Today the Change is You.

Lately there has been all of this talk about social innovation and entrepreneurship and how brilliant ideas will help people recognize you and discover your amazing talents and capabilities. The idea is that in order to be promoted, acknowledged or viewed as a successful person you must be a visionary; cutting edge in your approach and view of the world. I don’t know about you, but this is a very intimidating thought. I often second guess my abilities and fear that I am not capable of such innovative ideas. However, scary as it seems, I think there is a certain truth in what these people are saying. Think about the man that has worked behind the same desk for fifty years or the woman that recites the same phone script day after day after day. They routinely perform these mundane tasks in the same old environment fearful of change. In fact, in order to compensate for this fear, some people might even argue that this is exactly the life that they want to be living. Safe, comfortable, no risks required. Well, I’ve got news for you: those days of accepting the norm are over. It’s time to step outside of your comfort zone and take a risk. Social innovations do not have to be radical changes. You can be a visionary in the workplace constantly thinking about ways to improve the system or better the company. You are capable of imagining a better tomorrow and actually doing something to make that change. Everyone is. But it takes risks to see if these thoughts will work. Everyone has the ability to think and imagine a new idea, but too few people believe in themselves enough to do it. Whether you’ve had an idea, an “ah-ha” moment or period of enlightenment, I imagine that you have experienced some form of realization in your life.

The real difference between social innovators and your average Joe-Schmo is that those innovators are willing and ready to take risks. Take TOMS shoes for example. Blake Mycoskie saw a need for shoes in Argentina. Instead of sitting back and waiting ten years for someone else to have the same realization, he designed a business model, inspired the right people and is well on his way to becoming a legendry hero. That could be you. There is really no difference between you and Blake Mycoskie. You need not be revolutionary in your desire to implement change or seek improvement, and chances are if you suggest a modification or try a new model in your work people will be impressed with your suggestions and your openness to try new things. Many people are fearful of change and this limits their ability to try new things. Be the change maker. See the world in a new light. Don’t be afraid to share your vision. So you fail and need to pick up a few pieces off of the floor… get up and try again. Just because people are talking about social innovation and being the change-makers of the world doesn’t mean that you are excluded from the conversation. Just think about it, the next breakthrough could be you.