Pictured above: Jeff Bender, founder of Lion+Owl, and his kids.

The Threads of Change podcast for September features the founder — Jeff Bender — of Lion+Owl, a clothing brand that offers thoughtfully-created pieces that are comfortable to wear and also sensory friendly. The brand came about because of a need that appeared to be unmet, or at least not fully met as could be.

It’s a case of someone seeing a problem and, instead of saying, “I wish someone would do something about that,” setting out to create the solution himself. It’s the meaning of the motto, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Unfortunately, being the change you want to see can be more difficult than people think. So, how does one get started?

How Apparel Decorators Can Cultivate Change

First off, know what you want to change, and why. Do you want a better children’s reading program in your community? Do you think that your state needs better tourism guides? Are you angry or saddened by something that’s happening in the world?

Before you can change anything, you have to know what you want to change and why you think it needs changing. Who will benefit from the change? What will be better if you’re able to affect this change? Creating change is often a hard and lonely business. If you don’t know why you’re doing it and why the end result will be worth the effort, it’s easy to lose momentum.

Second, be realistic about what inspiring change takes. It’s easy to think that everyone will see the sense of what you’re proposing and jump on your bandwagon, but that’s not always the case. There are an infinite number of ways to approach a situation, and a group of well-meaning people can look at the same problem and come up with diametrically opposed, but still well-intentioned, solutions.

Be aware that a lot of change happens incrementally, and that progress will often be slow. You should also take into account the fact that there will be those who oppose the change you’re pursuing, and who may actively be obstacles. That’s why knowing you motivation and the benefits of the change you’re pursuing is so important.

Third, set clear goals. You know what you want to change, and you know why. Now it’s time to deal with how. What are you going to do to create the change you want to see? Are there permits you need to get? Do you need to get buy-in from stakeholders? How will you get your message out? What’s your timeline for getting all this done?

In order to actively create something that changes the world or even just your community, you have to know the path to get there. Goals outline the path for you and give you some benchmarks to see if you’re progressing. Goals provide structure. If you have a set of goals, you have a map — you’re not just flailing around trying everything in hopes that something works.

Fourth, take consistent action. Creating change is generally not a fast process. It requires commitment to the cause and a willingness to continually work toward the goals you’ve set. Progress will not always be easy to see, and some days or weeks may seem to bring no progress at all. That’s when being consistent will be necessary.

Even when it feels like things aren’t working and no progress has been made, you still need to get out and do the work. Talk to the local groups that can help. Create that website. Write that grant proposal. Keep doing the things that will get you closer to the goals you’ve set out.

Fifth, build a community. Creating change by yourself is hard. You need to find others who believe in what you’re doing and see the necessity for the change you want to make. Dtart a page on social media. Find volunteers who are willing to help you do the necessary work. Perhaps you write a blog or start a forum. The goal is to get your ideas in front of the audience who will see the need for the change you’re working to make. The momentum and power of a group is always more than one person can generate alone.

Sixth, cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Yes, it’s cliché, but it’s also necessary. Making effective change in the world is not easy, but it is worth the effort. On the days when it seems difficult, or even impossible, it’s good to remember to be grateful for the opportunity in front of you.

Feeling strongly enough about something to want to change it and having the opportunity and resources to do so is powerful. Remembering to be grateful for even small victories reminds you that progress is happening and that you’re doing something worth celebrating.

Credit: Lion+Owl

A Goal of Working Together

Creating change isn’t for the faint of heart. And it can also cause conflict as not everyone will agree on what the change should be and how it should be implemented. Still, whether it’s a small change in your neighborhood, or a change that will impact things globally, it’s worth making the effort and fighting for what you believe is necessary and right. Change only happens when ordinary people get to work and try to make things better. And, ultimately, making things better should always be the goal.