order to actually move, right? So it has to be in good functioning conditions. The technology needs to be working properly. The car is actually... our tools, be it products or skills.
As products, it can be actual tech, like a composter, a solar panel, an app that helps you plant trees etc. It doesn't have to be a Toyota though, it can be a horse. It can be something as analogous as a bucket to put your compost in, or a silicone pouch to store your vegetables for a longer time, a stainless steel bottle. As skills, the ability to form and maintain habits (acceleration), the ability to give up on stuff that you don't need or are dangerous (break), our capacity to persevere by coping with whatever comes our way (clutch).
So the question is: Do I have the tools and skills I need?
4 - Fuel. We can have a clear destination mapped out, an awesome car and the best weather possible, but if we don't have fuel, the car won't even start. The fuel are our feelings. Our motivation. The fire that keeps us going. The WHY. We need a very strong Why to keep us going. And we need to keep that engine going by fueling it with the right feelings all the time. Every person gets motivated by different feelings.
Know your fuel. Is it diesel happiness? Then celebrate your small wins often.
Do you need anger gasoline? Watch the news and get constantly angry at the state of the world. Do you have a social energy battery that needs recharging? Do it together with friends. Join a community. Build your energy station.
Keep fueling your feelings to keep the car of change going.
And don't forget mental health, as important as physical health. It's okay to take a rest. Driving when we're tired is dangerous.
Now, the question is: What is my fuel? What keeps me going?
5 - The road. No matter what happens, there are some things you can't control. Some parts of the road will be smooth. Others not so much. There will be bumps in the road. You have to either avoid them or drive right through them. You can't change the road, you can only change your mentality. There will be stop signs, passers-by, bicycles. Some people will drive like snails and you'll get angry at them. Some will speed by like there's a baby coming. No matter what happens, remember that everybody is on their own journey! Respecting every driver's speed makes for a safe ride.
6 - The last and most important thing you need is a reason. Although it should have been first, I put it last just so I can come full circle and hand you the baton. What is your why? Why do you want to change in the first place?
Never forget why you started on this journey in the first place. Whether you did it because you truly and unconditionally love your children and you want to offer them a better future, or whether you're doing it because it's the right thing to do, whatever the reason, it has to be your Northern Star that guides you. When in doubt, look at your guiding Star.
Don't forget to say a little prayer when you enter the car. Just in case. It can't hurt to accept there are some things we don't know yet about us, about our beautiful blue planet or the universe beyond.
I love you!
Drive safely!