If you find yourself reading this, chances are you are a changemaker (even if you don’t call yourself one).

You might run a big nonprofit, or work in a purposeful role, or you might be raising kids at home, but I’d hazard a guess that you lean towards wanting to make a difference in the world (in your unique way) and wanting to leave some sort of legacy.

You might spend your days supporting others. Leading teams, building organisations, solving problems. There’s something that you’re passionate about (the thing that brings you joy when you think about it, even if its scary), and you feel drawn to helping people or planet.

We need you now more than ever. The world is chaotic, discordant and full of conflict, and its easy to believe that things are getting worse and no one is doing anything about it. But every day, millions of people get up and go out into the world to do things in support of others, whether it’s performing surgery or sweeping the streets. Each and every one acts in the service of others.

In this way we can all be described as changemakers. As we move through our lives we are constantly creating change and impacting upon others, but often this happens unconsciously, by default. If we want to build on this and spread joy, kindness and care, and if we want to put our unique energy into an idea that has meaning for us, we have to do it intentionally.

That’s Not Me…Is It?

The changemaker label won’t suit most people – we’ve been conditioned to downplay our natural talents and hide our strengths behind humility, which isn’t always a bad thing. But it can mean that our gifts get diluted somewhat. We have a burning idea to do something that will positively impact on the world in some way, but we stop ourselves, or our internal belief system kicks in to tell us we can’t do it. ‘Who am I to start that project or write that book?’ or ‘Why would anyone listen to me?’ or ‘People will think I’m too big for my boots if I put myself out there with this idea.’

So we stop ourselves in our tracks. We shrink back. We fold away our excitement into the recesses of our mind, and in so doing we deny the world of our much-needed Spark and the positive ripple effects it would create if we were to share it.

I know this because I have experienced it, many times over, as I’m sure you have too. The doubt, the uncertainty, the physical discomfort of revealing yourself and the thing you feel passionate about. Or on the other end of the scale, the unending pressure to make it a success, feeling as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders, until what used to be your passion becomes your route to burnout and disillusionment.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Whether you’re working a 9-5 job or running a charity, or anything in between, if you have something you want to share with the world, and you feel drawn to making a difference, then you’re a changemaker.

The problem is, no one gives us a changemaking playbook. While there are a million and one leadership conferences or training courses to learn the various skills of creating change, rarely is it all brought together in one place, and one important element is always forgotten: the person doing the changemaking.

While we can learn how to start a project or write a grant application, or learn effective storytelling to get our idea across, or public speaking to share our message, no one talks about the inner world of the changemaker and how that impacts upon our work. If we don’t get clear on our values, our belief systems, our internal world that shapes how we show up externally, then our efforts can quickly become derailed.

The truth is: what we do is a reflection of who we are.

And if we don’t really understand who we are, then we end up running on autopilot, not creating change consciously but repeating old patterns, mired by negative beliefs, stuck in push-pull cycles where we play out a dynamic that somehow we’ve programmed into our unconscious mind. Things like:

• I need to make money but money is the root of all evil, or ‘good’ people shouldn’t be wealthy
• I want to put myself out there but I’m afraid to be seen. What if ‘they’ judge me?
• I believe in this thing I feel passionate about, but I don’t believe in myself.
• I can do it… I can’t do it… I can do it… I can’t do it…

These endless cycles are mired in fear, guilt, shame, judgement and they’re a death to our Spark. Underneath all of that is the joy you feel when you’re doing something you love, there’s a strong sense of purpose, there’s a desire to help others or the world, there’s a sense of passion that makes you feel alive, there’s a sense of surety and trust that you’re on the right path and doing what you’re ‘meant’ to be doing.

Perhaps it’s time that we realised that changemakers need more than just a project management tool or a leadership course. To change the world we need to change ourselves.

Change from the Inside-Out

This is the work I am focused upon, and the next expression of my Spark of passion and purpose. I feel very clear that we need more people than ever before creating positive, conscious change in the world, grounded in kindness, care, joy and positivity. The ripple effects of this are beyond comprehension. But they cannot do it without support.

Working alongside changemakers is an honour, and I’ve been so lucky to meet many and share their stories through the Spark Changemakers Podcast. Now, I want to extend that support in other ways, through individual and group support, in ways that ignite my joy and passion, too. For me this means really getting alongside someone and understanding their journey, creating communities and networks, and weaving in travel – all of my passions in life. This work continues alongside The Spark Movement, which translates this work into creating a legacy for future generations. To make things better for our children and grandchildren, we have to act now.

This looks like:

• Changemaker Journeys – Weekly small group programmes, held online, to take you from inner to outer change, understanding yourself as a changemaker and creating a clear plan for your impact.
• Changemaker Coaching – One on one support for as long as you need it. A safe space to explore what’s going on for you to help you connect with your purpose.
• Overseas Travel – Combining purposeful travel with learning and reflection, from Changemaker Retreats to Impact Immersions, taking a deep dive on a particular theme in an overseas setting, learning experientially from changemakers in-country.

Find out more about all of these offers at www.NikkiGiant.com

Start by Retreating

As a reflection of this personal mission to create change from the inside-out, I’m starting by retreating: stepping back to create space to think, reflect, understand and realign and I’m inviting you to join me.

The Changemaker Retreat is an intimate four-day experience designed to help you reconnect with who you are, what matters most, and how you want to show up in the world.

Set within a beautiful venue in the Spanish mountains, this experience combines personal development, reflection, wellbeing, meaningful connection and practical action planning.

Together we’ll explore the beliefs, stories and patterns that shape our lives, reconnect with our values and strengths, rediscover our Spark, and create a vision for the future we’re ready to step into.

Who is this for?

• The charity leader questioning what’s next
• The educator wondering whether they’re still on the right path
• The founder who’s achieved what they wanted and still feels disconnected
• The consultant who spends all day helping others
• The person in transition or feeling stuck
• The parent who needs a break and time to think about their next chapter
• The person who knows there’s more

Whoever you are, this is for you.

What You’ll Leave With: Your Changemaker Blueprint

The retreat will allow you space to think and be, but we’ll also take practical action. The workshops will help you to create a blueprint for your expansion, so that you leave understanding yourself better, with a vision of your future self, and a route to get there.

Why a Retreat?

While it may sound like a luxury or a nice-to-have, creating space to think and reflect is invaluable, but all too often it’s hard to get any perspective when there’s no one guiding you through a process. Plus, changemaking often happens in isolation. Even those of us who are employed are working remotely more than ever before, and we can quickly become disconnected and isolated from others.

Being surrounded by a group of like-minds is invaluable, and having a network of people who are in a similar position and ‘get it’ is gold.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me in sunny Spain from 19-22nd  October. Learn more and see if it’s right for you at https://nikkigiant.com/changemaker-retreat