The power of 10.

• Author: Sutor, Alycia
• Position: President's Podium

I have a tendency to dream big and be endlessly optimistic and hopeful, so I'm less than half joking when I encourage us to put world transformation on LMA's list of achievable goals. I do recognize how out of touch that can sound, but I think it is possible, and it can start with the little things.

Lately, I've been appreciating the transformative power of small steps and slight shifts. I'm experimenting with powers of 10 to keep me disciplined--challenging myself to do something 10 times before making a judgment or trying to shift my behavior 10 percent of my time.

As an example of this, lately I've created my own mini-experiment by giving myself a goal to capture 10 "I love it when" moments each day. I've been carrying around a notepad, and, as I spot something, I jot it down as "I love it when..." I suppose it started as a new twist on counting my blessings, but what I've learned is that trying to achieve that daily goal keeps me more attuned to what's actually happening around me.

One of the results is that I've become more aware of the number of people I pass by who are homeless, unemployed or asking for help as I scurry around downtown Chicago or other urban areas I visit. While I don't yet know how to tackle that larger social issue, I do know that I don't like it much when I just walk past those people, pretending I don't notice them. I've taken to carrying granola bars in my bag so I can respond with something when asked for money. Occasionally the food is refused, but more often it's not, and, when that happens, I find I receive an unexpected gift. A moment is created--a small conversation, smiles exchanged--a brief connection to another person I would not otherwise know When those moments occur from that little power of 10 experiment, I find that it simultaneously gives me the joy that comes from exercising the power of generosity and a renewed, deeper...