4 Steps to Launching a Project or Initiative
Step 1. The Switch: from complaint to inspired action.
Let’s start right at the basics. As we go about our daily activities, we come across different information and different experiences that have the potential to trigger a response or have us form an opinion.
These responses fall into two basic camps; we either like it or dislike what we are experiencing/witnessing.
Once we have formulated our opinion about it, we start internalizing this opinion further through thoughts and then when given the opportunity through conversations with others.
In the “like camp” we promote the wonderful experience and through this ultimately may influence others to also want to engage in whatever it is we are referencing. For example, a great movie we saw, a good shopping experience or a pleasing meal enjoyed at a restaurant. All is well as we go about this positive, working model of living.
If on the other hand, we have an unfavorable experience and we dislike it we might fall into a pattern of judging it or complaining about it. The duration of this varies and the more we internalize and externalize it, the more it consumes and ultimately grips us.
It becomes challenging for us to relate to it any other way.
The good news: there is hope and an opportunity to shift. When we start relating to these experiences from a place of non judgment and ask, “what would make this experience more satisfying or how could this be a more workable model”? Our brain starts shifting from complaint to possibility. We start forming new models in our head, this is a highly creative and innovative space.
We intuitively know that there must be a different way. It is where I believe inspired action starts.
Step 2. Advancing the Inspired Action
Now that you have discovered the first step to inspired action, let’s advance it so that it feels relatable to you.
As soon as we start exploring a nonjudgmental way of relating to our situations, we start noticing the unlimited boundaries of our imagination.
Some of the ideas will seem more reasonable than others, they are all available to us and for our participation. Ultimately, we get to choose the ones that interest us the most and dismiss the ones that hold no interest.
We all have established interests, experiences and learning that relate to our ideas and inspired actions. Certain themes will prevail as these inspired actions are influenced by what we are doing in work and life. We will gravitate to the inspired actions that are most interesting.
Let’s bring in a real-life case study to put this conversation into context.
During the early days of COVID Dave was struggling to find his regular supply of charcoal for his outdoor hibachi. The charcoal that was available in his local shops was more expensive and not locally sourced. He was not impressed and wanted to change the current method of accessing charcoal. This intrigued Dave to research more about how charcoal was made and the true cost of making it.
As he uncovered more information the process of making his own charcoal became more realistic.
Dave was advancing his inspired action.
Steps 3. Talk to Others:
At this point in the project evolution, we have probably spent many hours researching our topic/inspired action. We have watched all the YouTube videos and read various books or website resources; we are informed.
Our experience is very much in our head with a limited amount of exposure to others. Now is the time where we are feeling inspired to share our ideas with others.
It is important to note here that when we share with others, they have their own opinions and knowledge of the topic. So, choosing our collaborators wisely or being prepared to only take what contributes and then leave the rest behind is essential. Start looking for others who you consider experts.
In Dave’s case, he reached out to individuals who had some experience making charcoal. He met with them in person or virtually and they shared some of their early charcoal making practices and kiln designs. He had the opportunity to ask questions and take notes. They had their own version of cautionary tales, and he modified his ideas accordingly.
He took the information from others and added this to further his research process. Talking to others should enhance our own innovative abilities. Each of us offers another perspective and interpretation that wasn’t available before our entry into this process.
Sustainability and innovation are a creative partnership that expands the existing models. When we personalize these models, we inspire others to do the same. It becomes the most genuine way to enroll others to discover their own inspired action activities and projects.
Step 4 Build it and they will come:
Whatever the project or activity is, we know we are still inspired by it…. And we would like to share this joy with others. People love seeing others take on their passion, it’s contagious and it attracts a genuine connection.
Start developing the project by involving community. There are many ways to do this. You can invite others to join you, or you can bring your inspired action-based project forward into the world at the presentation level that works for you.
Let’s continue with Dave’s story, over the last few months he dedicated his spare time to understanding the charcoal making process and the various pyrolysis or kiln designs. He researched and sourced the right material to build his own kiln. He wanted to have his own experience regardless of what others relayed to him.
Part of the process of fulfilling on our inspired action project is building it, taking it apart, trying again and fine tuning it accordingly. Being frustrated and doing it anyway. To continue to remind ourselves that this project is not about what others think but for us to have new experiences and expand beyond our current conditions.
Dave has since shared his kiln design and the results of producing his own charcoal with others. Charcoal has many uses beyond fuel for our hibachi. I will go in to more of the details of charcoal’s use in another post. For now, let’s say he has inspired others to want to be involved with making charcoal and using it for their own activities, specifically augmenting soil and using it as a co-compost ingredient.
Creating a sustainable community helps create a sustainable you. It also reduces the pressure of thinking we must take on change on our own. Getting involved with other community members who share a common cause or interest will generate momentum, encourage social connection, and advance creative innovation.
We are all interconnected, a thriving individual and thriving community go hand in hand.
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