Joyful Jubilant Learning

Making A Difference: A 5-Point Plan of Action

As of this weekend, our JJL September 2007 Forum draws to a close.

Or does it?

In September, we set our sights on these questions:

How has your learning already made a difference, or how do you know it will? What is the difference you are learning to make, and what are you doing to make it happen?

We received a variety of answers, and I have a challenge for you. Think of getting started with this as your JJL Weekend Project:

You have read much on what others think about making a difference. Others have shared their stories of learning, and their tales of doing. Now...
What will be the story you start to write for YOUR life today?

In one word, my challenge to you is HO‘OHANA. Weave in whatever inspirations you gained here over the last month into a plan of action whereby you can work with purpose, working directly on the difference you hope to make.

Most of my learning (and perhaps I’m not alone in this!) has not been from books, nor courses, but from Life itself.  Events that paint a picture.  Failures that teach me what not to do next time.  Successes that teach what works.  Conversations that  help me ‘join the dots’ and nurture new ideas. —Pete Aldin, the Great Circle Coach, in Anxiety Writes the Script

To the left, you will see that the Make A Difference compilation page link will remain parked under our Recurring Features heading. Here is a possible 5-Point Plan of JJL Action for you.

1. Choose a post or combination of them which truly resonated with you. In your heart, mind, and soul you know they called out to you because you can do what was spoken of or dreamed of: You know you can make it real. You know it will make a difference for you to make a personal resolution and follow through. If it makes a difference for others too, all the better, but you know you need to start with you first, and as Greg had said, BE the change.

2. Get specific: With that post as your catalyst, write a vision for where you will be with your intention-turned-action a year from now. What will be your best possible outcome? Articulate what it will look like, sound like, and feel like for you. Eventually I hope you will toot sweetly, but for now, tell yourself.

3. Plan concrete actions: Brainstorm a list of possible actions you can take to arrive at your vision step by step, action by action. Then, give yourself a time table and pattern to follow with diligence, perhaps weekly (maximum effect) monthly (also good in theming – like Joanna does with her writing ingredients, and as I do with values) or quarterly (can be best when you enroll a team in your plan, but individually you are better off with weekly or monthly patterns).

4. Now go back to the post which inspired you, and Enroll us in your goals. Jump into the conversation there and get the author to mentor you. We keep our comments open here, and no matter how far these posts drop into the archives, the author who had penned that post gets an immediate email notification when any comment is made.

Connect with them. Subscribe to the RSS feeds or email alerts on their own blogs, for chances are you will find strong connections there to whatever they may have written about here. Notice that I purposely coached you in 1.,2., and 3. to do your own draft first: that prep is important if you are to raise the level of conversation with your chosen mentor, and not simply agree with them – this is your plan, not theirs. They are here to help support and coach you.

5. Now Do it. Work your plan, and Make your difference. Keep your plan ever present in mind so you can be alert to possible High Quality Interactions that connect with it. Then next September, when our forum rolls around again, grab our invitation to post and take the next step – share your lessons learned, and you will inspire; you be the next mentor. You’ll be ready to make bigger differences in waves that enlarge your circle of influence, becoming the pebble that creates the ripples in the pond.

"Together" makes the difference

September has been a big blogging month for me - my first full month writing here, a focused month of writing on authenticity at my Confident Writing blog, and reading, writing, learning and sharing from the contributions at the 'Make a Difference' forum.

I wasn't sure how I could boil down my learnings from all this into something remotely rapid fire, so I'm grateful to Greg for the mind map but also the final challenge, which gave me the hook for identifying my main learning points.

He challenged us to do this:

Review this months posts and pick one distinction or learning that really resonates with you and integrate it by putting it into action in your life. Then make a point by letting the author know what you learned and what you did to integrate what you learned from their words. Taking this extra step will help to build their identity, confidence, and teach you to recognize those who have impacted and helped you.

Now I'm adapting this a bit - because I'm going to identify five learning areas and five pieces of writing that helped me to learn - but it comes from a specific phrase that he used

"what you learned from their words"

Words and writing are my thing.  I love writing - but I love reading too, and I love the way we can write and read together, weaving our words together, developing a richer narrative from the interconnections that they make.  And the main learning point for me this month is how we can learn together, grow in confidence together, tell a different sort of story together.

What I learned from the WORDS here was this:

W: Words can make a difference in the place where we work.  Dwayne's piece on zombies muttering 'what difference can we make' inspired my second ever podcast on how we can use word power at work to prove we're humans, not zombies - thank you!

