Here’s the one bit of advice I give to creators and changemakers all the time…
Whenever I think of the late poet Mary Oliver, I think of that quote: What is it you want to do with your one wild and precious life. I think of how a lot of her poetry evoked images of moving through life with a deep appreciation for one’s present surroundings and taking it all in. Like, she wasn’t kidding when she called it a precious life. She wanted all to understand what a gift it was.
Whenever I think of Thich Nhat Thanh, I think of mindfulness. Breathing deep and moving slow. I think of the way this deep inner peace can be something that extends outward and gives way to more peace on the earth.
Jane Goodall makes me think of a deep companionship and respect for nature. Bryce Harper makes me think of stepping up to the moment. bell hooks makes me think of being transformed by love.
Working on your CORE (message)
What can you say over and over again?
DEC 26
Here’s the one bit of advice I give to creators and changemakers all the time…
Whenever I think of the late poet Mary Oliver, I think of that quote: What is it you want to do with your one wild and precious life. I think of how a lot of her poetry evoked images of moving through life with a deep appreciation for one’s present surroundings and taking it all in. Like, she wasn’t kidding when she called it a precious life. She wanted all to understand what a gift it was.
Whenever I think of Thich Nhat Thanh, I think of mindfulness. Breathing deep and moving slow. I think of the way this deep inner peace can be something that extends outward and gives way to more peace on the earth.
Jane Goodall makes me think of a deep companionship and respect for nature. Bryce Harper makes me think of stepping up to the moment. bell hooks makes me think of being transformed by love.
All these people did so many things with their life. They certainly had more than one message to get out there. With the exception of Bryce Harper, all of them have written multiple books.
But in spite of how much they put out into the world, I can almost instantly think of the truth that each figure has brought to the surface. Truths I immediately associate with them.
People are deep and complex, but our brains are naturally reductive. People, organizations, and movements with an important message to get out there manage to work with this limitation, understanding that people naturally look for that one message you have to put out into the world. The thing you’d give your TED Talk on, if you will.
Core messages are at the core of the latest Creative Changemaker…
Of course I believe people’s lives are expansive and that in our closest circles, we won’t necessarily be remembered for ‘core messages,’ but rather core memories and moments. But when it comes to public persuasion, rhetoric, and mass communication, yeah, the core message thing is kind of the way to go.
This is why I’ve encouraged every organization I’ve worked with to really hone their core message. What is that one big bold statement you want to put out into the world? What big belief do you want to challenge people with? The most prominent social movements tend to be those that make a bold assertion right up front.
After I hype up the importance of a core message like that, though, it can be a little intimidating to figure out how to come up with one. But, there’s a fair chance you already have one. What is the ethos through which you carry out your mission?
If you’re confused by what that means, start with what’s clear. Describe the work you do. Do you plant trees? Campaign against mass incarceration? Promote literacy? That most likely comes easier.
Then ask why. Why do you plant trees? To create a better planet? Do you campaign against mass incarceration because it’s one of the main vehicles for perpetuating racial injustice?
The ‘why’ question turns out to be very important for this process. So much so that you can find value in asking it several times. There’s a popular idea in many creative circles of going five whys deep. Basically asking why to your own responses about five times will result in the discovery of a deeper truth.
What that might look like is an inciting incident. An experience or a memory you have that is so salient it’s created a new core philosophy for you. And that philosophy that undergirds everything you do, that just might be your core message.
Having a core message is helpful, because you can then work to ensure every bit of communication leads towards your core message. If you’re ever stuck in a challenging interview or public conversation, it gives you something to try and steer the conversation towards every time.
But of course, the core message is way more than your in-case-of-emergency statement. It’s your rally cry. It’s your why.
And it’s something that you believe could change the world, if enough people hear it and fully buy in to the idea.