How to Change the World

Micah Rose
May 25, 2016
4 min read

Changing the world is not a simple task. Our world is not in a great space. The earth’s dependence on fossil fuels has increased air pollution. People are arguing about race in a more intense and focused way. There are wars and rumors of wars. Madonna is making music again. Donald Trump is running for president of the United States and he has a fighting chance.

Overwhelmed? Understandable. Here are 7 ways for you to change the world.

1. Be kind

Imagine a world where road rage is not a thing, letting the girl with 3 items go in front of you in the grocery store is normal and nobody bullies anyone online. It is a long shot, but every movement starts with one person. You could be that person.

2. Be yourself

Be yourself, as long as that “self” is creative, kind and generous. The world needs more people who aren’t afraid to be themselves. Want to wear head-to-toe plaid while fronting a Blues Traveler tribute band? Do it. Think about what it would look like for you to read 100 books in 100 days in 100 different locations? Do it. Wonder what would happen if you wrote, directed, and shot a film on your tablet…with toddlers? Do it! Without you being yourself, watching eagles’ nests and speaking in iambic pentameter, people will never know what it’s like to #liveauthentic. Do you, boo!

3. Do what you love

Doing what you love will change the world because you will be an inspiration. Being around people who do what they love inspires others to do what they love. When you do what you love, you are a nicer person. When you are a nicer person, you are more apt to help others. When you help others, you inspire others to help others. It’s a cycle that has only positive results. You literally cannot go wrong with doing what you love, unless you’re a serial killer or a person who kicks puppies. In that case, don’t do what you love. Talk to a friend and help them do what they love. You will be inspired!

4. Read

Read novels, message boards, newspapers, magazines, children’s books, and recipes. Read things by people who are different than you. If you are a musician who loves rock, check out the biography of Yo Yo Ma. If you are obsessed with Saturday Night Live, it may be helpful to read up on classic theatre. Filling your mind with information helps you to draw from various sources of inspiration to do the thing you love. If you can figure out the connection between drama of rock guitar and skit comedy, you could establish a new style that revolutionizes the music industry.

5. Open your mouth

Speak up. Don’t remain silent. If you have an opinion, share it. Do you need to stand in the middle of a department store, shouting your opinion on the latest Pentatonix cover/remix? No, but going to a salon that is discussing a certain subject you are passionate about could be a great opportunity. Share information. Teach. Blog. Speak. A lot of people learn in the midst of conversation. Use every social media platform that is at your disposal to make your views known.

6. Let your passion and purpose intersect with solving the world’s problems

Look, you are just one person and maybe you feel like resting the problems on your own shoulders is too much. What if you were able to do what you love and change the world as a natural byproduct? Let’s say that you are a filmmaker and you are passionate about coffee. You do a little bit of research about your favorite coffee roaster and realize that they are violating the coffee pickers’ rights. You could stop buying their coffee or you could make a documentary about their serious human rights violations and transform the coffee industry.

7. Start where you are with what you have and who’s around

Collaborate with friends and family to create the intersection between purpose and passion. Asia Newson started Super Business Girl with her parents. She learned how to make candles from her father and decided to start a business. Her main idea was to become an entrepreneur and teach other kids how to do the same. Growing up in Detroit, she was connected to poverty and put her passion for creating together with entrepreneurship to serve others in the community. She was five when she started. Age, socioeconomic status, gender, nor race should be a barrier to simply starting.

Affecting change in the world is not something that you can do by yourself, but you can inspire others and create a movement. It won’t be easy, but I can guarantee that it will be worth it. Now, stop reading and get out there!