man·i·fes·to:
a
written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its
issuer
So what exactly is a manifesto? I
hear you ask. I like to think of mine as my life anthem, the shortest little
story, telling the most about myself and my ethics. The backbone of my being
and the way I want to live. You can view mine here.
A manifesto is the magical point
where intention meets action and good things go flying out into the world as a
result. It is a declaration of what you stand for. It defines you. Writing one
can help to anchor your beliefs and clarify your intentions. At the same time a
manifesto can move something into being, it makes those thoughts you have
‘real’, affirming why these things matter to you. Most importantly a manifesto
is a great motivation tool because it holds you accountable and triggers
action.
So, if you are feeling fuzzy about a
particular area of life or you want to refocus and move forward, a manifesto is
the perfect starting point. Or maybe your manifesto could be a vessel to pass on advice.
Your manifesto can be on any topic
you choose, you might want to consider, family, work life, creativity, bravery,
your personal life, a hobby, a cause close to your heart, healthy living, New
Year intentions, anything you are passionate about. I have written both a
personal and a creative/business manifesto.
It is important to have a strong and
clear topic or theme, this will be the core that everything else is built upon.
Think about what you stand for, what you believe in, what you strive for, what
you know to be true. Maybe you are unsure at this point. Just start anyway, the
act of writing a manifesto will help these thoughts unfold and unravel
naturally.
The key to a great manifesto is to
keep your language simple but strong and your statements short and direct. This
is not a place for wishy-washyness. I feel that manifestos should steer clear
of negativity, as they are about initiating positive change, but that is just
my personal preference. Your manifesto must resonate with you.
The length of your manifesto is not
important; it could be a one liner, or a two-word manifesto. Although I would
recommend keeping it somewhere around the 10 – 20 statements mark.
The last and most important thing to
do with your manifesto is to make it visible. Plaster it everywhere! Stick it
to the fridge, or on your bedroom mirror, tuck it in the front page of your
journal or chalk it on your walls! Just make sure it is placed somewhere you
can see it everyday. You will be surprised by how soon you start considering
your statements in everything you do. Share it. I promise you other people will
love reading your manifesto (even if they don’t agree with it!)
Top tips:
- Keep each statement concise
- Don’t hold back
- Remember it is a declaration, so don’t just write a list of things you like - state why you would fight for these things
- Keep it real, gritty and bold
- Make it visible
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