O: Other people's words and stories can inspire us, spur us on to bigger and better things.  Reading the commentary on the collaborative learning song - and the series of interactions that went with it, about being part of a team, encouraging each other, providing mutual support - well it was great to read, share and be a part of

R: Words can resonate when they come from deep inside us.  My words touched Karen's in some way, and her writing touched, inspired, moved I don't know how many of us - all over the world

D: Writing with distinction, learning how to toot sweetly, is something we should all aspire to - and writing, working, learning together will help us to do it - quicker, louder, with lots of honking!

S: Narrow your focus and your words will hit the spot.  One I'm going to keep learning to learn - and apply next month as I focus on writing with clarity...

For me this forum, this learning community is not a series of essays.  It's a web of stories, ideas, words, learning, possibilities that we have woven together, that develops, evolves, turns into something new, different, intriguing, possible - right in front of our eyes. 

We have all talked about ways that we are learning to make a difference.  But sharing that learning together is what really makes the difference.

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Joanna Young writes at Confident Writing on how we can realise the power of our words. 

Writing, learning, reading together is one of the most powerful ways of doing that so please feel free to hop on over and join her there...

She's been focused this month on what it means to write with authenticity - moving on in October to focus on writing with clarity. 

A Promise to the JJL Community: We will Make A Difference

How has your learning already made a difference, or how do you know it will? What is the difference you are learning to make, and what are you doing to make it happen?

I received a blog tag from Terry Starbucker this past Monday. I’m going out on a limb here, and taking the liberty of responding to him on behalf of the entire hui (group) of contributing authors we have here at Joyful Jubilant Learning.

My feeling is that this is not a conventional blog tag meme, but one that speaks into a commitment you decide to make to uphold the honor of what blogging can, and should be. Like any medium, dignity and honor is created for the whole by the actions of the individuals within it. This does Make A Difference; a big difference.

Thus, I wanted to squeeze my response into our current forum, for it seemed to fit so perfectly. Therefore, I ran short of time to run my draft by my fellow authors here, but knowing them and their intentions as I do, I didn’t feeling forging forward with this was that big a risk: I know that each and every one of them wants to write for a blog that strives higher; one that is committed to making a difference. They are Alaka‘i ka ‘ike, Guides in Learning who lead by their great example [alaka‘i.]

In fact, a few of them have already committed to this Blogger’s Promise (initiated by Joe Hauckes, author of Working at Home on the Internet). You can read what was said by our authors individually:

1. Terry Starbucker: I'm Making Joe's Promise
2. April Groves: Remembering Who I Am with a Promise
3. Joanna Young: Respect for the authentic conversation: comments, links and all that jazz

All of you who read Joyful Jubilant Learning are very important to us. You inspire us in the penning of every word here. We always write in the hope you will decide to join our conversation one day, for then you become teacher and we your willing, eager student. However an online presence can be scary for some, and joining an online community can seem to be too consuming a commitment. We understand, and even if you never choose to add your voice to these conversations, we want you to be proud of us, and proud to learn from us, and with us, silently in your own way.

So I, and I am sure my fellow authors here, do not hesitate to make this commitment to you. In sharing this blogging promise, and joining the ranks of many people we admire, we start with our values:

  [Badge designed by Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness.]

Because we are committed to Aloha and Ho‘ohana,
[i.e. We write with the Intention of unconditional Aloha]
Because we are committed to Collaborative, Lifelong Learning,
Because we are committed to the Inclusiveness of Community,
Because we are committed to the Possibilities We Create within our Humanity,

We, the Authors of Joyful Jubilant Learning do Ho‘ohiki
[We make this Promise]

We will add value and conduct ourselves with distinction in the blogging community.

• We will be sure to comment on other Blogs if we can add to the conversation in our spirit of collaborative learning.
• We will respond to comments on our own Blog.
• We will acknowledge any links to our Blog with a comment on or trackback to the linker’s Blog.
• We will continue to link to other Blogs that are pertinent to our posts’ content.
• We will commit to being a Vital part of the Blogging Community, in full acceptance of our responsibility in Learning Leadership.

