Every now and then, it’s healthy to pause and reflect on the work that you want to do. I’m embarking on a set of exercises to re-think and focus, and am sharing it with you. Join in if you’d like and we can journey together.
EXERCISE 1: Who Are You?
What do you want to do? (Not your job, but your work, now, tomorrow, and in the future)
I want to use my skills in video to help changemakers maximize their impact and reach.
What do you want to change, and how do you want to change them?
I want to change how so many amazing people and organizations are changing their communities and doing remarkable work, and yet hardly anyone knows about it. They struggle to communicate the difference they are making, and find difficulty getting the support they need to remain sustainable.
I can change this in 3 ways:
- Educate the change makers – arm them with the video skills necessary to communicate their story effectively. Through in-person workshops and/or online courses.
- Educate the video makers – help nurture even more storytellers for good – help them hone their craft, and learn how to make this a viable career. Through in-person workshops and/or online courses.
- Tell their stories – make engaging documentaries to tell stories around social issues, then screen them far and wide to spur discussion, debate, and spark action
How much risk? (from 1 [a little] to 10 [bet everything]), how much are you willing to put at stake to make the change you seek?
8. I’ve already given up a stable job doing corporate training videos to plunge into doing the work above full-time. The only thing I prioritize above this is my family, who support and believe in me.
How much work are you willing to do to get there? Be specific about the tradeoffs.
I am willing to do the work 6 days a week.
This will require staying disciplined – building good habits of waking up early to jump-start the work each day, and making good food choices and staying active to ensure I am healthy enough to carry on long-term.
The tradeoffs are: no tv, less social time, investing my money back into the cause instead of blowing it on vacations, entertainment, or luxury items.
Does this project matter enough for the risk and the effort you’re putting into it?
Absolutely. I feel it is my calling.
Is it possible – has anyone with your resources ever pulled off anything like this?
Yes. While I am not aware of anyone who is doing the exact same thing I want to do in the way i want to do, I know many in the arts who are teaching while making amazing art.
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Shuling Yong 