Tiny Revolutions

November 22, 2009 · Comments

aphids Every step towards success requires a tiny revolution. Evolution is too subtle. Revolution is too drastic. In between, let’s add “tiny revolutions.” Here’s what I mean.

By “revolution,” let’s consider these your moments of break away. You decide one day that you loathe being a cubicle farmer. You decide one day that you need more money. You decide one day that you’re sick of feeling fat and lazy. You pick whatever the “cause” is. What happens next is that you move from thinking into action-taking.

That step is huge, by the way. The difference between thinking about something, deciding something, and DOING something is like the difference between firing a gun and just throwing the bullet. (I think I stole the bullet analogy from Chris Rock.)

When you decide to take action, the hope is that you’re moving towards something that matters more, and away from something that wasn’t quite working for you.

Before you launch your revolutions, realize these details:

No King Ever Ordered a Revolution

When you make your choice to do something that wasn’t what came before, you won’t find a great deal of support. Institutions exist to preserve themselves. People, by their very nature, cling to “how things are,” even when they don’t really like the way they’re going. We have a natural tendency inside of ourselves to want things to stay the same (again, even when “the same” is synonymous with “not really what I want”).

In this same way, the people you count on for love and support might not always support your revolution, either. They see you as what you were, not what you’re dreaming you can be. Your family, your loved ones, people in the system that you think are on your side might not always see your vision as clearly as you do. (One way to help is to explain things clearly, in simple terms, with a sense of the goal you’re seeking to accomplish, but that’s sometimes easier said than done, and other times, it doesn’t help.)

Revolutions Require Daily Action

Planning for “someday” is ineffective. You have to decide what your revolution looks like on the day-to-day scale. Have a vision and keep it far out in front of you, but give yourself daily tasks that will accomplish it. For instance, over the coming year, I’m planning to do much more with improving how human business works. One of the tasks I do daily is seek out new articles, books, blogs, and other content to help me better frame my ideas.

Revolutions are Made Up of Many Events

The American Revolution had several events that brought everything forward. It didn’t just start with the “shot heard round the world” and then we all sat down and wrote the Constitution. The same is true of your own tiny revolutions.

You decide one day that you don’t like how your company handles customer service or marketing or whatever. You decide that you don’t feel treated well at home. You decide that you’re living the wrong life. Whatever the moment is that starts things, you will also experience and participate in several other events along the way.

The KEY difference between your revolution and letting life live you is that YOU start making these events happen, instead of just letting them happen to you.

When I decided to leave my wireless services company, one of the events I made happen was that I took my enthusiasm from a BarCamp I attended to the senior team. I pushed for them to see the value in starting invigorated micro-conferences within the organization to help grow our capabilities. They wanted to stay the course (which is what business people do when given options). That event gave me information I needed to further make my decisions.

Tools of the Revolution

With this new change, you need new tools. You need new ways to see, new ways to think, new ways to evaluate, new methods of support. You need to try new skills, learn more about different ways of doing, you need to build new habits and forge new alignments.

Tools of the revolution are iterative. We use the tools we take from our surroundings first, but as we develop and evolve, new methods, new systems, new structures form and solidify. Pay close attention to this. Without a shift into new tools, you risk falling back into the status quo.

Revolutions Need Not Be Bloody, But They WILL Hurt

Moving from one state to another involves pain. It might be emotional. It might be physical. But pain is part of revolution. In some cases, it might be the pain of admitting that something doesn’t work well for you. In others, it might be the physical pain of improving your body, or dealing with that medical issue that you’ve put off. Pain can take many forms. The most important thing to realize about most pain is that it’s temporary and that you can work through it.

You can’t dip your toe in a revolution. And at some point, there’s a line that you cross. No matter what happens next, the revolution has started. It doesn’t always end in your favor, and hey, you can retreat (I have). But taking action means that you’ll feel some kind of pain along the way. Accept that. Expect that. And don’t let it get in the way of your goals.

Not All of Us Want a Revolution

You’re not a bad person if you don’t want to start tiny revolutions. You’re not wrong. People aren’t all into the revolution game. Also, if you ARE starting revolutions, remember that not everyone wants in. You might be going this alone. There’s nothing more annoying than the righteous trying to convert those of us who aren’t down with the cause. Understand this dynamic, as it matters a lot to the relationships around you.

