1. Bringing About Meaningful Change
Prof Stuart B. Hill
Western Sydney University 1

2. One radical way to progress our thinking & action
is paradoxically (in a workshop context) to boldly ‘LIE'
about changes that you have already brought about
(that you have actually not brought about!)
Enables us to vision & act from our ‘core’ being (our benign potential); not from our maladapted/compensatory selves
By daring to engage in such 'deep' reflection & implementation
of meaningful doable initiatives, we can significantly contribute
to changing our lives & the world for the better
(rather than just tinkering with the status quo) 2

3. Bringing About Meaningful Change: Ground Rules
very first (uncensored) thoughts
focus on 1, 2 or 3 things (versus a long list)
in pairs: take turns to think & listen; equal (adequate) time; if in threes, third person can keep notes
express in words (&/or drawings, sounds…)
note all associated thoughts, feelings, images, memories…

4. (using: words, facial expression, body stance)
LYING PRACTICE! – in pairs (1 min each), boldly ‘lie’ about – whichever one is the bigger lie!
(using: words, facial expression, body stance)
the completely healthy breakfast I had this morning
the optimal physical exercises I did before breakfast! 4

5. Your ABSOLUTE ‘LIE’ (in pairs: 2 min each)
Boldly LIE about one positive thing you have successfully done
(that you have actually not done!) to implement a really significant
‘ecologically sustainable’ initiative – remember to go with your
first thought – choose re which is the most challenging area!
in your: work – home – region – or other
(Remember: this is a complete LIE!)

6. 3 Effective Enabling Actions
What were the 3 things that were most
effective & important in enabling you to
achieve your ‘lie’:
They may be ‘internal’ (e.g., beliefs about yourself)
&/or ‘external’ (e.g., helpful supports etc.) 1 2 3 6

7. What’s one thing you have actually already
done, or are currently doing, that in any way
relates to your lie?
What might be a possible next step or action
that could help to make your lie become a reality?

8. Kurt Lewin’s Force Field Analysis
add
strengthen
Driving forces*
Restraining forces (barriers)*
*external
& internal
remove
weaken 8

9. Limiting factors for change
(the most commonly mentioned barriers)
information & access to it, misinformation,
knowledge, skills, competencies…
resources: renewable, non-renewable, technologies, money, time…
institutional supports: policies, programs, structures, services, legislation, regulations… 9

10. Limiting factors for change
(usually the more important barriers)
family & community support
empowerment/disempowerment
(feelings of helplessness/hopelessness)
awareness
vision & imagination
values, worldviews, paradigms, beliefs
persistent denial, procrastination & distractive/compensatory activities 10

11. How might/could you go about getting these things that you would need?
What would you need to have access to
in order to be able to take this next step?
(particular information, skills, resources, supports, etc.)
How might/could you go about getting
these things that you would need?

12. What might stop you? (barriers): external
(eg, judgements by others, lack of support...) & internal
(eg, fears, lack of confidence, postponement patterns…)
How might/could you get around & overcome these external & internal barriers?
(e.g., by reducing the initiative to make it more doable…)

13. What small meaningful, doable initiative(s) are you
willing to absolutely commit to? Over what time frame?
Who will you ask to be an ally to you & collaborate with you, in this project; & what specifically will you ask them to do?

14. How will you celebrate your progress & outcomes?
– so that others may learn from your initiative & experience? (to make such progressive change become ‘contagious’)
What have you learned from participating in this exercise?