The Thousand Mile Challenge

"A thousand mile journey begins with a single step". (Tao Te Ching, 604 B.C.) The intent of this statement seems fairly clear. Simply stated, no matter how large the task, no matter how far, how big, how insurmountable something seems, it always starts with the first step. When something seems impossible, insurmountable or undoable, we can make a decision to embark, concentrate on the present, and take the first step. By breaking challenges in tiny doable tasks, change is possible. The ultimate challenge is in making the decision to take that first step. 

The challenge to becoming a “Changemaker” is largely an inside job.  Our “big assumptions” about ourselves and others condition us to avoid vulnerable situations and what we may view as insurmountable challenges.  We therefore proceed defensively, never aware of the underlying fears that keep us from committing fully to action. There are, however, ways to become more mindful of these unconscious, hard-wired drivers of behavior.  And with knowledge comes power.

What are the major underlying roadblocks to action?  I’ll share with you my personal roadblocks (Feeling vulnerability here).  Two major competing commitments that I’m feeling as I proceed forward with the 12 Steps to Green Program (new working title) are:

• A personal commitment to being well-prepared for my challenges. I am a self-starter and am also very self-reliant.  I can also be pretty tough on myself when I do not meet my own expectations.   I therefore have an unconscious need to have all of my “ducks in a row” before embarking on that thousand mile journey. It seems silly now that I see it in writing, as it’s impossible to be fully prepared for a challenge. If I wait until I feel fully prepared, I will never take that first step.

• I have a personal commitment to maintaining balance in life.  This is certainly healthy, however it can prohibit me from taking that first step.  I am afraid of overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed. Feeling overwhelmed can lead to negative consequences such as burn out. Lack of balance in my life can also lead to feelings of frustration, inability to act (deer in the headlights), and depression. 

How can the self-knowledge of my subconscious fears help me plough through?  Of course I am not trying to build Rome single-handedly in one day.  If I embark on the small steps and share the journey with a community of travelers, willing to share the load, I can maintain balance. It will also make the journey more FUN!

Others that share a stake in the outcome of a challenge also proceed into the journey with their own “Big Assumptions.”  Understanding that others are also hard-wired with fears and competing commitments enables you to better support them in their journey, just as they support you.  By actively listening, a diverse group sharing a common goal can work together to understand one another’s vulnerabilities and provide a more supportive and “safe” environment.

An example of this concept in action might be a situation where you invite several guests to a party who do not know anyone else at the party.  It would be important to help these guests feel at home by learning about them, introducing them to other guests that share commonalities and checking back to ensure that these guests feel comfortable and are enjoying themselves. It seems simple, however when the concept applies to big challenges, we are often so caught up in the end game that we forget that there are little steps and a community that come first.

Establishing supportive partnerships between community members (just like when you connect those folks at your party) is a great way to build a solid working community.  It’s being present in the dialog, respectively listening, asking for clarification and supporting one another's thought process. By asking questions that can support progress you can lend support of the individual community members.  

When we look at the enormous challenges ahead of us as we search for ways to mitigate climate change and adapt to these changes, that inside job seems insignificant. Self-examination reveals that change begins as an inside job; know thyself!