And you know what? We do collaborate here: No post is ever set in stone forever … Consider this a first run, and jump in with your feelings my fellow authors, for I am happy to keep editing this until we have a manifesto we proudly shout from the blog-tops in one clear voice, Lōkahi.
~ Rosa Say

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Footnotes to references above:

• on Ho‘ohana: By Blaine Collins: The Body Ho‘ohana

• on Ho‘ohiki: On Ho‘ohiki: Keeping your promises

• on Lōkahi: Lōkahi Teams: The ties that bind are your shared values, and Lōkahi Teams: When they are Virtual and Voluntary.
  
  By Joanna Young: Lōkahi: the language of collaboration.

• on Making A Difference: Our Compilation Page.
  

Learning to make a difference.

"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."... Marcel Proust

Have you ever noticed how life is set up as a perfect learning environment?  It comes to us in bite sized chunks -- a day, a year or a lifetime -- with a time or season for every step... for experience, for reflection, for synthesis and for rest.  We get the opportunity to do what we will, then review it, take stock, wise up.. and then go all over again.  And even though we give the transition periods dark names -- night, winter or death -- aren't these still just part of the process.. times of renewal in preparation for the next cycle of learning?

Sometimes, when we pause and reflect, we get to see life's lessons and gifts retrospectively... but it's only right here in this moment that we really learn, and access the source of what we need to create a future beyond our wildest dreams.  Life constantly tries to grab our attention and bring us into the moment, but we tend to be so enamoured with our own agenda that we're rarely present enough to see this.  This is probably what William Blake was getting at when he penned, "He who binds himself to a joy does the winged life destroy;  But he who kisses the joy as it flies lives in eternity's sunrise".

But, if we choose to show up, we discover it's the most incredible classroom.  Here  Professor Randy Pausch, with just a few weeks before his body quits, gives his last lesson on life at Carnegie Mellon. (you may get a little misty eyed in places :-))

 

If you don't have time to listen to this lecture then I'll give you the takeaway:-  "It's not about how to achieving your dreams, it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way the dreams take care of themselves."   So let's explore this idea:

We learn best when we are happy.. not when we are thinking, or attempting to accumulate knowledge, but when we become open minded.  For sure, when we get into 'flow' there's a stream of ideas and connections that are happening, but this isn't 'thinking' as such - it's receiving.  It's doing the things we enjoy that releases the need to think.. and this allows our creative spark (our 'inner' light if you like) to shine through.  As Joseph Campbell so wisely advised - just  follow your bliss.

Really creative people recognize that the talent that flows through them is seeded from a Source far grander than their ego.  When a reporter asked the then 12- year-old tennis sensation Jennifer Capriati, “Do you intend to be the next Chris Evert?”  she answered, “No, I intend to be the first Jennifer Capriati.”  Mozart put it this way: “It is when I am, as it were, completely myself, entirely alone, and of good cheer . . . that ideas flow best and most abundantly.  Whence and how they come, I know not, nor can I force them.”

If this is true, then there's really no mystery to happiness or secret to life... inspiration and joy just flow from us in the space between our thoughts.  And if we could just be who we are, in this moment, we would know that.  As Marianne Williamson put it, ".. as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”   In other words, we are what we really seek.. but no amount of reading or practice can teach us this.  Like Love, our true Self is only really know as it is expressed.  Perhaps the similarity isn't a coincidence at all. ;-)

So it's not what we do or what we say that makes the difference, but where we are coming from.  The choice is this:  We can choose to express what we think we know, or we can step back from that and come from an open mind, allowing this feeling of Truth growing within us to express itself.  And if we forget, then it's no big deal -- we'll get a chance to learn this lesson again tomorrow.  But then again, why wait?

Nick Smith -- Life 2.0

If I was a life long learner

Our collaborative effort is complete. If you are not familiar with the original song you can view it via YouTube.

And with our sincere apologies to the Barenaked Ladies here is the JJL version:

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd write on my blog (I'd write on my blog)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd buy a real new computer (maybe a nice Apple or an HP)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd learn to use del.icio.us (a big fancy link-sharing machine )
If I was a life long learner, I'd link to you

If I was a life long learner
I'd join a group of joyful learners
If I was a life long learner
You could help, it wouldn't be that hard
If I was a life long learner
Maybe we could collaborate on a song
Wouldn't that be wonderful!

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd send you an email (but not a spam email, that's cruel)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd invite you to the group (like LinkedIn or FaceBook)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd record a podcast (maybe a video someday)
If I was a life long learner I'd link to you

If I was a life long learner
We wouldn't have to walk to the library
If I was a life long learner
We'd ask the group a question something we didn't know
If I was a life long learner We wouldn't have to go without knowing

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd live without watching TV (especially a reality show, that's cruel)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd leap to help someone in need (like a good Samaritan)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd laugh with you at good jokes (maybe tell one myself)
If I was a life long learner I'd love to link to you.

