The difference of 365

I'm now 85 days in to my year long project to make a difference in my world.

It is literally a work in progress - I didn't start with a list of 365 different things to do, and finding something meaningful every day, that is worth sharing, is no easy task.

Originally considered a cross between random acts of kindness, a bucket list and new year resolutions, this is fast evolving into a major element of my life, and as it gathers momentum I have set the lofty goal of attracting followers.

On March 31 2013 it will be my 365th and final day of the Project and the goal for that day has already been decided. I'm aiming for at least 365 people to join with me on that day and pledge publicly to commit to their own "project". It might be a one-day project: Go meat free, alcohol free, swear free, yell at kids free, disposable cup/bottle/plastic bag free, screen free It might be committing to a regular project: Donating a set amount of money per month to charity; saving 10 per cent of a month's salary for the future; installing water efficiency measures in the home; spending one day a month volunteering Or it might be the opportunity to tick something off a bucket list: Book that eat pray love style retreat in Bali; read "war and peace"; take a road trip for a weekend with no planned destination; give up smoking/lose weight/start getting fit - for real this time.
Why should you sign up to join the project?
What's in it for you?
You'll change the world. Maybe not in a big way, but maybe you'll make more of a difference than you think.

Everything we call progress today started not just with one person, but with individuals who each took small steps until collectively they began to run, then fly.

And that's what changes the world.

Think about it... The end to enslavement of negroes. Took 50 years, but it started with individuals.

The right for women to vote. And work after having children.

The rights of indigenous Australians, as the rightful owners of this land.

The rights for gays and lesbians to be married (still not there yet, but you can feel the people starting to run on this one, soon they'll be flying and before long it will be legislated)

Your project, whatever it is you feel strongly enough about to shout out to the world, it will make a difference.

So what if you worry that your goal is not as lofty as ending poverty or helping the needy?

Well, consider this... If your goal is to lose weight, you will learn the power of harnessing your will - and you will continue to do great things.
If your goal is to read more books, you will become more educated - and you will continue to do great things.
If your goal is to not yell at your kids for just one day, you will learn patience, negotiation skills and the power of listening - and you will most certainly continue to do great things.
I've had many people congratulate me on this project and even more roll their eyes and write it off as a crazy phase (including my family and friends).
But regardless, I truly believe my world will be a better place at the end of it.

And if 365 people join me for just one day, and those people each inspire 3 people, that will be over a thousand individuals actively making their world a better place with their own thoughts and actions, purposely making a difference.

Here are some of my upcoming projects, a few of them major, a few of them tiny, but each of them meaningful to me... I hope they motivate you to join me and to pay it forward and invite others to do the same...
Learn to speak more fluent French - spend a month speaking French at home on Fridays. With my family. They are not keen, but I am sure they will one day say "Merci maman"

Buy a hybrid car - I need a new car, so this is not as crazy as it sounds. This is about thinking sustainably about all new big purchases such as appliances, cars, holidays etc.

Buy no new things in November - this is about teaching yourself and your family, in the lead up to Christmas, about needs v wants. If you need new clothes there are perfectly good second hand places to purchase from. Vintage stores count. Pay it forward - I've wanted to do this since reading the book.

Pay for the coffee, newspaper, parking meter or loaf of bread of the person next in line... And explain why. And ask them to pay it forward. It might be awkward. It might be embarrassing. But you'll be glad you did it.

Proudest project to date? Hands down it was "people should know what you stand for. They should also know what you won't stand for". I took the opportunity to stand up against small mindedness about those in gay relationships. And I know it made a difference. Maybe only in my small community, but my kids are in that community and they will take that stance out into their community as they grow and it's likely to be a lot bigger than mine. That one day, that one project, I felt enormously powerful. And the love I got back from those my stance affected... Absolutely priceless.

Email me to pledge your support to join us on march 31: belinda@eventshunter.com.au

Be the change you want to be in your world....