Arena: Disciplined Social Innovation

Social Innovation

Activity 1 – Self-Knowledge Audit


 

Step 1

Self-knowledge is an important practice for social innovation. It is the ability to assess our character, strengths, weaknesses, and how we imagine ourselves in the world. Self-reflection lets us look at what is real about where we are and where we have been. There are a variety of techniques to develop self-knowledge.

Make a knowledge map to conduct a social innovation self-knowledge audit. Commit to a self-knowledge audit that lasts at least two months. During this time, explore these questions:

Am I an entrepreneur?
Is this the right time for me?
What are my qualities and characteristics.
What are my tendencies?
What are my habits?
Have I matured to a point that I can work with these capacities?

 

Step 2

Ask friends, family, colleagues what they see in you relative to the capacities enumerated on the board. Ask them to help add to your reflections. 

 

Step 3

Map the past 7-8 years. Consider key relationships, health, habit life, housing stability, finances.

Where have you been?
Where are you?
Where do you want to be in the future?
Is there room inside you? Do you have the will and the energy to show up as an entrepreneur? An innovation is like a spiritual child that you gestate and need to nourish as it grows.

 

Step 4

Journal regularly everyday.

 

Step 5

Talk about your ideas regularly.  Practice explaining your idea to diverse people will help you refine your idea. People can help you if you ask.