A change agent is someone who is easily able to make changes in their lives and also the lives of others. They are often considered to be people of great influence and very likable. They seem like natural leaders. These desirable traits can be built and enhanced quickly in just a single step. That step is to learn and build a belief in yourself that you can easily change your own beliefs. Think about that for a moment. What bigger transition could you make than to fully believe that you can change anything? Wouldn’t that empower you to take on any challenge, overcome any obstacle and outperform any expectation? That is what a change agent needs to do and they need to be able to instill that in others as well to not only change themselves, but also those they interact with and teach.
The Belief That You Can Easily Change Your Beliefs
My last article, I talked about the foundation of beliefs and how using the power of emotions associated with pain and pleasure can have you steer your beliefs and build the ones you want. Well, that applied with practise and consistency will lead a person to believe that anything can be changed. That one belief is the driving force behind every great change agent. Only if you believe that something can be changed, can it.
The Power of That Belief
People with strong beliefs for changing things not only have the confidence in their own ability to change but also the ability to make change happen and to help change others. This confidence is visible from anyone interacting with them and it helps to brood more desire and willingness to change. This is what makes them successful, there is no room for failure if the belief is there and strong enough to make the change happen.
Showing That Belief to Others
Unfortunately, the world we live in forces us to see and hear negative discussions and disengaged people from both their work and lives every single day. People often float through life considering themselves to be victims without taking on any responsibility for what they have immediate control over. Well, that is a choice to live that way and its also a choice to not only change that, but also to become a change agent to move away from that shift. I know that if you are willing to change your own beliefs to have a bigger impact in the world without simply sliding through life dealing with what gets dishes your way, you are more likely to grow, learn, build your own beliefs, steer your own life and influence others. That kind of attitude is contagious and attractive, especially to those that are on the verge of a similar discovery but needing one more example or person to demonstrate that yes, it is possible.
I encourage you to make yourself a change agent but working to show the things you have accomplished, the things that are difficult to change but you have learned to overcome and then to help others do the same in their lives. That can lead to making a big change in the world by living not just for yourself, but in a way that changes the lives of many!
Posted by Mike King under Business | 6 Comments »
Jonathan at Illuminated mind provoked some thoughts on this topic for me by asking "What’s Right With Your Life? " He challenges his readers and other bloggers that we often focus on fixing things that are broken and work to change things we don’t like in our lives instead of appreciating and looking at the things that are right. While I do agree that many people look at it that way, I find it to be a comment and set of questions more about a perspective or way of thinking than it is about some general approach in life. I initially had this comment below on his site and I wanted to elaborate on that further with this article.
Be the Most You Can Be
So I don’t really think that looking at areas of change in our lives is in any way focusing on what is wrong. Instead, its a way to recognize the areas that work well and that we want more of. For some people that is success in work, or goals and plans with family, or areas of their spiritual lives. No matter where this focus is for you, you can approach it by looking to be the best person you can possibly be and to make the most of your life. That enables you to drive change and maximize the great things in your life and the lives of those around you.
Welcoming Change
Change is not a bad thing in life and it is certainly not a bad thing when you are looking to change in a way that is more beneficial to your lifestyle and those around you. Striving to change in order to bring more happiness, joy, love and service into your life is not something that should be ever looked down on. Changing this type of area in life is not about changing something that is broken, but instead, changing something to make more of it. To reinforce your passions, to experience more joy and happiness in life and to bring more love and service into the world is worth welcoming into your life. Look to change these things and bring them into your life.
Another perspective is that change is often presented as an opportunity, which most people would consider far from avoiding what is broken. I see the same when looking to change the things you want in life. It’s an opportunity to improve what you want and desire more of, not a way to fix anything that is broken. I can’t remember who said this, but it’s been said, "That everyone makes the best decision they can possibly make at the time with what they know" (or something close to that) and I think that makes the point that as we learn more and understand more, our decisions will change but it is not because there is something to fix, it is just something to change!
Appreciating What You Have
With all of these comments about welcoming change and looking at self-improvement from a more positive perspective, I definitely agree with Jonathon that there is value to appreciate what you do have, instead of thinking that there are things to fix. However, I disagree that it’s something to simply avoid because of that attitude. We often forget to tell people about the things we appreciate and especially how we appreciate them in our lives. This is hugely valuable not only to see and be thankful for the things in your own life but to also share that and show the same appreciation to others for the impact they have! Wouldn’t you want your friends, colleagues, boss and loved ones to tell you sometimes what they appreciate about you? Of course, so why don’t you start and tell them first what you see!
Being thankful for your talents, skills, health and life are all ways to better recognize how you can use those in life as well. The things you do appreciate should not be hidden or protected from others, they are gifts and items to be cherished not by yourself, but with those you love and care for. Whether they are material things, skills or talents, you can find ways to share them with others and still appreciate them.
I truly believe that the changes in live, the experiences everyone has and the skills and talents people develop are not by their own doing, but gifts by the grace of God. Appreciating those and making the most of them for the service to others is worth any focus and attention you can give them. This includes talents in self-improvement and personal development. People have grown accustomed to strive only for material things and be complacent with their mind’s ability in all areas of life from knowledge to spirituality and self-discovery. These are the areas of life that can bring an understanding of meaning and purpose beyond what any material, temporary thing can provide so using them to find, explore and share the things that are right in your life is not only something you should appreciate, but also something you should continue to develop and share with others!