#52: Avalanche

An avalanche can have devastating consequences. Whatever and whoever stands in its way is at risk of serious harm. Without doubt, it displays all elements of a destructive force.

What about triggering our own avalanche of positive change?

Oh, you tell me that avalanches and positive change are mutually exclusive. You claim they don’t form a natural fit.

Do they really not?

Two of my core beliefs are that almost nothing is inherently and exclusively positive or negative and we are all destined to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

That is why I like to play around with the meaning of natural phenomenons such as this one.

If we reduced an avalanche to its core, then it represents a tremendous amount of something that comes unexpectedly. I think we are comfortable with that.

Adding the factors that cause an avalanche to that base understanding, then we have something powerful to work with:

Steep slope: identify an underlying need or desire («what is it for?»)

Snow cover: take the people experiencing such need or desire in your community («who is it for?»)

A weak layer in the snow cover: connect with those few who feel how that need or desire is directly relevant to them in combination with a strong sense of urgency («it affects me and I want to do something about it!»)

A trigger: focus on an experience («now I understand»)

It is also worth noting other defining features of avalanches. They launch from the starting zone and come to a stop in the run-out zone. Its natural path in between is called the avalanche track.

Now use your imagination when trying to answer the following question:

What experience («trigger»), naturally occurring or carefully designed, could I leverage to mobilize a small group of people who feel strongly («weak layer of snow cover») about a broader need for change («steep slope») in my community («snow cover»)?

Ready to pull the trigger?