ian says...

In order to effect change, it seems we need 5 crucial steps: Be willing to See and acknowledge the issue we need to change; Decide you are in fact going to Do something about it; Connect with others to gain support, new ideas and collective clout; Find ways toSustain your own energies to ensure you don't burn out; and use your experience and energy to Inspire others to take action so we make the change become exponential. On that basis:
 





1 What issue do you see or come across that awakens the creative disruptor in you, and why does it matter to you the way it does?
Seeing people just accepting what is happening and not thinking about the future awakens my creative disruptive thoughts. It matters to me as we need to question what is happening in the world from a long-term perspective and not narrow short-term material gains.
 
2 What action are you actually taking to tackle this, and how do you feel about what you do?
Every day I ask people about why they do what they do, what purpose drives them, then support them to engage positively in their community. I disrupt their thinking by getting them to look at their identify and sense of belonging and how that might have changed from the past and what it might be like in the future. This gives meaning to my days and links me to what is happening now in the context of shifting time perspectives.
 
3 How important do you think it is to reach out to and work with others as you work for this change, and how do you do it?
The collaborative effort is essential, but hard to achieve as we have an individualistic culture that is dominated by shallow immediate psychological fixes that distract us from what matters at a deeper level. I try to reach out every day but it is difficult particularly in a society purposefully shaped to separate through competition.
 
4 How do you keep that fire in your belly alight without it causing you to burn out? How do you sustain your energies and look after you, and crucially, what's your advice to others?
Sometimes I think the fire is not alight, and I need to kindle it afresh everyday by seeing and working with people who are striving to make a difference. I feel burnt out every day!
 
5 Positive change is contagious. Sometimes all that's needed for someone to take action is to see someone else doing something about it. So ... how do you use your experience to inspire others? 
Many types of behaviours are contagious, acceptance of current norms and an easy life are contagious, positive change takes effort. For inspiration is about seeing the connections between things, people, activities events etc. the experience of a life worth living should inspire.
 
And finally ... if someone came up to you in a pub or a cafe and said they were fed up/enfuriated/anxious about something they felt was wrong or needed to change...what would you say?
I would say that’s great, now do something about it!

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