Revolutions can be silent for a while. Realize that when you decloak, there will be some turmoil. Never presume the “people” support your cause. It just hasn’t been that way throughout history.

Where Do You Stand?

Have you started a revolution? Do you feel the stirrings of such in you now? Have you been witness to someone else’s revolution?

What else do we need to discuss here?

Photo credit aroid

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  • There are also big communication revolutions http://eskokilpi.blogging.fi/
  • charlesbrooks
    Often we forget the little guy, the SMB, in our discussions of the comings and goings of the Internet marketing industry. Sure there are times like this when a report surfaces talking about their issues and concerns but, for the most part, we like to talk about big brands and how they do the Internet marketing thing well or not so well.


    www.onlineuniversalwork.com
  • tomruwitch
    Great post, Chris. I totally agree. I recently co-wrote a book called Generation BIG -- The Rising Tide of Dreams to Action, in which we describe tiny revolutionaries -- bold, innovative, and generous people who are changing the world. You've captured the essence of BIG in this post. I just added a post to my blog that applauds and links to your post: http://www.generationbig.com/tiny-revolutions/
  • Another great post Chris! Maybe I should start my tiny revolution.
  • Tiny revolution... briliant
  • I think a tiny revolution is a great way to describe what you are writing about here. I like your idea of daily action; I think this is essential to remember if you want to be the leader of the revolution. I also think that a revolution is impossible without the proper tools that you were alluding to.
  • I've taken more than a few jabs from friends, colleagues, and bosses for being an early adopter. At first it used to bother me, but now I see it as people being afraid of change. Early adoption and innovation is just in my DNA, it's how I roll, it's a badge of honor. << The KEY difference between your revolution and letting life live you is that YOU start making these events happen, instead of just letting them happen to you.>>
  • I am in a personal revolution...I took a painful "first step" by parting ways with an organization that had helped me grow, it hurt, but it is also freeing and exciting.

    Did I "burn bridges"? Time will tell. I really wanted to help this organization move forward, bring them along with what I have learned, but they are not ready, so it was time for me to move in a different direction.
  • Great post. Your post about tiny revolutions reminds me of a small Dutch book I read earlier this year by my collegue Caroline van Leenders about 10 tips for smart control (10 tips voor slimme sturing): http://www.slimmesturing.nl/
    I use her tips a lot, especially the think big act small and start invisible parts. Although most of my work as a civil cervant trying to use web 2.0 to enhance sustainability is visible by now (for those willing to see it).
    This post is an excellent complementary to her book.
  • ElizabethT_UK
    Just reread this and its even better second time round - I relived my own experience of starting a new business some years ago. Which this year, needed its own revolution to get some of my colleagues thinking about social media and how to involve it in their daily work lives. Too easy to become complacent and miss the world turning without you.
  • Just met with an established Community Foundation about a revolutionary social services model. However, I left with the uncomfortable feeling that I was too far on the "fringe" for them - like I'm someone to be blackballed from their club rather than embraced and appreciated for having the passion, energy and desire to serve those in need in our community.

    You covered all the important points in this post, Chris. And your timing couldn't be better. Thanks.
  • I'm working on creating a revolution. I'm trying to use my blog as a tipping point. It hasnt' been easy. But like you said no revolution is easy.

    I love how you say rehumanize business in your newsletter. We need to kill off our old way of doing business. Upper management treating their employees like parents treat their kids.

    Trust is the key. We need to trust each other and let each other create freely. Creating this open environment will increase happiness and productivity. It's a win win. The hard part is convincing everyone that it will work.
  • MatthewRP
    I started a tiny revolution....7 years ago. Still tiny. Wanted to start my own business and change people's lives - get them to realize what life is, and that it is going fast. I keep waiting for something or someone to tell me what to do. Well, I met someone the other day who said to go for it. Then, I went back to my day job.
  • Gr8 post Chris.. I like this post, i always got as updated as possible post here so i always come here to see the update.. This is really an incredible post..
  • kparker
    I think it is the small steps that we all often forget about and expect it all at once. Thanks for the inspiration!
  • kparker
    Hi,

    I really like what you had to say here. I think one of the biggest problems for us in change, is wanting it all at once. It is those daily steps that build the bigger picture. Thanks for a bit of inspiration!
  • I think that blogging is a set of revolutions from starting out and onward.
  • I heard Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, at a conference.

