It used to be that only governments and political parties issued manifestos. These days it seems anyone can give a manifesto a go. I’ve come across some brilliant ones recently, from the wonderful Holstee manifesto, a sort of Desiderata for the 21st century to the much quirkier Cult of Done manifesto, which features the following:
“Pretending you know what you’re doing is almost the same as knowing what you are doing, so just accept that you know what you’re doing even if you don’t and do it.”
I think this is a great philosophy which can cut through procrastination and other forms of resistance and free you up to be creative. This wouldn’t be appropriate in every situation but in my experience “acting as if” is a powerful way of cutting through negative thinking and limiting self-beliefs.
If you said to me, “I’d really like to write a book but why would anyone want to read it?”
I would say, “Act as if you are an author. Just imagine how that would look. How would you feel? What would you be thinking? How would you carry yourself? If you’re struggling to imagine yourself as an author, then think of an author you really admire and imagine being them.”
Now, this is no guarantee that your book will be a bestseller, but if it makes the difference between you writing your book and not writing your book, then it’s got to be worthwhile.
But back to manifestos. The word manifesto is from the Latin manifestum – to make something evident and conspicuous, to bring it into form. It’s a declaration of intention – something that begins as an idea and is made manifest by announcing it publicly.
So perhaps we could all benefit with having a personal manifesto that we make public.
I thought I’d start as if I knew what I was doing, and the results can be seen in the Holstee-style image I’ve created (see picture) and in the list below.
1. Whatever you think, you are enough.
2. Listen to your heart, no matter what your head is saying.
3. If memory serves, it’s only to remind you of a story.
4. Don’t hold your breath, you might trap a feeling.
5. If work is a chore, turn it into a joy.
6. If you’re pursuing happiness, you’ll never catch it.
7. Don’t miss the thrill of being alive by watching movies in your head.
8. Love is who you really are.
9. Stop trying to make things happen and let it be.
10. Change the world by sharing your unique gifts.
11. Laugh at least 10 times a day.
It’s just a draft, of course, but then as the Cult of Done say, accept that everything is a draft. It helps to get it done.
For much more on creative manifestos, visit the brilliant curation of all things interesting that is Brain Pickings on www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/04/08/five-manifestos-for-life/
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