How will you know if you don't try?

Something a little different this week.

I was very kindly invited to join the Global Changemakers' Alliance by a friend with whom I have collaborated before and who continues to attempt to push boundaries.

As I mentioned in the post, though, it got me thinking. It would be quite easy to be blase about all this or crack a joke, and I am sure some would automatically default to this position. The other point is that reading some of the posts from founders and members made me question my value. Unlike most, I'm certainly not global and don't consider myself a specialist. I'm not inundated with speaking requests; in fact, I have only just started that journey. And I certainly don't have government awards on my bookshelf.

So you know what? To be honest, I have been sitting on the invite for several weeks, stewing over it. I talk a lot about stepping out of your comfort zone; this is a perfect example. Is it time to live and die by the sword?

It occurred to me that tiny steps in the right direction add up, so wouldn't it be worth it? What actual change can be made by staying in my bubble? Whatever you try to do, personally or professionally, there will always be those casting doubts.

After all, I was invited to join. It's got to mean something, right?

This isn't about revenue generation, profile boosting, or massaging ego. At its core, it's about attempting to effect change, however small.

How will you know if you don't try?

Background

Around 12 years ago, I fell into (as I imagine most do) the world of public transport.

It was difficult. It was complex. It wasn’t fun.

One day, the penny dropped as I continued to climb the steep learning curve, working closely with mentors. No matter whether delivery or strategy, people appreciated you showing up and making that phone call or meeting, good or bad, enabling trust to be built. Realising accountability built trust. This acted as a springboard into service delivery management, account management, and, recently, strategy, which is always customer and passenger focused.

At the end of the day, there are issues. I’ve been in the trenches. I’ve lost whole bank holiday weekends. I get it.

There are exciting projects on the horizon, and I am sure some we haven't even thought of collectively. I'm here to help, whether it's supporting BAU activity, client relationships, future thinking or, more often than not, a combination of all three.

What lights my fire

Funnily enough, I have just completed my performance review. Ironically, Julie and I noted that what really gets me pumped is joining the dots, the bigger picture, and creating THAT list for Santa. Listening to desired outcomes first and working backwards, banding around ideas and starting to shape and understand what it might look like and how it could work to identify the tangible benefit—that's what excites me, especially if it's in person and we get the pens out!

What would happen if we took a blank sheet of paper and started from the position of what if?

As my profile tagline says, I am simply here to help. I am not one for personal gain, reassuringly expensive day rates, or being put in a box.

Areas of interest

Some thoughts on areas of interest and groups joined.

• SDG9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Digital is becoming the new norm, but how do we bring everyone on that journey, and does that mean we should remove all paper and plastic cards from travel?

• SDG11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

As a community, we often discuss grand ideas encouraging start-ups or innovations. But we tend to do this in a silo or move at a glacial speed, and yet, as a result, we still haven't gotten over some fundamentals that continue to impact the passenger experience.

• SDG17 - Partnerships for the Goals

As you know, I am all about collaboration. I like bringing the right people together to shape future thinking, with everyone putting personal agendas aside.

Downtime

To me, downtime is about family and the outdoors, whether it's the morning-long walk with Molly, on a windswept beach in Wales when it's lashing with rain or visiting our favourite place, the Caribbean, and cruising the islands. I know; I appreciate being very lucky to be able to do that last one.

It's even allowed me to return to my roots and photography. Admittedly, these days, I've swapped the Nikon FM2 (look it up; yes, it's a film camera; I am that old) for my iPhone.

There is a lot of talk about the positive benefits of regularly getting outside, and that, coupled with the odd gin or two, is my downtime.

The wooden train was a present from Molly, our pooch. It now sits under my monitor. She obviously knows her daddy very well. Isn't she a clever girl?

What's the point of all this?

So, I guess this is all about reflecting and committing to doing something, not just talking about it and putting myself out there. It's about lighting that fire.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect," Mark Twain.

How will you know if you don't try?

If you want to learn more, please contact Pasan Gooneratne . I am sure he would be happy to explain. Like me, he is always up for a brew and chat. It would be great to see some of the transport community involved, wouldn't it? And meeting with and learning from new followers, connections, and subscribers brings value! Little plug ??

Thanks again, Pasan, for the invite.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and speak soon ??