This is the 4th edition of the “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Decisions” series where we highlight another person who embodies the statement: “Change the way you think, and you can change the world.”
Last night when I Google’d “Change the world” I was a little surprised that a New York Times Bestseller, comic book author, and TV show creator showed up first on the list. I would never diminish the importance of books, comics, or informative TV shows, but what does any of that have to do with changing the world?
It turns out Brad Meltzer (author of “Book of Lies” and “Heroes for My Son” and creator of “Brad Meltzer’s Decoded” on the History Channel) is starting his own movement to change the world. His success is undeniable (despite this amusing video he created to show reviews from his critics) so it’s hard to call Brad Meltzer an “Ordinary Person” who made an “Extraordinary Decision” and yet he founded an organization dedicated to helping Ordinary People change the world.
At OrdinaryPeopleChangeTheWorld.com, the message is clear- you don’t have to have a million dollars, a million hours, or be a genius to change the world. You can donate $1, share your story, be kind, or do something small that makes a difference in someone’s day. It all matters. As his website says:
“Let me be as clear as I can here: I believe ordinary people change the world.”
His site is filled with stories of ways in which ordinary people can make a difference. If you get a chance, read The Starfish Story. It will change the way you think about your impact on the world. On the site, you can submit a story about someone/something that changed your life or a good deed you did recently. You can also find volunteer opportunities at charities. You can donate $1 toward the current $100,000 campaign, which happens to be City Year.
Brad Meltzer is helping people realize that you don’t have to be rich and powerful to change the world, you just have to change the way you think about your role in the world. Change can be $1. Change can be smiling at someone having a rough day. Change can be volunteering for 1 hour. Change can be ordinary and incredible at the same time.
The Mission Statement at Ordinary People Change The World says it all:
To strengthen.
To inspire.
To save.
And most important, to remind us that there is greatness inside all of us.
We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. And on remembering that we should never ever ever apologize for who we are.
Unless we’re real jackasses. Then apologize away.
What good deed did you do to change the world today?
Editor’s Note: Breanne Harris is the Solutions Architect for Pearson TalentLens. She works with customers to design selection and development plans that incorporate critical thinking assessments and training. She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and has experience in recruiting, training, and HR consulting. She is the chief blogger for Critical Thinkers and occasionally posts at ThinkWatson. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter for more of her thoughts.
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