In my last blog, I reminded you that you have more power and influence than you think. You can read that article again here, for a power top up!

What local, national or global issues are on your radar? How would you like to make a difference?

Start by making a list of them – even if they’re ones over which you think you have no power or influence. You may find that it’s quite a long list, perhaps including climate change, access to green spaces, library closures and high local levels of homelessness.

Now go through the list and compare each of them against the others. Is one more important to you than another? How would you feel if you didn’t take action? Which, if addressed, could have the biggest effect for you or for others around you? Which might have the biggest local effect? Which might have the biggest global or national effect? Are some of them related or linked? Which make you really fizz as you read them? Which do you only ‘sort of’ care about really? Which seem the biggest and most intractable? Which seem easier to address?

Consider all of these questions, in order to rank or sort your list, so you can come up with your top 3 issues that you’d like to influence. You may find that they are all related, or they could be distinctly different. It doesn’t matter – it’s what’s important to you.

Consider What You Can Do

Brainstorm to come up with some simple first steps that you could take, to start to make a difference. Starting small is the best way to start!

People often feel disempowered since they feel alone in their quest for change. Talk to others and find out who else cares about this – together you can come up with ideas.

Consider what your role models might do in this situation and take ideas from that. What have others done in similar situations? Could you do the same? What is the absolute minimum you could do?

Write a list of the most harebrained ideas you have to take action. Write a list of the simplest things you could do. Note down the toughest things you could do. Note down the cheapest and most expensive things you could do.

What would your mum, best friend or boss suggest you should do? What would you do if you were 100% confident you’d be successful? What would you do if it was so urgent you must take action today?

What aspects of your campaign could arouse media interest? Do you need money for your campaign? How will you raise that? How many others do you need beside you to make a difference? How will you find them?

Now Do It!

Lots of research shows that just having an idea and starting small helps us feel more empowered and in control. And you also need to take action. Having a list and ticking off small actions give you a good feeling of progress. Plan 3 small actions this week.

Often by talking to others you feel more connected and that gives you strength. Mention your concerns to two other people who might be interested. “I’m concerned about …what can we do about it?” Lots of national and global action starts really small in your neighbourhood. You connect with others locally. Your local group connects with others regionally, to support and cheer each other on when you have setbacks. You draw on the experience and advice from professionals. You start a social media and press campaign. You read reports and gain ideas and strength from groups elsewhere working on similar issues. You don’t know it yet but what you are doing is influencing others, maybe 5 miles away, or 500 miles away. You’ve created a movement. You’ve made a difference.

Small actions that you take locally have a ripple effect and you may not see how far those ripples spread. In 2018 I spoke at a local planning meeting to oppose the extension of our local limestone quarry, which is 250 metres from my home. I felt very alone. Now I’m part of a strongly connected group of 7, still guiding our fight against the quarry. We have over 1000 members on our Facebook page, Save Our Green Spaces Dinbych, supporting us towards a formal Planning Inquiry which will take place in the town in August. We are connected with similar groups in North and South Wales. We are engaging environmental experts and will be represented by a barrister. We know we have already made a difference in building local awareness of environmental issues. That’s already a win for us.

If you don’t have the confidence to take action, get in touch for a coaching conversation. I’d also love to hear of your success in making a difference in our own back yard, or more widely. Call me on +44 07977 072 760 or click here to email me and we can talk about how you can make a difference no matter how small.