How to Change the World

You're not trying to skip step one, are you?

Want to change the world? Ready for your big mission?

Really?

Think about how you react when someone asks you—or worse, tells you!—to change. Now imagine yourself saying “Go change!” to 7 billion people. Are you sure ready for their reactions?

Change is big time stuff. No matter your mission, if you’re serious about creating change, then at some point, you have to look someone in the eye and say, “My will prevails today.” Then you have to stand there and not blink while that person goes apeshit on you. Because if you can’t do that, then no matter how noble your cause, you fail and the status quo wins. You have to do this every day, by the way, and you have to do it with a smile on your face. It’s not easy—just ask Jason Russell.

This is step one to changing the world: changing yourself so you’re ready for what’s coming.

I wish I knew a better way to help people with this other than writing about it. In How to Self-Destruct™ I wrote that everyone should have their heart stepped on at least once. I meant it. I wrote about getting tested in my post on living your story and about the hangover these moments leave in the reality of authenticity. These are two of my most popular posts. Clearly there is a hunger for the message.

But does it help? I wonder. Because pressure doesn’t always create diamonds. Most of the time, it makes a hot, stinking mess.

Still, if you’re truly serious about your mission to change the world, then you have no choice.

Into the crucible you go.

Do your best, and good luck.

Jason Seiden is CEO of Ajax Workforce Marketing. Ajax amplifies brands by aligning employees' online messaging.