How to Change the World

by Scott Cofer

Are you one of those people that has grand aspirations of changing the world?

Maybe you’d like to end hunger. Promote world peace. Cure cancer. Develop new sources of energy. The possibilities are endless, and our human ability to “dream big dreams” is limitless.

Whatever your dreams are, I’m here to tell you one thing … you can do it.

How can I be so sure?

Because in order to bring about massive change in the world, there is only one thing that you need to do. One, critical but achievable activity that spawns tremendous results.

And what is that one, magical thing? Change you …

Think I’m wrong, and making this huge quest of yours seem too simple? Before you write this entire concept off, please take a moment and consider this.

Apparently, for centuries many people have wrestled with this same exact aspiration … and elusive solution. Must be a “human” thing …

Fortunately, in 1100 A.D. a very insightful monk (of all things) came up with a perfect solution that has stood the test of time. And I quote:

“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change my nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town, and as an older man I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize that the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

So decide today to stop worrying about “changing the world” and all the other things in life that you have no control over. Simply change yourself for the better … and be amazed at the cascading results.

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  • Robert Miras

    I would agree for that, how can we tell others to be good when in our own we are bad? That makes sense of living in a modest way, then people around you would observed and moved without a word from you, but let your deeds say it for you.

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  • http://gbgtraining.blogspot.com/ Scott Cofer | GBG

    Yes, Robert. Our actions speak MUCH louder than our words ever will. “Lip service” never gets anything accomplished …

  • http://www.balancedworklife.com/blog Bryce Christiansen

    Thanks for this Scott.

    I work in the professional assessment industry and on occasion someone will look at their assessment and ask me, “How do I get someone to adapt to my behavior style?”

    It’s amazing how natural it is for us to think about how great it is to change others, when the real power comes from being the one who makes the changes.

    Great visiting, hope to be by often.

  • http://www.balancedworklife.com/blog Bryce Christiansen

    You got it completely right.  In order to change the world you need to change yourself.

    Why are we so hardwired to thinking we can change others?  If I think about most of the arguments I’ve ever heard it really was just a back and forth discussion about what the other person should do. 

    Wouldn’t it be nice instead to have a situation where people went back and forth discussing what they could do better?

  • http://gbgtraining.blogspot.com/ Scott Cofer | GBG

    Well said, Bryce. It’s much easier to point out the flaws in others than to take a good, hard look in the mirror at ourselves.

    Not surprisingly, our world never improves when we constantly criticize and/or attempt to change others … it only improves to the degree in which we improve ourselves.

    Best,
    Scott

  • http://gbgtraining.blogspot.com/ Scott Cofer | GBG

    Thanks for stopping by, Bryce, and I appreciate your input.

    Yes, being the one who makes the changes is a prime example of leading through personal action. MUCH more effective!

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