    He said something that has stuck with me all these years.

    Someone asked how Intel had made it.

    He was very honest.

    He said that Intel was close to the wall at one point. They were getting crushed and had lost direction — this was before microchips kicked off.

    So, he gathered his team and told them: “if we could start again, what would we do?

    Forget what we are today. What ‘s the one thing we need to change.”

    They bet the house on micro-chips.

    They ditched the rest. People were in arms. It didn’t matter. This was the path they were going to take.

    To stay where they were was suicidal anyway.

    Sometimes you have to throw it all away – and make a fresh start.

    Ivan
  • Wonderful topic! One thing I've noticed about this is that it doesn't necessarily follow the Hero Changing the World model that our society often looks to.

    History books and cult of personality notwithstanding, it takes a lot more than just one person with a good idea to get things rolling. If the time ain't right, no amount of individual genius or will or persistence can make it happen. There are plenty of people who've fallen by the wayside, because their Big Idea was out of sync with what the world was ready for.

    So it ain't enough to be driven, or gifted --even genius isn't enough to make a revolution happen. We also need to understand *timing*. We need to know how to read the way that big wave is curling, then jump on the surfboard at precisely the right moment so we can ride it home.

    If we manage to do that at exactly the sweet spot, just before most folks notice that it is indeed a tsunami in the making, then gosh ...it looks like we changed the world, all by ourselves.

    Yeh, right.... ;)
  • cathmary
    Love this post. Incredible synchronicity to receive it today, as I step into my own "tiny revolution".
  • researchgoddess
    Chris:

    My revolutions have all come about through unforeseen job changes :) First job I had, I was let go for interviewing at another company - this led me to blog. Another job from which I was let go led me to where I am today, getting an opportunity to explore the world of employment branding and get my hands dirty with it. Sometimes, like you said, change can be painful, and it can be tacked on to events that seem unfavorable or were out of your control to begin with. But if you look at each circumstance as an opportunity to grow, and you roll that grown into your ultimate plan - you will wind up a better person after it's all said and done!
  • i waited with this response, but the song just keeps playing in my head (and I thank you to Oasis for the great baseline)

    So I'll start a MEvolution from my bed
    'Cuz you said the brains I had went to my head
  • I just wanted to thank you for this post. It is very encouraging and inspirational.
  • Chris,

    Great post.

    There you go mentioning a King again...

    The Franchise King
    Joel Libava
  • There is much truth in your philosophy Chris. I value your insight and discussion.

    This caused me to remember a discussion my Father had with me when I was in elementary school and eventually a decision I made to take action. I was bullied often in grade school by some kids in the grade ahead of me. I was usually the kid that stood up for the other kids, but when it came to me, I just kinda took it. At some point, I guess it got to me, and my Dad found out. He took me aside and gave me the talk. I'm not sure how smart it was but the take away point was in something he said that could have semblance to your point about pain.

    My father told me, "Hey, at some point you will need to stand up for yourself and hold your ground. Now it may be painful. But, I bet, if you challenge them, and say "I'm prepared to take mine....Are You prepared to Take Yours?" And I did, and it worked!

    Reading between the lines, I know he wasn't advocating for violence and in some way he was trying to protect me. He did. It was a learning lesson that I try to apply when faced with adversity or challenges. If things are not going the way that I want, I must be prepared for some pain to take things in a different direction.

    Working in the Health Care Industry poses many challenges. Deciding to leave a stable job and start a new company is painful and risky. Procrastinating and remaining complacent about deciding and initiating the start of the new company was more painful.

