Change Your World

Changing the world begins with hope, small actions, and living according to values. Are you ready to start making an impact?

1. Cultivate Courageous Hope

Overwhelming problems can make us feel powerless, but a shift in mindset is the first step toward action. You need to believe that your contribution, however small, can make a tangible difference. By challenging pessimistic beliefs and embracing hope, you empower yourself to take the first steps toward making a change in the world.

Bryan Jarrett’s life story is a prime example. Despite enduring childhood abuse and hardships, he chose to hope for a better future. He worked to make a difference, founding Lonesome Dove Ranch to help abused youth. His belief in hope sparked transformation for countless others, proving that a hopeful mindset isn’t passive—it’s the fuel for action.

This level of hope involves acknowledging the harsh realities of the world while daring to imagine a better future. Hope isn’t about ignoring problems; it’s about facing them with a readiness to contribute. When combined with actions driven by purpose, it becomes an unstoppable force for change.

Examples

• Bryan Jarrett turned his pain into action, helping abused children heal through his ranch.
• A hopeful mindset can inspire others, just as Jarrett's hope gave young people a path to recovery.
• Facing adversity but still taking steps to help others embodies the power of courageous hope.

2. Start with Small Steps

Big problems don’t require big solutions all at once. You can create meaningful change through small, practical actions. These small efforts, like ripples in a pond, set off a chain reaction, inspiring others to act as well.

Rob Hoskins met Tiffany, a girl in Lima living in poverty. By helping her connect with community resources, Rob enabled her to finish high school and start a school in her neighborhood, inspiring her family and community to join in positive change. One small intervention saved her life and transformed a community.

This story illustrates how starting small can grow into something bigger. Whether it’s helping one person, volunteering for a cause, or donating resources, one step can lead to a cascade of improvements and inspire impactful outcomes.

Examples

• Tiffany's story of escaping poverty and changing her community started with a simple act of connection.
• The boy saving starfish one at a time shows how small actions can matter.
• Small victories motivate others, creating a momentum for change.

3. Build a Transformation Team

A lone individual can only do so much. Real change becomes possible through collaboration. To build a team, align with people and organizations who share your vision. Working together unites skills, resources, and motivation.

Ohio business owner Sam Yoder turned unexpected opportunities into a team effort. When his company partnered with another organization to produce face shields during the pandemic, his team rallied together. This not only helped his employees but also protected thousands of healthcare workers.

Shared values and teamwork amplify the impact of your efforts. Whether you’re joining an existing cause or starting something new, the key is forming relationships with others who share your drive and commitment.

Examples

• Sam Yoder’s team produced 35,000 face shields daily during the pandemic.
• Leaders working alongside engaged teams create stronger outcomes.
• Team members who connect over shared values drive sustainable change.

4. Passion Needs a Plan

While passion fuels change, it must be paired with clear goals and leadership. Many causes fizzle out because people are passionate but lack focus or direction. A clear objective unites efforts and provides a tangible endpoint to aim for.

Occupy Wall Street is an example of passionate activism that struggled without defined goals or leadership. While their chants and gatherings got attention, their lack of organization left their cause fragmented. On the other hand, Martin Luther King Jr. led the civil rights movement with consistent nonviolent strategies and a clear vision, resulting in lasting change.

Movements need both structure and inspiration. Clear objectives help a team focus on a mission, while a strong leader can guide efforts toward meaningful outcomes.

Examples

• Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership inspired broad support with clear strategies.
• Occupy Wall Street fizzled due to a lack of cohesive goals.
• Goals provide a clear path forward for any cause.

5. Live by Good Values

Good leaders and agents of change are guided by strong, consistent values. Actions aligned with values earn trust and respect, which are crucial for inspiring others and sustaining a cause.

Consider the businessman in Chihuahua, Mexico, who practiced forgiveness despite immense personal tragedy. By embracing and living his values, he diffused cycles of violence and brought healing to his community. Actions based on values resonate deeply and motivate others to act for the greater good.

Living by principles like kindness, empathy, and justice transcends cultural and contextual differences. Your values guide your decisions, fostering authenticity and credibility in every aspect of your mission.

Examples

• Forgiveness transformed lives in Chihuahua, reducing violence.
• A leader's trustworthiness comes from acting in line with values.
• Organizations like BANTRAB thrived by training employees on values.

6. Spark Change Through Conversations

Meaningful discussions can adapt ideas from thought to action and build bridges across divides. Hosting intentional conversations about challenges and values generates understanding, solutions, and motivation.

The authors created “transformation tables,” where small groups meet weekly to discuss and act on chosen values. These discussions are tailored to build accountability and foster growth, and over 1.3 million people have participated globally. Such platforms prove the power of conversation in sparking ideas and sustaining real-world change.

Dialogue fosters accountability and shared responsibility. When stories and values are exchanged, participants build connections and become personally invested in creating solutions.

Examples

• Transformation tables unite individuals for weekly discussions and self-improvement.
• Small groups foster accountability over extended periods.
• Honest communication bridges gaps, motivating shared action.

7. Measure Success Objectively

Feel-good actions don’t always mean effective progress. Real change requires tracking results through concrete outcomes rather than subjective perceptions.

Rob Hoskins’ team tackled HIV/AIDS but discovered infections were rising despite their hard work. By shifting to metrics-based evaluations, he ensured future efforts were on track. He developed the Five Ds process—Discovery, Design, Deploy, Document, and Dream—to comprehensively measure and adjust their impact.

Having clear data empowers change-makers to refine their strategies for lasting impact. Transparent measurements help teams correct course and invest resources in what works best.

Examples

• Rob Hoskins’ data-based changes reversed ineffective HIV interventions.
• Clear metrics keep projects grounded and effective.
• Systematic evaluations ensure lasting impact.

8. Combine Leadership With Grassroots Efforts

Top-down leadership needs grassroots support to achieve authentic change. Leaders motivate, but community involvement transforms ideas into reality.

The civil rights movement paired Martin Luther King Jr.'s top-level leadership with nationwide grassroots protests. Similarly, Michael Bloomberg’s money-focused campaign failed because it lacked people-powered support. True transformation requires synergy between leaders and those on the ground.

Both levels must align around shared goals. Leaders provide vision, while grassroots members act as the lifeblood, steadily advancing the movement.

Examples

• Grassroots protests propelled the civil rights movement.
• Bloomberg’s presidential bid lacked grassroots support and faltered.
• Leadership combined with widespread engagement yields the best results.

9. Own Your Unique Contribution

Change begins by understanding your strengths, passions, and experiences. You can’t do it all, but you can contribute uniquely to what matters most to you.

When Rob Hoskins identified Tiffany’s need for support in Lima, he leaned on his resources and connections to help. His intervention led to a cascade of change through her school creation. By focusing on areas where you excel, you can create lasting change aligned with your values.

Instead of being overwhelmed, channel your impact into causes that resonate deeply. Your distinctive perspective is your most powerful tool for making a difference.

Examples

• Rob Hoskins made a difference by supporting Tiffany’s education.
• Your experiences shape unique contributions to solving problems.
• Focusing on personal strengths ensures commitment and results.

Takeaways

1. Regularly evaluate and measure the outcomes of your actions to ensure meaningful impact.
2. Start a transformation table by gathering 3-4 individuals to discuss values and commit to weekly action steps.
3. Identify your unique passions and strengths, and use them to contribute to a cause you care about.