Are you stuck in the same old routine? Do you have big dreams of making a difference in the world but don’t know where to start? Well, I’ve got some exciting news for you! The book “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler is your ticket to unlocking the power of positive change. Whether you’re looking to make a change in your own life, your community, or even the world, this book will give you the tools and strategies you need to make it happen. So why wait? Let’s plunge in and start making your dreams a reality!
Creating change might seem like a daunting task, but it’s easier than you think! It’s like building a snowman – you start with a tiny snowball and then roll it around until it gets bigger and bigger. Just like that, identifying the key behaviours that will have the biggest impact is like giving your snowball the right push to build a massive snowman. For example, let’s say you want to improve your grades in high school. You could start by identifying the 2-3 vital behaviours that will make the biggest difference, like setting aside dedicated study time each day, actively participating in class, and seeking help when you need it. Focusing on these behaviours will set off a chain reaction, just like a domino effect, and lead to the outcomes you desire – better grades and academic success!
Similarly, if you want to develop healthier habits, you could focus on the vital behaviours that will make the most difference, like eating balanced meals, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. Just like building a snowman, these small changes will accumulate and lead to a happier and healthier you! So, take a moment to think about your goals and identify the key behaviours that will make the biggest difference. Then, give your snowball the right push and watch as it grows into a magnificent snowman! We, at Rudder4life, takes immense pride in our Purpose4life Youth Development Programme, which instils in young individuals a sense of purpose that goes beyond their individuality and inspires them to become the change they wish to see in the world.
The book outlines six powerful sources of influence that you can use to motivate and enable people to adopt these vital behaviours:
- Personal Motivation: Make undesirable behaviours more desirable by offering choices, making your vision tangible, and connecting the behaviours to your deeper values. Imagine you have to read a chapter from a boring textbook you don’t like. You could make it more desirable by choosing to read it in a different location, such as outside or in a cosy spot in your home. You could also make it more tangible by setting a goal to finish the chapter by a certain time and reward yourself with something you enjoy once you complete it. Finally, you could connect the task to your deeper values, such as the desire to learn and succeed in your studies.
- Personal Ability: Seek out the information, skills, and training you need to successfully perform the new behaviours. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek out mentors. Let’s say you are struggling with a difficult math problem. You could seek out information by watching online tutorials or asking your teacher for help. You could also develop your skills by practising similar problems and seeking out additional resources, such as textbooks or study groups. Finally, you could find a mentor, such as an older student or teacher, who can guide you and provide advice.
- Social Motivation: Leverage the power of positive peer pressure and support networks. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can hold you accountable and provide encouragement. Suppose you want to join a sports team but are unsure if you’re good enough. You could leverage positive peer pressure by surrounding yourself with friends who also want to join the team and encouraging each other to try out. You could also seek out a support network, such as a coach or older teammate, who can provide guidance and motivation.
- Social Ability: Create opportunities to learn from and support each other. Collaborate with your peers, share your experiences, and celebrate each other’s successes. Let’s say you’re working on a group project with classmates. You could create opportunities to learn from each other by sharing your ideas and collaborating on the project. You could also support each other by offering feedback, encouragement, and help when needed.
- Structural Motivation: Design reinforcement systems that reward the desired behaviours, whether it’s through recognition, incentives, or a sense of accomplishment. Imagine you want to improve your grades in a certain subject. You could design a reinforcement system by setting a goal to earn a certain grade and rewarding yourself with something you enjoy once you achieve it. You could also seek recognition from others, such as your parents or teachers, who can provide positive feedback and encouragement.
- Structural Ability: Modify your environment to make the new behaviours easier to perform and harder to avoid. This could involve rearranging your workspace, introducing new policies, or changing social norms. Suppose you want to spend less time on your phone and more time studying. You could modify your environment by creating a designated study space, turning off your phone using an app to limit your screen time, or setting specific times of the day for studying without distractions.
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Seek out colleagues, friends, or mentors who can act as coaches and champions for your change initiatives. Empower influential individuals to become advocates for change and mobilise the majority to create a positive feedback loop of support and encouragement.
Are you ready to act and make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you? “Influencer: The Power to Change Anything” offers a proven framework for achieving lasting change. By focusing on a few key behaviours and leveraging the six sources of influence, you can unlock your full potential as an agent of positive change. As the authors so eloquently state, “The desire to be accepted, respected, and connected…really pulls at human heartstrings. And as far as the rest of us are concerned – managers, parents, and coaches – learn how to co-opt this awesome power, and you can change just about anything.” So why wait? Adopt the mindset of an influencer and start making a meaningful difference today! A must read!
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