How to Change the World

Changemakers.net is a project of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public that focuses on supporting the rapidly growing community of social entrepreneurs. It describes its mission as:

...providing inspiration, resources, and opportunities for those interested in social change throughout the world.

So what are the first steps to become a social entrepreneur?

Changemakers asked six successful social entrepreneurs how to move from vision to reality.

Here's the essence of their advice:

• Know what you feel strongly about and why • Envision the problem and an ideal world • Make your vision big • Be passionate – commit to risk • Have faith • Listen: share ownership of your cause • Build a team: peers + mentors • Get the right mentors • Use your mentors well • Surround yourself with leaders • Get a partner • Be accountable • Know your friends and opponents • Act – don't overanalyze • Focus on collaboration – not starting an organization • Pick the right battles: make significant impact • Create models • Be flexible: expect to fail, learn and change • Experience others' lives • Prepare to deal with anger • Bounce back • Celebrate

Read How to Change the World: First Steps toward Becoming a Social Entrepreneur .