Growing up, I was always told that I could change the world and that I could make a difference. In some cases perhaps the person was just blowing smoke, and other times I think they actually meant it.

The truth is, as I grew up I actually began to believe what I was being told. 

I believe there is something inside each of us that desires to make a difference. The truth is, the invitation to make a difference is available to each of us.

Maybe you have a dream or an idea that you think might be great, but you’ve been told you are crazy. Someone said it would never work, you aren’t smart enough or you don’t have what it takes.

If that is the case, maybe you are on the right track!  

Kid with Plane Paul Jolicoeur Are You Crazy EnoughIn 1997 as Steve Jobs was getting set to launch a new campaign he said these words:

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

I love the last line: “Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”.

This speaks to your mental state of believing in yourself and your own ideas. If you truly believe you are able to change the world, you might actually do so!

What does it take to change the world and make a difference?

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Conviction:

You have to know what you stand for, what you are willing to live for and what you are willing to die for.

Conviction is a line in the sand that says even though I can, I won’t. It keeps you pointed in the right direction.

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Perseverance:

Challenges will come and success doesn’t happen overnight. Perseverance is about sticking with it when it would be easier to give up.

What would happen if every time you hit resistance to your dreams you stopped? The answer is simple. You would never make it past the first day. Perseverance comes after conviction.

[Tweet “Perseverance is your commitment to your conviction shown through action.”]

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Running Mate:

“No man is an island” said Thomas Merton, and he is right. You can’t do it on your own and there is nothing wrong with that.

Working with others as a part of a team makes your stronger. It makes the journey a lot more enjoyable and allows you to share in the strengths of others.

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It all begins in your mind.

Are you crazy enough to think you can?

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