    The hope and desire to create a meaningful and worthy company that serves its customers and clients is the pleasure I chose to indulge. Yes there are pains and setbacks, but the risk/reward is the motivator.
  • julialindsey
    I agree that any change worth having is worth waiting for. Daily activity is great advice if you want to keep your vision fresh. I am during the
    american revolution the didnt decide to take a month off to relax.
  • My revolution is happening right now, it's been happening for about 3 years, and the end of the battle is so near I can already taste it. First thought that popped into my head while reading this was that so few people in my life even know I'm going through this revolution. Like you said, Chris, most won't understand it, most won't support it. It now consumes so much of my life and provides so much excitement and drive and happiness and gratitude, yet because people aren't even open-minded enough to accept that I'm now moving in a different direction, they don't know a wink about it.

    I accepted that at the beginning, so I never get upset about it. It's just...sad.

    We might logically know that not all who we care about will "see" the new direction we're moving, but that doesn't mean that we don't personally wish they did...for their own sake.

    Thank you, Chris, for one of the most thought-provoking posts I've read in a long time!
  • rebeccamacd
    Chris, I love the idea of Tiny Revolutions. I think lots of folks want a change, we just think we have to do it all at once, so getting started is hard. We see the magnitude of the change and freeze in our tracks (speaking from experience!). Taking small steps works, because one step inevitably leads to another. Having a vision in mind to remind yourself of what you want your life/job/family/whatever to look like and using it as a motivator, not a mountain to climb, helps.
  • An excellent take on why we need to realise that our path to success will not be an easy one.

    I like the statement "Revolutions are made up of many events"

    Regards

    Paul
  • After working in a factory for a few years and doing the same exact thing every single day is when I got my first real tiny revolution. I'm too restless to not make something of myself. So here I am today trying to make a difference. I hope anyways lol.

    Excellent post though. It seems like there is a certain point when it just hits you. And I can relate to the point of not having support too.

    People don't always understand why you should step out of your comfort zone and expand yourself. I had to do something though. Someday they will see why. They may not be able to do that themselves they may understand a little more.
  • Revolutions upset the apple cart. There is no getting around it. Sometimes I revolt against myself and the way I've done things. I prefer my own revolutions rather than the ones inflicted upon me.
  • ryanstaylor
    A tiny revolution requires strong motivation. You have to ask how badly do you want it? If your desire to achieve is not strong enough, then your tiny revolution will fail, even if you begin to take action on it.

    My two tiny revolutions this year is lose weight, and start a personal development blog. My desire became strong enough for both that I'm able to pursue these goals with great vigor.

    As Chris states, you can't tip your toe in a revolution. You have to have the burning desire and the guts to go all in. So the question is, what's your desire?
  • Awesome post! Once the decision is made to actually do something, everyday progression still must occur.

    When it comes to blogging, some things seem so monumental. As soon as many new bloggers throw out the idea of "overnight success", anything can be achieved over time.
  • You've got a unique knack for posting inspiring content that really speaks to what I'm thinking. I just started a sort of revolution of my own. I'm in those early stages where I've taken a position and now I'm seeing things come my way that are supporting me in my decision. I did a lot of soul searching, overhauled my site/blog, and posted my thoughts on my revolution a few days ago. Here's the link to my post where I talk about jumping off the cliff:

    http://www.brandonsutton.com/connecting

    Thanks for the endless inspiration Chris!
  • This is just what I needed on a Monday morning... as my tiny revolution is underway. Thanks a boat load Chris!
  • louiseholmes
    Thanks Chris. Great post! So on target.
    "The KEY difference between your revolution and letting life live you is that YOU start making these events happen, instead of just letting them happen to you."

    After being laid off 4 times in 6 years, enduring chemotherapy, a divorce, and several other adverse life events in the same time period, I felt like a rubber ball with all the bounce missing. Resilience? I didn’t have an ounce left. It took me six months of participation in a series of education programs to realize that I felt like – and acted like – a victim (life happens to me…I have no control). Ba da bing! THAT was the beginning of my tiny revolution. My friends and family were happy to say good-bye to the whiner.

    Taking action, even when the outcome is uncertain, is empowering and energizing. I've started my new venture, Nine Work Lives, to help others move forward with their ideas to create work that matters to them. Now I'm looking backward wondering why I was so afraid to take that first step.
  • Great points Chris. I've started my own revolutions many a times. My first one was at 15 1/2 and I'm still not sure exactly how it happened but from there on forward, I NEVER wanted to have to slave away my life working for someone else. So far, it's worked out pretty dang good ;-)

    But anyways, I think these tiny revolutions are very powerful. They start as thinking which can turn into action like you were saying. Unfortunately though, I see a lot who have these shifts happen in their head but they're lacking something to take that necessary action. And the majority of the time, it's fear. Fear that you're not good enough, what other people will think, whatever.

