Hello & welcome to the Change-maker

Hello and welcome to our introductory series.

Step by step, we’ll detail our method. 

All you need to do is take in the insights, apply the knowledge and start small.

We recommend stepping it out weekly, or amending the timeframes based on what else you have going on.

Better to stay consistent and flexible than take on too much.

Let’s begin!

STEP 1) 

What is the change you want to make?

First, we ask: When is the best time to start something?

A)   When you have time
B)   On Monday 
C)  Now, in this moment

Starting now means making the commitment.

And with just a little attention, a little focus, you will progress.

With that in mind, what is the change you want to make?

STEP 2)

Acknowledge the change you want to make

You’ve identified the change you want to make — however big or small. 

Now that you know what it is you want, write it down. On paper from the recycling pile, an old journal, or a napkin — plenty of science backs up why handwriting is the way to go.

Keep it somewhere visible.

If you’re a digital being, open up your notes and pin it. Give it every chance to cut-through the noise: emojis, bold, whatever motivates you.

Now for the fun part: write or type where you’re at in terms of what you want to change. Go as big as you need, the better to understand your starting point. 

So, let’s say you want to scroll less, you might write down what you recognise is happening (or not happening) now. 

I spend 20 minutes scrolling every time I pick up my phone, rather do something I enjoy, feel anxious scrolling, and again when I think of the time I just wasted ...

Just keep writing. This is just for you. So, go freeform. Put it all down and see what comes up.

STEP 3)

Where do you want to be?

You’ll have identified the change you want to make. And where you’re at in terms of that change.

This exercise in self-reflection has let you see yourself anew. Likely, you were harsh with yourself, perhaps lenient. Maybe you were somewhere in the middle.

Now, with all that knowledge, extend the reflection to ask yourself: Where do you want to be? 

Write it down. 
Draw it. 
Record it in a voice memo. 

Set the story. What does your change look and feel like?

STEP 4)

Your reason for doing

Over the past few weeks, you’ve

  • acknowledged the change you want to make

  • written where you’re at in terms of this change

  • jotted, recorded or drawn where you want to be.

And now, arguably the most important aspect of all. The part that will see you through your hard days, and the easy ones.

Your reason for doing.

In your journal, or in your notes app, continue writing.

Ask yourself: Why is this the change you want to make? Why is this important to you? Keep asking why.

Be honest, visualise it, dig deep. The deeper you go, the greater chance it’ll connect with your true reasons.

Is your journal or notes app brimming with ideas and inspiration?

STEP 5)

Building a foundation

You’ve considered the change you want to make and where you want to be. 

Now you’ll want to put some scaffolding in place for a strong foundation.

Some of you may be looking to do less of something, while others may be making room for more. It could be a combination of the two.

Note what you will do to allow for the change. 

I will start small. 
I’ll share my progress with a trusted friend. 

Equally important: Jot down what you won’t do.

I won’t sacrifice sleep. 
I will not do X at the expense of Y.

Take your time with this one. It will be worth it.

What will your focus be, and what will you avoid? What obstacles do you foresee, and how might you prevent or handle them?

STEP 6)

The planning part

You now understand the change you want to make and your reasons. You also know how you’ll support yourself along the way.

Now is the time to map out what you intend to do and when. 

  • Keep it realistic and start small. 

  • Be specific if you can: When in your day or week can you make time to take action?

  • Maybe all you’ll need is today. What can you do today, towards your change?

  • Revisit your notes and see how you’ll help yourself along.

  • If you can manage more, map out your week — or 6 weeks ahead.

  • Factor in some time for reflection and celebrate the small wins!

As you take steps towards your change, jot some notes to track how it’s going.

The better you’ll understand what you enjoy, what you’re doing well, what’s a challenge, why you're hesitating, what works and what needs refining. You may also like to consider what progress looks like to you and how you might measure this.

STEP 7) 

Pause, reflect, refine

Your first steps of intentional action towards your change.

What have you learnt? 

About yourself? About the change you want?
What were your blockers? How can you overcome them?

Can you measure your progress?

Some aspects you can track. Others may be on a more intrinsic scale.

Is there something you need to amend in your plan? 

Maybe you made more progress than you expected or you might have overcommitted yourself.

It’s all about refining your approach, keeping consistent yet staying flexible, and building on your efforts.

And remembering to celebrate the small wins!

For now
The Need Method

The Need Method is about making change. Any advice is general in nature.