Cant Not Do: The Compelling Social Drive that Changes Our World

DISCOVER THE KEY DRIVERS THAT WILL MAKE YOU A MORE EFFECTIVE FORCE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE!

"This is a vital, generous, urgent book, a call to arms, a step–by–step look at how you (really, you) can make a significant difference. I gulped it in one sitting."
Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception

"If Paul Shoemaker is right, and I think he is, then the greatest positive changes in our communities, organizations, and indeed the world have come about because someone said, ′I can′t not do something about this.′ This book will inspire you to find your ′can′t not do′ and do it."
Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and To Sell Is Human

"Can′t Not Do brilliantly captures our deeply human desire to live a life of significance, a life that somehow makes a real difference in the world. Astonishing stories of regular people, street smart insights and passionate authenticity highlight how each of us in our own way can drive social impact. This book is optimistic, engaging and action oriented; it is a real treasure."
Tom Tierney, author of Give Smart and co–founder of Bridgespan, Board Chair of EBay Corp.

"Paul Shoemaker has been a force for mobilizing people who want to do good in ways big and small. Through stories of people who make amazing things happen, Can′t Not Do continues to push ripples of the possible."
Jacqueline Novogratz, author of The Blue Sweater and CEO of Acumen

Can′t Not Do is a hands–on guide for anyone who has the burning desire to make a difference in the world. This vital resource is filled with the real–life stories and hard–earned lessons from some of our most dynamic and successful change agents.

Prologue: The Power of Can t Not Do xi

Introduction: Why Our Social Drives Matter More Now Multipliers 1

PART I FINDING YOUR FOCUS 13

Chapter 1 David Risher, the Lost Key, and Eradicating Illiteracy: Are You a Determined Optimist? 15

What s the Point? 19

Haven t Had That Aha Moment? 23

This Work Does Not Have to Be an Epic Endeavor 27

So What s Mine? 29

Optimism + Determination 31

= Grit 34

Chapter 2 Lisa Chin Is Not Doing This to Be Happy: Who Are You at Your Core? 37

What s the Point? 40

A Cause Connected to Your Core for Someone Else 42

The Right Time and Place 45

Putting Optimism to Work: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 10 49

Chapter 3 Eleuthera Lisch, Stepping Out from Behind the Fourth Wall: Are You Willing to Go to Hard Places? 53

What s the Point? 56

Some Hard Places Aren t Places 59

What If You Have to Leave a Hard Place? 62

Failure Never Feels Good to Anyone, Including Me 64

Finding Meaning in a Hard Place 66

PART II HOW YOU DO THIS WORK WELL 69

Chapter 4 Jeff Tollefson, Losing It All and Becoming Richer: Are You Ready to Be Humble and Humbled? 71

What s the Point? 75

Power (and Humility?) in Philanthropy 77

Humility Has Power 81

Your Mindset 84

Level 5 Leaders and Humility 85

My Own Lesson in Humility 86

Even the Great Are Humbled 88

Chapter 5 Lori, I Got Married a Little Too Early to the Right Woman: Can You Actively Listen? 91

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood 91

What s the Point? 93

Levels of Listening, Where Are You? 96

You Hear Interesting Things When You Listen 97

Chapter 6 Suzi Levine, Learning When Not to Raise Her Hand: Do You Believe 1 + 1 = 3? 103

What s the Point? 106

1 + 1 = 3 with Connectors 108

Learning to Connect 109

Pacing the Floor Like an Expectant Father 111

Director or Connector? 114

PART III BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER FOR YOUR WORLD AND YOU 117

Chapter 7 Heidi Breeze–Harris, a Sick Pregnant Lady with an Idea: What Is Your Can t Not Do? 119

What s the Point? 124

A Different Kind of Career Dedicated to Can t Not Do 125

Can t Not Do for Others 126

Can t Not Do Takes Time, A Long Time 129

What Is It in Your Life That You Can t Not Do? 130

Chapter 8 Why Your Social Drives Matter More Now: The Equation 133

The Equation 135

What s Possible 137

Conclusion Surrendering to the Intention 141

A Meaningful versus a Happy Life 142

Start the Journey 146

My Family, Where It All Starts . . . and Ends 146

APPENDIX INTRODUCTION 149

Appendix 1 20 Questions for a Personal Checklist: Finding Your Focus 151

Appendix 2 20 Suggestions for a Personal Checklist: How You Do This Work Well 157

Appendix 3 Which Stories Fit You Best? 161

Appendix 4 Additional Resources for Getting Started: SVP Stuff, Books, Websites, and Blogs 163

Appendix 5 Chapter–by–Chapter Summary 167

Notes 175

About the Author 181

Acknowledgments 183

Index 187

If you′re out to change the world, PAUL SHOEMAKER is there to connect you to people, ideas, and organizations that matter. Shoemaker is the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International a global network of thousands of social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business and community leaders in 39 cities and 8 countries. With insights from 17 years of this unique vantage point, he is a global thought leader on how individuals can be effective social change agents. In 2011 and 2012, Shoemaker was named one of the "Top 50 Most Influential People in the Nonprofit Sector" by The NonProfit Times.