Being the Difference: My Solution to Change

by Greg Provance, co-founder, Change Starts Today

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." -Edith Wharton

My first introduction to "being" (at least consciously) was when I walked into Alcoholics Anonymous for the first time in New York City, somewhere around 1995.  I quickly decided that change was not for me, at least not that kind of change!  For seven more years, I recessed back into my "rock-star" life and lived in oblivion to who I was being, numbed by the sweet lull of alcohol, drugs, adrenaline and denial.  Then, on the afternoon of June 25th, 2002, I walked back into that room (this time in Los Angeles) and allowed the welcoming arms and stories of experience, strength and hope to permeate me, at least just enough to embed a seed of light into my heart.  What I did know was that the pain of my past behavior, combined with the failure of my trusted elixir to drown my fears and insecurities any longer, had landed me in a place that I had hoped I would never have to be.  What I did not know, was that by becoming willing to be someone different than I had been, even if it meant I had to shatter all expectations of what was about to occur, I was, in fact, about to change!

Today, after over 5 years of sobriety, I have learned so many things, all the while conscious of the idea that a true master is one who knows he will always be a student, allowing me the space to make mistakes and foster further growth.  At the very core of all of these things is a simple principle that guides every thought and every action that I take, at least when I remember to use the tools I have been given.  That principle is this:

Be the change...

Now I'm sure that there are not many of us on this planet who have not heard this phrase before, in some shape or form; but at risk of sounding cynical, I am willing to bet that the vast majority of us fail to live it daily, my self included, I'm sure.  Yet I find that when I am adhering to this principle, practicing it in all of my affairs...my business, my relationships, my spiritual life...things just seem to go right.  Life is peaceful and serene.  Opportunities to be of service and to learn and grow present themselves.  Money is less of a problem and more abundant.  Life just works...even when it's not working!  Anyone out there resonate with this? 

My former life was centered around getting loaded.  Everything I did was with the sole intention of sinking into the mire of drunken bliss, where I did not have to face my thoughts, fears or responsibilities.  My new life, the life I have learned to life as the result of living by principles (like rigorous honesty, integrity and connection to Spirit) is one that is centered around making a difference by BEING THE DIFFERENCE ...the difference in me, my work, my family and in my world.  This was one of the toughest lessons to learn, considering the path I took to get there, but I am profoundly grateful for the experience, nonetheless.  It has changed who I am and who I am being forever.

Anyone else have experiences they can share on being the difference?  Please comment! 

And if you wish to receive FREE COACHING delivered to you email daily, click or paste this link.

My gift to all of the Joyful Jubilant Learning Community...may you always learn and grow!

Until next time,
Greg Provance
www.ChangeStartsToday.com

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About the Author
Greg Provance is a professional life and success strategist, residing in Los Angeles, CA.  He is co-founder of Change Starts Today, a coaching company dedicated to living and building extraordinary lives.  As a performer, his accomplishments include numerous roles for film and television, including hosting and Emmy-winning series for NASA and PBS.  He enjoys a successful 8-year marriage and is a father to his newborn son.  An avid surfer, he spends time traveling to exotic surfing destinations with friends and family.

Learning how to ask great questions

There’s an art to asking great questions isn’t there, questions that open up possibilities, that start us exploring new angles, seeing things from a new perspective, wondering: “what if…”

I’m not sure if this counts as a two-footed question but the challenge laid down by the organisers of Blog Action Day is one that really got me thinking:

What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day?

Wow.  That’s a big question.  What would happen?  Aren’t you curious?  What kind of ideas, stories, words, anecdotes, research material, jokes, songs, photos, videos might get published, swapped, exchanged?  What kind of possibilities might start to emerge from the conversations that followed?  What could we learn – together – all of us – by talking about the same issue, all of us, on one day?

Well, on the 15th October we get to find out.  For those of you who don’t know the issue is the environment – as big, as broad, as important as it gets. 

