I thought I would take the time to share a few of the key lessons I have learned in this journey in social entrepreneurship. Some might think they're obvious, but for me, and probably similarly for most Type "A", driven individuals, we find a goal and just GO. We see the end of the light at the tunnel and we just don't stop to collect the $200. When we finally get there, we realize we misstepped, or could have done things differently.
There were steps and situations where I had to teach myself each of the things below... hoping that by understanding these lessons more people can find their own path or at least encourage people to act!
So here's my top 6 lessons. Would love to hear your thoughts!
1. Stop talking. So many people are convinced they want to do good; that they want to provide value to the world and to their communities. And guess what -- they keep talking about it!! This does nothing for themselves, their communities, or the world. Stop talking so much! The world needs a bit fewer positive words, and much more positive action.
2. Align your heart with your life. If you really truly believe in something - enough to do something about it, take a SERIOUS look at your calendar and your bank statement. Where are you spending your money? What are you doing with your time? Time is precious, more so than our money and if you are wasting it away on nights out drinking and watching reality TV shows - how can you fit in your life what it truly is you want to do? There's no harm in vegging out - but make sure it actually aligns with what YOU really want out of life.
[Side story] After finally leaving my job full-time to become "full-time" at Cheti, I feel for the first time in my life that all of my being is aligned. What I think about, what I care about, what I want to do, what I do do, and where I spend my time and my money are all aligned with the same goals. You will never find true peace until you're able to commit for and to yourself and your vision.
3. Getting "off track" is the best, and most defining part of your life journey. Travel. Quit your job and study something you love. Join a group you never felt like you belonged. Volunteer regularly. Pretend like you're doing a documentary (or really create one?) and interview people you never understood - ask them questions. All of these activities take you out of your bubble and enable you to see things differently. It is when we are finally able to step aside, that we are able to see ourselves from a higher view-point. From up there, you can see what you want to change and where you want to go.
4. Just ask. I never realized how willing people would be to give, donate, help, support, guide until one day I just quit being so prideful and just ASKED for it. Now I ask for something every day. I don't get everything, (wouldn't that be a nice world?), but I certainly get more than if I never asked at all!
5. We are all in it together. I mean this in a couple of different ways. So I'll make sure I'm clear.
- All of us social do-gooders are in it together - fighting poverty, alleviating hunger, and saving the globe from environmental disasters. We need to stop the fighting, competing, and trying to one-up each other and learn to partner better; grow together, accomplish more, and witness real change.
- All of us in the world are in it together - the globe isn't getting bigger, there's just more and more of us people populating, absorbing resources, and populating more. Sounds a bit like a people problem --- therefore, there's got to be a people solution to all of our issues. We created them all. If you're a person - take accountability and do something about it. We're in it together.
6. Be not afraid of your weaknesses. This is one of the hardest lessons for me, and continually is. To acknowledge a weakness takes personal character to begin with. Then to recognize that it's okay I'm not great at "x", how can I work around it, or ASK to still reach my goal? Example: I went to Tanzania at first to teach English. What did I learn 1.5 weeks in? I can't really teach. So what did I do? Tried to find another way I could apply my strengths to still accomplish the same goal - help these children I loved. By understanding our weaknesses, we can find ways learn, work-around, or partner.
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