Why Your Own Happiness is Crucial to Sustainable Community Development

In a world grappling with failing systems and environmental crises, it has become increasingly evident that the solutions we require will not be found using the same type of thinking that's creating them. We find ourselves at an inflection point in our human story where our current paradigms are fuelling ineffective systems and in many cases causing some of our most vital systems to fail. To navigate these challenges, this is perhaps that crucial moment when we must tap into our inherent creativity and evolve beyond our existing limitations.

Albert Einstein, widely considered one of the greatest and most influential physicists of all time is often credited with the insight that "the world we have made as a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far creates problems that we cannot solve at the level of thinking at which we created them." Although there is some debate over whether Einstein actually said these exact words, the sentiment expressed aligns with his philosophy and worldview.

Einstein was not alone in recognising the limitations of our thinking when it comes to solving complex problems. Many other great minds who have studied our origins and behaviour have shared similar sentiments. For example, Charles Darwin, the father of evolutionary theory, wrote in "The Descent of Man" that "we can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act." In other words, even the tiniest living organism is too complex to be explained by simple cause-and-effect thinking.

Similarly, the philosopher and psychologist William James argued that "a new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows." James was pointing out how difficult it can be to break free from entrenched ways of thinking and embrace new ideas that challenge our assumptions.

These examples illustrate how many of the greatest thinkers throughout history have recognized the limitations of our thinking when it comes to solving complex problems. By acknowledging these limitations, we can begin to explore new perspectives and approaches that may ultimately lead to breakthroughs in science, technology, and human understanding.

To accomplish this transformation, we must live differently and see the world through new lenses. Leslie Davenport aptly stated, "To see differently is to live differently, and living differently is the key to avoiding environmental crisis." This shift in perspective requires adopting a systems thinking approach, which enables us to perceive interrelationships and patterns of change rather than static snapshots, as Peter Senge observed.

So how do we do this and challenge the narratives that shape our lives?

Naomi Klein, an influential writer and activist, calls upon us to engage in critical thinking. She urges us to question the narratives we live by, to peel back the layers of dominant ideologies and explore alternative possibilities. By questioning and challenging these narratives, we can open up space for creative solutions and new ways of being.

Kate Raworth, an economist and author, brings another dimension to our understanding of systems thinking. She encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of the relationship between the whole and its parts. Raworth emphasises the need to look beyond the metaphors and contracted frames of reference that limit our thinking. By expanding our perspective and embracing the complexity of interconnected systems, we can uncover innovative approaches to sustainable community development.

Ursula K. Le Guin, the renowned science fiction writer, contributes to this narrative by highlighting the power of paradoxical thinking. She invites us to pause and consider the multitude of paradoxes that exist all around us. And it is in the face of apparent contradictions, Le Guin reminds us that creativity, innovation, and change often emerges when we embrace the tensions and paradoxes within our world, we open ourselves to new values and transformative possibilities.

While these brilliant women offer distinct perspectives, through studying their ideas we have concluded that there is an often overlooked link between happiness and sustainable development and understanding this requires a departure from conventional thinking. It is vital we question the narratives, understand the complexity of interconnected systems, and embrace the paradoxes that shape our world. By doing so, we tap into our inherent creativity and pave the way for transcendence.

However, perhaps surprisingly, the ability to think differently and foster creativity is deeply intertwined with our emotional well-being. A study conducted by MingDao University sheds light on this connection. The research focused on 180 designers in Taiwan, selected from two top design associations, to explore the relationship between subjective well-being, job satisfaction, and creative inspiration.

The findings revealed a strong correlation between subjective well-being, job satisfaction, and creative inspiration. The study demonstrated that these aspects of well-being were highly correlated with inspirational experiences. Moreover, intrinsic satisfaction in a job was closely linked to inspirational experiences, while psychological well-being exhibited a positive with inspiration. The study indicates that emotional responses, such as happiness and well-being, play a pivotal role in generating creative ideas.

While the MingDao study highlights the importance of personal happiness in creative inspiration, it is worth noting the stark contrast presented by a 2016 survey conducted by Deloitte's Shift Index. This survey revealed that a staggering 80% of the individuals interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with their work and how they expressed themselves in the world. Furthermore, 9 out of 10 respondents felt that the current societal framework did not provide an environment conducive to personal fulfilment and happiness. These findings shed light on the alarming reality that a significant majority of individuals are not engaged in work that brings them joy or enables them to express their true potential.

It is no wonder, then, that we currently live in a world plagued by unhappiness and unfulfilled potential. If 80% of designers, who shape our built environment, products and services are designing from an unhappy and unfulfilled space within themselves, it is evident why our systems often fail to support well-being and sustainability.

Responding to the significance of personal happiness in unleashing creative potential that could contribute significantly to shaping a better world, we created the Ecobi: SRG Journey.