    So, in aiding with these tiny revolutions to actually become reality, I believe we also need to get rid of the fear to gain certainty. I know that's a lot easier said than done but sometimes you just gotta put your head down and say F*** it, I'm going for it and make the necessary follow throughs.
  • RickSmithAuthor
    Great post. Moving from thinking to doing is what I seem to be writing about most lately. So many seem stuck in the ordinariness of the everyday. Stuck in the rut, and feel helpless to move forward. In my new book, The Leap, I talk about numerous ways to "spark" safely to a new future by mitigating risk, not taking on more of it. This is how you find the path that is right for you, and it is the same process for mitigating risk that the world's best entrepreneurs employ.

    Rick Smith
    The Leap
  • Thank you. This didn't resonate, it resounded! It arrived in my email as I was struggling with a hosting service that used to be great, but since its sale to another owner has fallen from grace. Lots of work to make changes (many domains and sites) but time for a 'tiny revolution'. There are also several other areas of life that need this kind of thought and action. Thank you Chris.Great post!
  • "You decide one day that you don’t like how your company handles customer service or marketing or whatever. You decide that you don’t feel treated well at home. You decide that you’re living the wrong life. Whatever the moment is that starts things, you will also experience and participate in several other events along the way. "
    Wow..double wow. You nailed it Chris. NAILED. IT. Thanks for the wonderful article and inspiring words. I'm printing this bad boy off and reading it DAILY
  • Is true, we all dont want revolution, so its important to make sure you are clear on your support team. Is all of your team on the same page?
  • Timely, given that my company is in the midst of morphing thanks to being in a stale industry, the food business.
  • Ah - a 3rd way between evolution and revolution. Love that - thank you
  • darren11
    I aim to start a major revolution next year. Currently gearing up for the campaign as it is complex. I hope that it works. It will start small and using the various tools I hope that it grows to a considerable size. If it does, and it does the good that I think it will, you may be able to say - I heard it hear first.
  • Very nice sharing here for tiny revolution.I have learn lot of knowledge here.I would sau every step towards success requires a tiny revolution. Evolution is too subtle. Revolution is too drastic...

    gifts for her
  • shoshanakleiman
    It's much easier to make a revolution than to perform maintenance. The mind can grasp the "one-time" effort it takes to push revolution, but maintenance drives the mind mad. Your "small revolutions" make each change something grasp-able instead of something deadening,
  • Started a revolution years ago - then retreated. Just started a 2nd revolution a couple of months ago. I'm older, I'm wiser, but still some pain along the way.

    Revolutions have a way of splitting family, friends & colleagues into three camps - Camp 1 thinks you're gutsy, driven, and they're cheering you on; Camp 2 thinks you're a crazy dreamer and maybe even a little reckless; and Camp 3 is where you'll find the silent fence-sitters who want to watch this unfold before expressing an opinion.
  • cathmary
    So glad you said this. So glad I'm not the "only one". I, too, am facing 3 camps in my own revolution.
  • "tried to edit this post but I'm on my iPhone and can't figure how to scroll down! Sorry for the mistakes below"

    Chris, great post and like how you created the tinyrevolution! Has I'm reading this I'm thinking how much I would love to create my tinyrev and how much I could enjoy it. Then as I'm resting beside my family I'm wondering if all of this is only for others. Because, I read this and your story of success and how you are focus and have a niche. Also, all the success of others revolves around one niche one focus. I look in the miror and realize that I'm probably not meant to be successful in anything because I don't have a niche or one focus, I like to many niches and believe that in order to be having success I would need to focus on one thing. Also, as I read everyday how one got focus and pursued their focus to a very successful life with the help of their coach. Tonight, I starting to realize that in order to find success I would need someone to listen to all my niches and get me straighten out on one focus. Then, I would a lot of money to get me one of those good coaches or I would another 10 years of constant learning and writing like you did. But, by then it would be time almost time for me to retire! Has I'm looking at this, it is all good if your are 20 years old. Because you will have a chance to live your success of your hard work and sacrifices. I'm starting to realize that the ship have set sail and I miss it! Even if I would keep reading, learning all the books, blogs about this it boils down to a wonderful dream and only a wonderful dream!!
  • It's true, you can't be a pioneer without taking a few arrows in the back.

