How to Create Positive Change Today

Malala Yousafzai—even if you don’t recognize her name, I bet you know her story. A year ago this month, the then fifteen-year-old was shot in the head for championing every girl’s right to be educated. After an unbelievable recovery, she has gone on to speak to the United Nations and the World Bank and has met privately with President Obama. Now her story has been told in her new book, I Am Malala.

She has inspired the world. The question is, what will we do with her message? How can we join in with this remarkable young woman? To help you answer that, here are three realities to keep in mind:

You can make a difference: We don’t have to be Malala to make a difference—we just have to decide to do so, right now, with what we have. We’ve been conditioned to revere titles, celebrity and wealth—all good things—but we can make a contribution without them. Remember that you are unique and only you can help in your particular way.

Let your passion guide you: She was passionate about advocating for girls’ education. What are you passionate about? Start with that and ask yourself how you can begin making even a small contribution—the answers will come.
 
Focus on your world: Malala’s world was a small part of Pakistan—where is your part of the world? What small thing can you do where you are today that will help in some way? A world of people doing something, however small, adds up to larger change.

-Alan Allard, Leadership Coach/Life Coach
www.alanallard.com