As this sounds like learning to make a difference (and a half) JJL has signed up to be part of the party.  I’ll be sharing some ideas about things we have learned, are learning, will learn – and keeping track of contributions from JJL writers as they post on their own sites, clicking in from all over the planet as the earth, in all her glory, turns

If you’ve got a blog of your own and you’d like to be part of this massive experiment – there’s still time to sign up at Blog Action Day.  If you’d like to share your thoughts, your ideas, your inspiration, your learning with the rest of the JJL community – and don’t forget that’s readers as well as writers – check back here on the 15th October and link to the place where we’re learning to make a difference.

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Joanna Young is curious about what might happen when we start to realise the power of our own words...

You can read more of her work at the Confident Writing blog where she's getting ready to write on the 15th October (at least twice!) on how words and writing can make a difference to the environment that we live in

Selling myself short - it's hard to make a difference if you don't believe you can

“...The recognition, the realisation, that I’m less than totally brilliant at – or confident in – tooting my own horn. And the more I reflect on it, the more I suspect that’s what I need to focus on learning.  Perhaps because it feels like a stretch. ”

Those words of Joanna’s struck a chord within me that resonated long after I could no longer hear the note, like a beautiful harmony that goes on and on and on.

I was sitting at my computer catching up on the wonderful writings about making a difference here at JJL, and thinking about the fact that I would soon need to nail my own contribution. I was curious about what I would write about.

Joanna had a recognition that she isn’t confident, “or brilliant” at tooting her own horn. And suddenly, I knew what it was I am to write about – because I need to learn it! Often I will sit down to write, or to coach, and what I most need to learn becomes the subject matter. Today is no different.

I have been told a lot lately that I need to KNOW it… accept it… feel it... live it.

What’s “it”?

The trusting and knowing that I make a difference in the lives of others.

I grew up not realising that I made a difference to those around me. I felt that it was more of a one-way street, that my friends made a difference in my life. And so I struggled endlessly to ensure I gave something back.

A couple of years ago, I had a phone consultation with William Whitecloud – author of The Magicians Way. He told me my false belief was that I don’t make a difference.

Recently, in my practicum classes at Coach U where I am doing my final classes to graduate their Advanced Coaching Program I have been held to scrutiny by the class leader – a Master Certified Coach – who wanted to know when I was going to KNOW that I am a masterful coach, a coach who makes difference (in front of the whole class!!).

Just this last week, I led my first group coaching call to a group of my classmates – and one of the participants gave me this feedback: “Give yourself credit for a job well done! Really let the comments on all your strengths sink in and allow you to really believe in you! I have had the pleasure to work with you several times now, Karen! You are a treasure!”

And with this history (and all that mind-talk that happens at moments like these), I read Joanna’s post about Realising the Power of our Words. It was like all these pieces of a puzzle that I have been collecting and diligently placing on the table suddenly grouped themselves together and became the most delightful picture, lit by soft glorious sunbeams.

I need to recognize and really know, deep in my heart, that I make a difference in order to make an even bigger contribution to the world in which I live.

I'd like to take a loan of Joanna’s words, and make them my own:

Because I know it will take me out of my comfort zone (waaay out there!).

Because it will force me to learn new skills: how to connect with people individually and en masse to really get to the heart of what they need, and how best to make a difference in their lives; how to listen even deeper to the words left unsaid; and how to shine my light brightly (another challenge!) so that the difference I make can be felt by all who need it.

Because it will get me out of my own fear and have me moving forward. 

Without the belief that we can make a difference, we live smaller lives – lives with less meaning and purpose. Lives stunted by our own self-imposed limitations.

I’m accepting the challenge… and I really want to know if you’d join me in knowing that you, too, make a difference in the lives of others.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

        - Eleanor Roosevelt

 

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Karen Wallace (finally) believes she makes a difference to the lives of others; helping them find that sense of calm that allows their hearts to sing with joy.  Karen is editor of The Calm Space - a virtual magazine that is like a day-spa for your senses... launching October 1st!

Notes to Make A Difference by (audio)

The audio post version of the written post found here.

Time: 5 minutes, 46 seconds

MP3 File

Notes to Make a Difference by (text)

The collaboration and learning here during this month is quite amazing. I was beginning to panic on what I could add to this impressive discussion. Fortunately, the radio was on. Pat Benetar was belting out:

"We are strong, no one can tell us we are wrong."

We are strong and look how much stronger we are getting! Then Neil Diamond chimed in:

"I am," I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair

Thanks to the read/write web, the days that Neil sang of I think are mostly behind us. We can still be reflective, but someone will hear or read it when we post. And then the conversation will start, and if we take the blog off the blog, who knows what will happen!