    I'd rather take a few arrows that die of dysentery (shout-out to Oregon Trail).
  • Couldn't resisit replying to the Oregon Trail shout-out (ahh, children of the 80's).
  • Oh, I like this a lot. My spiritual mentor talks a lot about the distinction between desire and Will: that you can desire something passively forever, but to create change in yourself or the other, you need to bring your Will to it. She sees Will as desires put into action.

    So the question becomes, "What Will you do?"

    I've found this process you outline so well incredibly valuable in my own life. I've wanted to be a writer since I was a little kid, and worked as a journalist most of my adult life. I left my career to have kids, and after a few years wasn't sure I'd ever break back into it.

    Then one day I was ready. I started my "tiny revolution" and started writing again. At first I got a lot of push back from my family, who weren't happy to see so much of my time go into a new project. But I persisted, and now we've hit a balance where I'm happier, healthier and achieving my goals.

    It has not been, and is still not, easy, but it's totally worth it.
  • Another thought provoker.

    I see it everyday; many are afraid of what's unknown to them. They rather stay with what they know and not see anything past their comfort zone. I sometimes can get that way, but I know I need to more forward to make things happen.

    Right now I am in the middle of a tiny revolution for me, my family and our how it impacts our lives. I know it will get better, but looking beyond what is there and charting a new course will be worth the end result.

    Thanks again Chris for a great post.
  • Chris...the point you make about pain is a very good one. But I fear that many of your readers will misinterpret what you are saying and actively choose to seek out as much hard work as they can dig up. In fact, your post inspired me to write my own, called "The difference between anticipating pain and seeking it." It's a fairly long post, so I'll just put the first part here and if anyone finds it interesting, they can read the rest on my site.

    "There's a difference between anticipating pain - being ready for pain - and seeking pain. Yes, as a business owner, you are going to experience setbacks, rejections, delays, and many other things that are going to hurt like hell. But it's a mistake to take on responsibility for those parts of your business that are going to be painful for you to do.

    Most entrepreneurs start out bootstrapping. They figure the best way to run a tight ship and maintain creative control is to do everything themselves. Bookkeeping, sales calls, marketing copy, collections, administration, etc.

    This is almost always a fatal mistake."

    Big-time successful entrepreneurs don't make this mistake. They know that the thing that they are passionate about doing in their business is the thing that makes their business money..."

    Rest of the blog post here:

    http://www.ideainjection.com/blog/2009/11/22/th...
  • brianbluff
    Chris - Another great post. Thanks.

    Your about revolution requiring daily action is so true. I think we'd be a lot further ahead if revolution weren't so much hard work.
  • Chris, awesome post! Well done. And you're right... taking that first step is a huge one. The power and the magic of launching "tiny revolutions" comes in that first moment... that moment of committing yourself to the pursuit of the dream.

    Great words.. great thoughts... thanks for writing this.
  • Duff_McDuffee
    And don't forget the most important part of starting a revolution--to dethrone those in power in order to become the power elite yourself.

    The use of "revolution" to mean "a continuation of socio-political structures" is too much empty rhetoric to inspire much of anything in me.
  • Your comment is stimulating for me, reading along through all the appreciative feedback. I'm remembering what Marshall Rosenberg (author of Nonviolent Communication-a Language of Life) said: Never give them the power to make you submit or rebel.
    I say When you name and claim your own power, you shift all the power connections around you, and as we each do it for ourselves and hence model to others, the power grid shifts. Wondering if this stirs something in you?
  • I never thought of a revolution needing daily care and feeding - great insight Chris. I have an idea I have been flirting with for a while now, and I think it could be a "tiny revolution" but you have made me take a step back and re-think how I need to approach it, and how to help it flourish.
  • heathermasson
    As some one has already commented here. This is just what I need to here. It is about the tiny little steps in one's daily life the tiny revolutions in a series and over time. BUT - if we want something to change, we need to take a step towards what we want, and away from what we don't

    I also like how you mentioned that it will involve some sort of pain. But that is temporary... that is so true.

