Change from within

“It may seem naively idealistic, but I know that as long as we can imagine a better tomorrow, we can work towards a better tomorrow.  Such idealism has seeded the world with some of its greatest accomplishments and social institutions.  I can change my own life and practices to make these ideals live in what I do in my life today.”

— James Orbinski, M.D., Past President of Médecins Sans Frontières

Though one can argue that what the world needs is a lot more systematic change, and not simply individual change, the fact remains that a combination of both is necessary.  Because people are the building blocks of organizations – it’s people that can affect change.  To be plain spoken, the buck stops here!

Many organizations concentrate and emphasise processes, procedures, databases and forms, etc, to help improve efficiency and effectiveness.  While this certainly can be part of improving organizations, it remains that the people within it cannot remain unchanged or the improvements will have no effect.  A disconnect between changes in processes and the changes in the people who apply them can only lead to a negative outcome.

Changing the people within the organization has very little to do with “navel gazing”.  Creating change from within an organization is about acknowledging that change affects people – and that people affect change.  Big and small.

How are you changing your own life to create a better tomorrow?

What actions are you putting into practice that affect positive change?

How is this change affecting your organization?

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Talking to yourself

The time is ripe, after lasts week’s post on talking about ourselves, to now think about our internal conversations.  You can put your best foot forward when communicating with others about what you do,  but internally vocalizing your thoughts is an equally, if not even more powerful skill.

Talking to ourselves is what we all do (some of us out loud too).  The little voice in our heads that constantly sends messages to the brain, that’s the chatter. It’s that little voice we listen to the most.  It’s always there. We can seek to quiet the chatter, or better yet, we can use it to our advantage.

I wear a bracelet around my wrist everyday that I call it my “positive posture” reminder.  First, it reminds me to positively focus my thoughts so that what I the voice I hear the most brings me joy, encouragement and moves me forward.  I use my own chatter to reinforce positivism.

At less than 5ft 2in, I tend to always look up to people when I speak to them.  Posture is therefore my secret weapon.  The thing is: no one will notice my height in inches, but they will notice if I stand tall and strong.  And so will I.

Have I gone off track here?  Not really.

By focusing my thoughts, I can remind myself, gently and positively, to straighten my spine and push my shoulders back.  The messages I give myself aren’t about being short and frumpy.  They are about feeling my height from the inside out.  I am positively focusing my thoughts in this direction.  And I can believe in it – I can actually feel it.  High heels or flats, I know I have it in me all the time.

What kind of chatter is going on in your mind right now?

What positive or negative reinforcement are you giving yourself?

What could you vocalize in your mind that would create even just a sliver of positive change for you?

What we tell ourselves does matter.  And how we do it is entirely up to us.  Inside.

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Talking about yourself

Let’s just jump right to it.  Who is your best sales person?  YOU.  Isn’t that pretty simple?

Oh, if only it were so.

It constantly astonishes me when speaking to entrepreneurs (myself included), how we can forget this very straightforward principle.  Case in point:  I have to write a 50 to 100 word profile on [co]imagen coaching and consulting and I find myself at a loss for words!  Time to get back to basics.

Whether in written format, or verbally, we all need to have an “elevator speech” ready – about who we are, what we do or what we need others to know.  This short introduction is your way to capture direct attention even if you are not looking to sell anything.  Presenting yourself is key to networking, professionally and personally.

Here are a few quick tips:

1)    First, say what you do.  Nine times out of ten, no one cares about your title.
2)    Then tell them what makes this important, interesting or timely.
3)    Finally, be sure this says something about what make you unique.

Which says more about a person?
A)    Hi.  I’m the Senior Corporate Strategic Logistics Sub-Director for Region D at XYZ company.
B)    Hi.  I research the best locations for community outreach centres so that low-income neighbourhoods have access to health and social services.

See the difference?

This is a great selling and marketing tool for yourself, your organization, and your enterprise.  But also a means to talk about yourself in a way that shows much depth and spirit!  It’s not scary – it’s real.  It’s you.

Now, off I go to listen to my own advice…

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