Draw a picture of what's going on in your neighbourhood, school or campus. Drawing a map is a great way to think about what is going on around you. Include things like...

Now, look at your map. What are the problems that are linked to each space on your map? Include all the problems you can think of. Think about problems with people, technology, resources and the environment. Using a different colour, draw or write about these problems in the places where they are happening.

Is there anything that needs fixing? Broken windows? A wall with graffiti? Are there any spaces that are dangerous? Are there any environmental problems? Is litter lying around? Are there leaking taps?

List the problems
Together with your team, go back to your map. Use what you have drawn and written to make a list of all the problems.

Group the problems
Group the problems that are similar and that you think can be solved together.

Choose the problem
Choose one problem or a group of similar problems that you would like to solve.

Clearly describe the problem
What is the problem you are trying to solve? Describing the problem clearly is the first step to solving it.

List the actions
Together with your team list all the actions you can think of to solve the problem. Let everyone in the team share their ideas without being interrupted or criticised.

Group the actions
Now group together the actions that are similar.

Investigate each action
Put each action on an action card. Now use the card to find out as much as you can. Use a separate card for each action.

Choose your action
Compare all the actions cards. Remove the cards that will not work. Now choose the action that your team can do.

Now it's time to turn your action card into an action plan.

Your team has chosen one action card to work on. Now answer these questions:

What will your team do?
Be specific about the action.

Who will do it?
Name the specific team member or person in the community.

When will it be completed?
It always helps to agree to a deadline – the date when the action will be completed.

What resources and information are needed to do it?
Check out this action plan for painting a mural to see how to set up your own action plan.

Not much more to say but JUST DO IT! Remain committed and don't stop until you've completed your plan.

If you've already created your group on forgood, create an activity to promote your team's action. Or first create your group on forgood, then create an activity for your group by clicking on 'Activities' on your group page navigation. You may even get new members to join you.

Review your actions
Together with your team, measure your successes.

Ask yourselves:

• What is working?
• What have we done well?
• What values did we live out that we are proud of? For example: teamwork, perseverance, etc.

Make sure that you all praise the team's achievements. Find reasons to celebrate.

Revise your actions
Now review where you see there is room for improvement.

Ask yourselves:

• What is not working?
• What do we need to change to improve our plan?
• What values are we living out that we are not proud of? For example: selfishness, laziness etc.

Make sure that you recommit to improving your team's efforts.

Often people are excited at the start of a project, but then fail to complete the project. We have to stay motivated and inspired to see a project through to the end.

Keep motivated – stay inspired

Together with your team list the things that motivate and inspire you.

Ask yourselves:

• What are the things that make us feel good?
• Are we, as a team, doing enough, regularly, to motivate ourselves?
• What creative and inspiring things can we do to grow our team's spirit?

Keep in contact – meet regularly
Your team spirit and motivation is held together by:

• Keeping each other informed. Make sure you sms, email and share information about your project.
• Meet regularly to make sure you are achieving your team's goals.

Act together to live out your values

• Pull your weight – do what you say you will do.
• Go the extra mile – do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• Do your best – reflect on what values you have lived out during your project.

Find out more about values.

Promote your team's project – talk about it, send sms's, make posters, go on radio, write to your local newspaper or share your story on forgood. You might get more support from people in your community once they see that your actions are leading to real change.