    Thanks Chris - Great Read!!!
  • "If you are starting a revolution, remember that not everyone wants in." Now that's a great, and important, distinction. I've felt for some time that I have to be 'of one mind' on the change I'm seeking with the people closest to me. As though my path will diverge if I'm not, and we'll slowly grow apart.

    Giving myself to freedom to fight these battles myself, at least at first, is huge. Thank you Chris.
  • "Moving from one state to another involves pain....You can't dip your toe in a revolution...You’re not a bad person if you don’t want to start tiny revolutions." Awesome post Chris! Should be required reading in business schools!
  • One of the most inspirational and well thought out columns you've posted in a while Chris.

    I think you've finally pushed me to make a more definative plan for 2010.

    Thanks for the kick in the ass.
  • remarkablogger
    If you get enough tiny revolutions, you have a society-wide change. I think that's what's happening, but not everyone sees it yet. Like speculative fiction writer William Gibson said: the future's already here, it's just not evenly distributed.
  • that is my favorite quote of the day: "the future's already here, it's just not evenly distributed."

    that's exactly what is happening. some of us know what is going on and are talking about it. and now that we are all connecting with each other, the distribution is about to hit the tipping point.
  • two thoughts:

    - my revolution was something I started alone (and was/is awesomely scary) but as soon as I jumped off the cliff, I found amazing people had jumped off with me. problem is, we could not see each other until we jumped.

    - every time I think that I've made my big revolutionary step, I realize that it's just one little step. and I keep having to take bigger and bigger (and more and more risky/scary) steps. yes, being revolutionary is addictive ... but the steps do not get easier.

    - ElizabethPW
  • Agree whole-heartedly with both of those, Elizabeth. Fascinating how you find those that are like-minded, that are moving in the same direction...but only AFTER you make the massive risk of that first action-step. :)
  • Lovely, inspirational in a suitably cautious way - it is worth reminding people that making big changes might be the best way forward, but that doesn't mean they will not involve some growing pains.

    I am in fact in the middle of a (not really very) tiny revolution, myself. Blogging about it too, on Cliffjump.net - 'a blog about fearlessness and creativity'. Stop by if you like...
  • Took my first step towards a tiny revolution Friday morning with this post - "Invitation to Coffee in the Pocono Mountains" http://bit.ly/7k6D9C - inspired by your consistent message to share and connect person to person.

    Thank you for sharing and putting it out there everyday.
  • How about rEVOLUTION. The key is rapid evolutionary stepping to avoid premature deal of a good idea, process or system. This is how I'm trying to approach business information systems and data visualization. Sometimes the most effective revolutions are like a slow boil.
  • I couldn't agree more. My personal experience plodding through the detail is this: 1) Big BI is far to costly 2) Big BI is far too risky

    There are 7.7 million entities operating in the USA now and only about 100,000 can afford what Big BI has to offer. I hope to help many small and mid-sized businesses discover incremental, evolutionary ways to adapt there own business information.
  • I like this post... and sometimes we aren't aware of our own tiny revolutions inside... but we wake up and things seem different... a slight shift inside... the beginning of it.
  • Great post, Chris! It's absolutely true, institution is about preservation. For the past few months my rag tag little group has been trying to help shift the paradigm of the traditional charity/non-profit world from simply raising money to solve problems towards truly engaging supporters and appealing to them on the basis of their creativity/ideas as opposed to simply funds. And beginning to connect supporters with "the served". Most people want to help. They don't just want to click on a stupid donate button.