This transformative experience is designed to nurture Happy Change-Leaders.? On this journey we intertwine many outlooks, insights and the wisdom of great thinkers, scholars, teachers and leaders who came before us or are even now walking beside us. People like the aforementioned Albert Einstein, Peter Senge, Naomi Klein, Kate Raworth, Ursula K. Le Guin and many others. These great teachers on critical, complexity, systems, paradoxical and perspectival thinking help us experience a deep paradigm shift.?

In SRG Journeys we delve into the realms of Allan Watts' wisdom on human consciousness and the potential of Donella Meadows' leverage points to nurture our growth as Happy (and effective) Change-Leaders.

Watts, was a visionary philosopher and writer, who dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of human existence and the nature of consciousness. His teachings help us to explore the depths of our consciousness, to embrace the interconnectedness of all beings, and to transcend the limitations of conventional thinking. Watts invites us to tap into our inner wisdom, recognising that true change-leadership emanates from a place of self-awareness and an understanding of our profound connection to the world.

Donella Meadows, a renowned environmental scientist and systems thinker, introduced the concept of "leverage points" as a means to catalyse transformative change within complex systems. Meadows's work suggests that change-leadership extends beyond any individual's actions; that it requires an understanding of the underlying dynamics that shape our organisations, societies and our world. And it is when we identify and act, collectively, on strategic leverage points, that we can navigate and negotiate our way through complexity and create positive, lasting change - that aligns with our vision, our ambitions and our values.

This exciting programme places us at the intersection of many remarkable thinkers, like Watts and Meadows, and it is here we find an invitation — a call to explore the depths of our consciousness, embrace our interconnectedness, and harness the power of Leveraging -points to nurture our growth as change-leaders. This is a profound journey that goes beyond superficial change-leadership models and taps into the most fundamental aspects of our being.

Throughout this programme, we engage in interactive discussions, experiential exercises, and reflective practices. We continually challenge our existing paradigms, drawing inspiration from Watts' teachings on connectedness and Meadows' approach to system dynamics, in addition to the aforementioned insights of many others. Together, we create a scaffolding to expand our change-leadership capacities, enabling us to navigate complexity, inspire transformative action, and lead with purpose and authenticity.?

So, let us consider the words of Alan Watts: "The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." This is an invitation to join the dance of change-leadership development within SRG Journeys, guided by the fusion of ideas and practices of generations of change-leadership so that we may continue to develop the skills and wisdom necessary to nurture a thriving future for ourselves, our society, and our world.

The Ecobi Happy Change Leaders SRG Journey empowers individuals to question dominant narratives, understand complex systems, and embrace paradoxes. By nurturing their own happiness, participants learn to tap into their creative potential and become catalysts for sustainable community development. Through this journey, we activate the brilliance within each individual and foster collaboration among like-minded change-makers.

In Conclusion

Our best shot at changing our current trajectory, a failing system, is to harness the potential of those among us whom Nature herself has evolved to have the capability and capacity to emerge this better world. These individuals, the Mavericks, the fringe dwellers, and those willing to think and act differently, hold the key to a happier, healthier, more equitable, and sustainable world. By learning how to prioritise personal happiness, we not only unlock our own creative potential but also contribute to the collective evolution of our communities and the planet we call home.

Just to clarify, SRG Journeys itself is not a course but a powerful, evolving, resilience nurturing technology that provides the framework for the development of;

1/ An ever-expanding roster of contextually relevant learning experiences that explore the interplay between our Personal Development, (our own inner evolution and outer expression) and Collective Development (how we evolve alongside others, both human and non-humans), which we refer to as Entangled Development (ED).

2/ And a growing collective of mission centred communities of motivated individuals committed to continual Personal, Professional, Business and Community Development.

3/ It is also learning about how to effectively connect with other valuable individuals, businesses, communities and networks of like-minded people who share similar values, desires and aspirations to create a happier, more equitable and sustainable world.

SRG Journeys functions in the space between inner and outer, personal and socio-cultural development, providing a process that triggers a paradigm shift that brings into focus the leveraging opportunity that linking the two provides. This process of inner development coupled with outer development is what we now refer to as Entangled Development.

The Ecobi - Happy Change Leaders SRG Journey is only one application of this technology.??

We aspire to work with many different strategic partners to help them apply the SRG Journey framework to their unique cultural context in order to provide a global learning technology that can facilitate whole system change, where personal inner development is prioritised and understood to be deeply entangled with social outer and cultural development. With aligned partnership the possibilities with how we can apply SRG Journeys becomes infinite. If you would like to go on your own SRG Journey or if you are ready to lead the charge in shaping a brighter future, whether you're an organisation, business, or community, we're extending an invitation to join us at the forefront of the transformative movement towards an equitable and sustainable society. Together, we can unlock the power of our SRG framework, tailored to your distinct cultural context.

If you are intrigued and want to know more, get in touch at;

[email protected]

so we can explore what wants to emerge in the space between us.

For more information about SRG Journeys and some applications of this technology please click on the links below;

SRG Journeys

Ecobi - Happy Change Leader

Embrace Your Maverick Nature