We made it!
3 success stories based on (at least) 2 skills…
Patience and persistence are undervalued skills in our fast-paced environment. They are difficult and require a mindset with a longer-term perspective. When you look deeper and behind the scenes of many (overnight) success-stories, these skills appear – again and again.
Change often needs time … accepting this can be difficult and at the same time, providing you the energy to keep going when things get tough.
Here’s where I have noticed this recently:
1: #ClimateActionNow
After several months of campaigning for Climate Action, Integrity and Equality (and a different type of economy), Zali Steggall and several other independent candidates were voted into the Australian Parliament. The tireless work of about 1400 volunteers in #TeamZali paid off.
As I wrote in my last newsletter, Changemaker? It's a team effort!, many small positive and purposeful actions paid off. Often in the face of a very negative context. Our patience was tested more than once. Staying positive and persistently doing what you believe is best for the community and planet was needed. I am more than happy that I was able to make a small contribution to positive change as volunteer coordinator in our area.
2: #WhaleSharks
After nearly ten years in the making, a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I travelled to Western Australia to swim with whale sharks. We were lucky, WA opened its borders – just in time. The weather was favourable and whale sharks were around at Ningaloo Reef. The whole bucket list activity became quite an adventure.
We met a fast-swimming whale shark and to be able to see it, our guides had to place us quite strategically in the water and once the shark passed by, we had to swim very fast to keep up with it … an impossible ask. Thus, we were dropped into the water at different locations a few times. Each time the same challenges: fast swimming, managing your snorkel-gear and avoiding red-stinging jellyfish. We persisted and had an awe-inspiring experience. It’s given me a new appreciation of the ocean-eco-system.
3: #Vaude
During our recent trip to WA, I read the German book “Mut steht uns gut!” (Courage fits us well). The author Antje von Dewitz is the managing director of VAUDE, an outdoor brand pioneering sustainability in Europe. The German family run company conceives innovative apparel and equipment for mountain, cycling and urban life. Antje has been transforming VAUDE into a completely sustainable company for 12 years now.
She advocates tirelessly for ecological and social responsibility in the supply chain –not only at VAUDE, but also on a national and international level. She calls for companies to take on responsibility for people and the planet. VAUDE has received the highest honour at the prestigious German Sustainability Awards and has been named Germany's Most Sustainable Brand.
The book is full of detailed stories of how long and difficult change often has been and how listening to all stakeholders with patience has been necessary. Success didn’t come quickly in linear ways. The VAUDE team often had to deal with failures and persistently work towards their sustainability goals. An inspiring and informative read (unfortunately, currently just in German).
Patience and persistence are skills that we will work on in our upcoming “Naturally Successful Changemakers” program. Drop me a line here to learn more about how you can achieve more with less stress.
Naturally yours,
Ingrid