Change,  Changemakers,  Courage,  Expansion,  Full Moon,  Innovation,  Leadership,  Legacy,  Possibility,  Trailblazer,  Uniqueness

Are You a Changemaker or a Trailblazer?

July 9, 2014 / 15 Comments

MoondanceMoonGoddessAs someone who has spent years in the political arena working on campaigns and issues related to the betterment of humanity, I have a full understanding of the impact of the changemakers. Many of them are humanitarian by nature and feel quite purposeful when they’re creating big change for society.

They have a “fix-it” approach to solving life’s problems with a heart-filled desire to equalize opportunities for others. They thrive on working within a collective energy in an effort to push the human race forward. They’re often the “first responders” in a time of crisis, ready to share their best tools and practices for changing the current circumstances.

I’ve also spent a lot of time working in the corporate arena, alongside people whom I would deem as trailblazers. These are the people who have a gift for innovation and possibility. They’re always looking for new ways of doing things and they’re chock-full of new ideas. They’re highly-creative people and are often thought leaders in their fields. You’ll never find them copying anyone else’s process – or modeling anyone else’s style. They are truly unique in their approach to life and in the way they conduct business.

And it’s not uncommon to hear a trailblazer refer to being a “lone ranger” – often finding themselves on the trail alone, lighting a dark and mysterious path for others to follow. There’s a high level of boldness that’s required to be the first one who steps foot on an unmarked trail.

Positive change is what feeds the soul of a changemaker – while innovation and new possibilities are the hallmark of a trailblazer.

And just to be clear – innovation isn’t change. There’s a huge distinction between these two energies. Change is moving away from something – while innovation is moving toward something.

Changemakers work hard to remove the constraints of society and the self-imposed constraints of individuals. They’re most inspired when they can “unlock the hold” of a long-standing regime – or break a pattern of ongoing abuse.

Trailblazers, on the other hand, thrive on new ways of seeing and experiencing the world – and love to come up with approaches that seem risky to others and are often untested by society. And it’s this innovation that helps them drive higher order solutions toward something that is truly ground-breaking.

Innovation and change require two different mindsets.

Change can be described as the “make it stop” or “make it better” mindset – while the innovation mindset is best described as “make it different” or “make it new.” Notice how the former pushes you away from an undesired state, while the latter pulls you towards a desired state.

So which one are you – the changemaker or the trailblazer?

And how are these energies showing up in your life, both personally and professionally?

These are great questions to ponder as we move into another full moon phase – and begin to consider the best ways to shine through our own unique gifts.

Tina M. Games is the author of Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother’s Path to Self-Discovery (an interactive book with an accompanying deck of 54 journaling prompt cards). As a certified creativity and life purpose coach, and a gifted intuitive, she is the “Moonlight Muse” for women who want to tap into the “full moon within” and claim their authentic self, both personally and professionally. Through her signature coaching programs, based on the phases of the moon, Tina gently guides women from darkness to light as they create an authentic vision filled with purpose, passion and creative expression. She lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts with her husband and their two children.

15 Comments

  • veronica

    July 9, 2014 at 9:28 pm Reply

    I appreciate the distinction Tina. I consider myself more of a trailblazer the more I live life. Discovering new ways to connect the heart and spirit has inspired me for a very long time. Often times it is the merging of these two life energies which people resist most. I enjoy the challenge and know this is where true transformation occurs. Thank you!

  • Kailean

    July 9, 2014 at 9:37 pm Reply

    I am definitely a change maker. I want to see continual refinement and improvement, and am always seeking ways to make things better–work better, feel better, relate better. Just ask my kids….:) Thanks for the clarity!

  • Cher

    July 10, 2014 at 12:33 am Reply

    Tina,

    Thank you for pointing out the difference between the trailblazer and the changemaker. I feel I have tendencies towards both. I guess I fit with innovation, creatively “making it better” for my clients.

    Cher Gunderson
    Masteryouraccent.com

  • Patricia

    July 10, 2014 at 11:01 pm Reply

    Tina, what a great post!! Love how you pointed out the difference between what feeds the soul of a Changemaker and a Trailblazer. I see myself more as a Changemaker. I’m more up for Positive change, I see myself as a Humanitarian. Thanks for sharing such a great article! 🙂

  • Kaira

    January 15, 2015 at 6:49 pm Reply

    Very thought provoking Tina and I believe that over the past year with my self-discovery journey that was amplified times ten as an entrepreneur, I am transforming from changemaker to trailblazer! I appreciate the distinctions so that I may contemplate more and have a guide post as I continue to pursue my vision!

  • Lea Tran

    October 29, 2015 at 1:16 pm Reply

    I would say I’m more of a trailblazer than a change maker. And I agree that I can be lonely, and reading your article helps me to understand why – and inspires me to keep going. Thanks for the great article, Tina 🙂

  • Josee

    November 3, 2015 at 4:55 pm Reply

    What a great blog Tina; very clear distinction between the change maker and the trailblazer. I’m definitely a change maker. Love it when things continue to improve for the better. I thrive when my clients come to see the light on what’s been holding them back from achieving a health and vitality. Truly inspirational.

  • Carol

    April 8, 2016 at 11:35 pm Reply

    Can we be both at different times? Is that possible?
    I tend to trailblaze, however, I believe there are times I have been a changemaker.

    I think there might be a need to be both at different times and in different situations. I am going to ponder a bit more.

    Thank you, Tina, for posting such thought provoking posts. I love working with you again.

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