    Revolutions are tough, but they're fun as hell :)

    AJ
  • I'm curious what strategies you are using "to connect supporters with 'the served'"?? World Cafe? Appreciative Inquiry? Open Space Technology? Spiral Dynamics? Community Circles? Or.....???? I'm interested in shifting from the us and them paradigm to the we paradigm. Grateful for any direction/insights you might offer to me.. Thanks!
  • Hey Mair, so sorry for the late reply to the comment. The strategies we are using currently are very specifically indigenous to the orgs that we work with and the particular work they are doing in the field. Generally speaking, however, we are attempting to use the "real time" web to directly connect "the served" with supporters and empower orgs to facilitate that relationship as opposed to being the "go between". Love to chat about this more, ping me on twitter, if you want to discuss this further http://twitter.com/ajleon :)
  • Sorry I don't know how to ping on twitter! wondering if you have used Synthetron (collaborative discussion and listening tool)?
  • I haven't used it, but the User Interface would probably be enough to turn me off. Besides their is so much listening we can do in "social spheres" (where people hang out) ..twitter, fb fan pages, maybe a custom ning community
  • KerryJ
    Funny how just the right book or article comes along when you need it. Thanks so much for this post.
  • The idea of change whether be drastic or minor and also somewhere in between places us in the unknown. The unknown is scary. How will people react, how will the change affect the way that we do business. Change is healthy as it pushes us to learn new ways of doing things. Some have easy transitions where others have a more difficult time.

    Change in personal life affect the businesses and vice versa. I like to use the analogy of new shoes or better shoes. Sometimes we just need better shoes where others warrant new shoes. Both feel good but require walking away from the old comfortable shoes. New or better shoes need to be broken in but you have to keep wearing them for them to become comfortable.

    Waiting for things to happen does work in some cases as there are times we fall into something however we know that being in the front of the line and making it happen is empowering. Someday becomes tomorrow and so on.

    Inspiring as always and also comforting as I am that go getter who has fear but then I take the chance/risk as the loss value is less than the potential gain and learning experience.
  • Sometimes Chris, your timing is in peccable. This is just what I needed to read at this moment.

    It is interesting how a tiny revolution (fueled by a revelation) can actually consist of several tinier revolutions.

    (And next time I am going to try and remember to sign on to Disqus first, before loosing my post and trying to recreate it!)
  • partyaficionado
    "You can't dip your toe in a revolution". True. Gr8 post
  • sytaylor
    Being successful means first we must challenge parts of ourselves that stand in the way of success. Which means admitting 1) We're not successful already 2) We won't be successful unless we push through the pain barrier.

    I've recently beaten my laziness demon, which took becoming disgusted at how rare it was I worked near capacity. Maybe you have the same thing? We all have untapped potential. Tapping it takes a lot of courage.
  • megfowler
    A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, etc.?

    I like it. This is totally my personal Achilles' heel. I get stuck on the idea that change only comes from dramatic steps forward, rather than simple tweaks over a span of time that add up to the same result. Not that big steps aren't good -- but the energy it takes to make them is rarely sustainable over a long period of time.

    Make a plan, figure out all the small details, and do one at a time. Or two. Or whatever you can do that day, as long as you do SOMETHING.

    And even if those tiny revolutions STILL seem hard and kind of impossible, once you've taken part in one, the next one becomes worlds easier.
  • The journey that takes a thousand steps starts with finding your shoes!
  • I would dearly love to start to a revolution - In PR in the UK it seems to me that there is a creaking of the joints of the industry and it needs an overhaul.

    Working in social media now, having previously worked in traditional consumer PR, and a blogger/journalist before that, I hope i'm placed to see the faults and facets of each part of the communication flow.

    I firmly believe that social media is part of a customer service revolution where brands are being forced to finally relinquish control and put consumers first. People are savvy to adverts and want more from the marketing they have been force fed for the last xxx amount of years.

    By putting power in the hands of the people, we are creating institutional change at the very highest level in the biggest companies all over the world - how cool is that?
  • Yes! I don't know if I framed this, or am quoting someone unknown to me:
    When the people lead, the leaders will follow!....Why? because they want to be with the crowd....maybe they will try to surge to the front...who cares? It all becomes a movement of "we" and the synergy that evolves and expands from that.... co-creating the world we choose to live in.... :-)
  • As always, great insight here!

    It takes enormous discipline and courage to create a tiny revolution on a daily basis. As the old Eleanor Roosevelt quote goes "Do one thing a day that scares you". Much easier said than done, but the rewards over time far exceed what you ever thought possible.

    Thanks for the inspiration to start the week!
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