I have had that experience just recently. I was so fortunate to spend 3 nights camping in beautiful country Victoria at Paynes Hut with the very first DO Lectures Australia. No mobile phones, no distraction, a composting toilet and a portable shower in the back of a big old truck. Sharing a tent at night with 3 strangers (well they were on Day One) with temperatures hovering around zero one night. Over our roasted yabbies and velvety shiraz we told long, winding stories about how change is possible. The sort of stories you never tell at a conference but go home wishing you had. We spoke about the courage, the loneliness, the exhilaration, the drive and the energy that all come when we make change happen. We came to realise, more then ever before that people can change the world. (Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point said it only takes roughly 15% of a population to flip a system.)
Here’s a question – have you ever done something that re-set your engine?
Beautiful photograph of Do Lectures Aus by Mark Lobo
Seventy participants and twenty speakers building a micro community of possibility under a blanket of stars with the moon swimming around us. I could go on and on about the Do Lectures but I’m going to leave it to you to check out the website and hopefully you can join in next year. This blog is about doing the thing, as an alternative to just talking about the thing. I’ve come away committed to doing a few things diferently. Firstly I’m going to write my blog every week, so you’ll be hearing from me more often. I want to start a conversation about how we can join forces around change to health and social care services in Australia. Secondly, I’ve come home with a fire in my belly about Change Day Australia 2015 – it is going to be so much greater next year, with your help. I’ve quoted Margaret Wheatley lots of times in my blogs, that’s because I think she nails it when it comes to whole system change. She identifies four steps: 1) Isolated pioneers struggle alone; 2) They begin to connect in networks; 3) Where the ground is fertile, communities of practice begin to emerge; 4) Communities of practice link together to create a force-field that tips the whole system to a new mode of behavior. Let me know if you want to be part of the Change Day 2015 force-field- I’m looking for friends in every state and territory who want to create a better health and social care system. Let’s just DO IT! Join me mf
Ngaire Hobbins
May 13, 2014
Hi Mary
I have had just that experience in a different way. I slaved over my book “eat to cheat ageing’ for the past 3 yrs pouring more and more time and money into the project wondering what I was doing and feeling it was all a bit hopeless because ‘I am just a lone voice’ and ‘there is not much interest in aged care’ – its just not ‘sexy’ …..
But then, in the past few months as the launch drew nearer, suddenly just what Margaret Wheatley says started to change things. Individuals from varying fields all began to agitate and act to change the way we think about and do things in aged care. I’m now connected with other nutrition professionals Australia wide and experts in all areas of aged care, with Maggie Beer and her Foundation and with awesome chefs who actually care enough to cook great food in aged care. Seems there are moves afoot after all now we are connected and aged care is on its way to sexy after all. Its so exciting!
And by the way I’m happy to help to bring Tassie on board with Change Day 2014.
Ngaire
Mary Freer
May 13, 2014
Fantastic to hear from you Ngaire. I must get hold of a copy of your book Eat to Cheat Ageing. If anyone wants to contact you about your great work in this space I will pass on yr email address. Where can we buy the book?
Marvelous to have yr support in Tasmania. regards Mary
sandi
May 13, 2014
Totally agee. I have spent years trying to convince people that united they are powerful and joined in a shared action can change the world. You Mary taught me the art of smooching. .. as honey for change
Mary Freer
May 14, 2014
Thanks Sandi, I like to think of it as making the most of weak ties to bring about revolutionary change. But smooching is fun too !
hannah cutts
May 15, 2014
I’ll jump on board. Hannah
Design, photography, running nude through parliament!?
Fatima
May 18, 2014
I love your blog Mary! My passion for healthcare has recently been fuelled upon starting my internship at the hospital and I do really want to make a difference as well.
Most definitely jumping on board for Change Day 2015. Would definitely LOVE to be an active member/supporter for it! Bring it on!
Fatima
PS-
“We came to realise, more then ever before that people can change the world.” – 100% believer in that.