Musings on creativity, community, storytelling and leadership
I’ve flirted with resolutions for years. Focused in on 3 Words a few times. But as we prepared to close out 2017 and usher in the new year I got to thinking about what I wanted more of, and on the flipside, what I could live with less of. From those furious synapses came this manifesto for 2018.
How do you answer that ubiquitous and often innocuous question from friends and strangers, “How are you?”
Do you give more than a glib and expected answer? Delve into how you truly are at that moment and possibly share the bad along with the good? Whether because of time constraints or social norms, most of us rarely do.
It’s something I’ve been pondering a lot lately as I talk and share about personal brand - mine and others. If being authentic is at the heart of a brand that resonates and forms strong bonds, how far should we go in living an authentic life both online and offline? Is it showing and sharing the good, bad and ugly at all times? Or is it a choice we make per circumstance, per situation and with perception in mind? Is the soft underbelly that is exposed when we get to sharing vulnerabilities and fears a positive attribute or one that exposes you beyond your control?
Because with taking risks comes the chance of failure. With trusting others comes the chance of betrayal. With taking leaps comes the chance at falling. With putting yourself out there comes the chance of rejection. With taking big bets comes the chance of getting knocked on your…(you get the picture.)
And when those circumstances occur should they be cloaked in bravado or shared in raw truth – or somewhere in the middle? What is the perfect formula, that magical authenticity balance between confidence and vulnerability?
As you might imagine by this series of questions, my mind is often a chaotic place. To gain clarity, I turn often to words from the witty and wise – poets and thinkers, authors and speakers. Thanks to Brene, Ernest and ee for these words that keep my mind moving and my synapses firing.
I’ve been thinking a lot about resilience lately. What it means to move through ordeals, opportunities and adventures with your energy and your enthusiasm for your work, and life in general, close to intact. And in the midst of it, to remain creative and focused. This week’s Monday Manifesto couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks to Brain Pickings as always for alerting me to it, and to illustrator Wendy MacNaughton and writer Courtney E. Martin for the wisdom.
I miss writing. For the pure unconstrained joy of it. Not being aware of structure and arcs and rules and just freeing words from my brain and putting them down in some permanent way. In order to have that freedom again, I need to bring back the discipline and order. Sounds a bit like a paradox, but it makes sense to my synapses. In trolling for a manifesto on writing I came across these words for wordplayers from author K.M. Weiland.
Happy Manifesto Monday to the writers of the world!
As I struggle to regain a rhythm, passion and purpose to writing for self, I have started to revisit words that have inspired me in the past. Words that soothed, sparked, warmed and fired up my soul. Some of my all-time favorites come in the forms of poems and manifestos. Right at the top of that list is Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem Success. A grounding of sorts, I’ve always enjoyed its directness and simplicity – and call to live a life that matters in a time when there are multiple ways external forces are pushing a vision of success upon us.
Happy Manifesto Monday…
Not sure if Theodore Roosevelt’s poetic words technically count as a Manifesto, but his Man in the Arena hits home for me so often. When I need a shot of confidence, when I need that extra oomph, when I need something to think instead of spouting off at competitors and doubters. These are the words I turn to…
You always remember your first. In this case, my first glimpse at a manifesto. Thanks to Brooklyn design studio Holstee for these words – crafted to inspire people to live mindfully.
What resonated most with me…. Do what you love, and do it often. Stop over analyzing. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself…go out and start creating.
For all those suffering from Imposter Syndrome (you know who you are!), this week’s manifesto is for you… Corbett Barr’s Expert Enough.
Expertise doesn’t come from a piece of paper.
Life is richest when we become good at a lot of different things.
Know-it-all, Jill of All Trades, and Renaissance Man are compliments.
Pulling again from the speakers I was fortunate enough to witness at the 2012 World Domination Summit, this week’s manifesto comes courtesy the amazing Danielle LaPorte - A Credo for Making it Happen.
Don’t let perfection become procrastination. DO IT NOW.
Launch + Learn. Everything is progress.
The universe is always expanding, and that includes YOU.
All hail the manifesto!
Maybe it’s the typeface, or the layout. Or the bite-sized inspiration these one-pagers bring. Whatever the reason, and despite Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels’ imprint on the term, ‘manifestos’ have always stirred something in my soul and pulled me in. I tag them, bookmark them, print them, tack ‘em up and use them as visual reminders in my office.
So, why not start aggregating the ones I love here?
As mentioned in my New Year’s ‘Seed Sower’ post, I’m a big Brene Brown fan. So who better to kick off this manifesto binge! Here’s Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly Leadership Manifesto
We are hard-wired for connection, curiosity, and engagement.
We crave purpose, and have a deep desire to create and contribute.
Jess Flynn calls herself an ‘accidental entrepreneur’, embarking on her journey to … more
