TOOLS FOR BEING A CHANGEMAKER—EP. 1
I'm writing a series of articles about tools that I've tested myself as a leader, change-maker, mother, and entrepreneur. I promise they're quick, simple, and effective—and can even inspire beautiful transformations—if you commit to practicing them daily or as often as possible.
💡THE (REAL) PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME
As a changemaker, I bet your life feels like a never-ending race against the clock.
Finding time to:
stay up to date on sustainability-related news, issues, and solutions,
Respond to emails and assist support teams.
Add value by offering innovative and sustainable solutions, even if your colleagues contact you at the last minute.
Support operational staff who are working hard to change the way they produce and consume.
Offer your teams a sympathetic and encouraging ear.
Respond quickly and effectively to your boss.
Take the time to propose a vision that's a little more ambitious than the current one.
Manage all aspects of your personal life: the kids' doctor's appointments, the household items you need to buy, your next dinner with friends, and replying to Mom's text messages.
And that's not even counting the sport you'd like to squeeze in somewhere or the book that's been sitting in your bag for weeks.
You're probably getting dizzy just reading this, aren't you?
But doesn't that sound a bit like your everyday life?
So here goes—wait a minute—the real problem isn't a lack of time.
I SWEAR.
I, too, would have preferred to complain about the lack of time.
The real problem is the constant rush.
Not having a minute to yourself.
It's that inner thought that says, "It's never enough."
The desire for “more and more.”
That's right.
By trying to save time so we can do everything right, you and I end up like hamsters on a wheel.
It's a twofold problem:
This pace wears us out and leads to an explosion or an implosion.
This pace drives away the people around us who might want to get involved.
🔍 THE TOOL: THE NUMBER ONE SOLUTION TO A LACK OF TIME
So what's the solution?
It's quite simple. Yet it's often overlooked.
It's ...
THE BREAK.
I can already hear you screaming, "Is she serious? I don't have time, and she wants me to take a break!"
I know. It's hard.
But honestly, have you ever tried to stay loving, cheerful, smart, efficient, and generous without sleeping for several nights in a row?
If you've had children, you know what I mean.
If you've ever had trouble sleeping, you know what I mean, too.
Personally, I've had both :)
So I know it in my heart, and you know it in yours...
To stay in shape, we need to sleep.
To make an impact and have enough time, we need to take a break.
Period.
And the same is true for society.
If we want to limit global warming and prevent famine and mass migration, we urgently need to slow down.
It's difficult, but essential.
Change is essential if we want to live in a world where life reigns supreme.
And change begins within ourselves ...
🐝 YOUR CHALLENGE TO DO MORE AND BETTER OVER TIME
Hopefully, if you're still reading this post (thanks, by the way), you're thinking something like, "Okay, but how do I do it?"
I suggest you take 10 minutes for yourself every day.
In the morning (ideally), at lunchtime, or in the evening.
10 minutes just for you.
A time WITHOUT screens, without washing the dishes, without going over the to-do list.
A time when you can do what makes you happy:
Breathe (cardiac coherence)
Lie down
Write
Read
Draw
Walk
Dance to music you like
MY EXPERIENCE
During what felt like my 10,000-hour days, the best way to regain clarity and energy was to lie down (or sit down if I was at the office) after lunch, set an alarm, close my eyes, and breathe—focusing on my breath or even letting myself doze off.
And I promise you—take it from a demanding multitasker—it works.
I started working in Japan over 6 years ago.
At the time, I was going through a very challenging period in my life in many ways.
This ritual served as the gateway to bringing about effective changes with far-reaching consequences.
So yes, taking care of yourself is THE best way to take care of others and the world.
And frankly, 10 minutes out of 24 hours—it's possible. Even if it means getting up 10 minutes earlier!
After taking a course that addressed this issue, I recently realized that this tool had become a habit. I still have a long way to go, and I often find myself falling into the trap of trying to optimize my time and making long to-do lists. But I’m making progress.
So thank you to Hélène Bonhomme for this valuable reminder and for sharing! And congratulations on your inspiring work!
"So... will you accept the dare?"
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Hello to you, agents of change!
Hi, Changemakers!
I am Nina, an impact maker coach who specializes in leadership and sustainable transformation.
I have spent the past 10+ years leading sustainable change at a Fortune 500 company in a multicultural environment. Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals in organizations to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, humane, and nature-friendly world. If you’d like support to advance on your journey with greater impact and ease, contact me!
