We’re always asking people what they believe about what they do. It’s a sickness we have. The part where they squirm around in incoherence? That’s just a bonus.
Whether you’re writing a book, creating a film, or making a product that’s going to solve the world’s problems, knowing what you believe about it makes everything clearer. You know what to write about on your blog. You know how to talk about your work the next time someone asks you, “What do you do?” You can make decisions with a quickness, because you know exactly what’s going to take you in the right direction.
For this film, the original idea was to ask people what they believed, and then cut them off after 10 seconds. Then five. Then two. But we thought that might turn into a bad version of MTV’s “Boiling Points” (never heard of it? Lucky you.). We decided we’re not into getting punched in the face.
So instead, we turned the camera on ourselves. And this is what we found.
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As per usual, we’ll be actively responding to comments all day today. Ask questions, charge us with blasphemy (nicely), or send us virtual toast. But what I’d really like to know is, what does your nation believe and stand for?
Oh, and if you’re not on the email list, here’s another perspective on clarity that I discovered this weekend: http://eepurl.com/nu1G5
Love it! I’m really good at the pauses and stammering part
Haha…me too Lisa.
Love it! Um… well… hmmmm… my nation believes that the most interesting and honest stories, the ones that cause people to stop and breathe and question their expectations, grow from the space created from the overlap between languages.
Between languages? Can you give an example of an honest story that happens that way? I’m fascinated.
Good question. I’m an American living in Chile, by way of four years in China. The other day I was in a meeting with a bunch of Chilean women, who mentioned three important aspects of any professional: “saber, saber hacer, saber ser.” This means “to know, to know how to do, to know how to be.” I knew what she was talking about, but my American brain saw these words scribbled on the big pieces of paper taped to the walls and came up with a more complicated story in my head that saw the word “saber” like a light saber, and immediately saw power and light and those Star Wars wands in her words. And felt like these three forms of knowledge create light and perhaps special power. Maybe this is way too abstract and random. But I believe that my nation sees these kind of stories in otherwise ordinary words, informed by experiences with several languages.
That’s so cool, Leslie. I went to the World Domination Summit this weekend and there was a lot of discussion about travel and shared experiences between cultures. I like the idea of connecting to someone in a way that goes beyond culture and “you’re different from me; therefore, I need to protect myself from you.”
Love it! I filled out a survey today about raising kids with a global mindset (I don’t have kids, but the writer is a friend) and I found myself surprised at the emphasis on diversity and difference. I think it is as or more important to look at what people have in common in different places and cultures and such. I think building connections is more important than emphasizing differences, but a subtle understanding of differences is important for building connections. I’m interested in building a nation around these contradicting ideas
And also, I have a big old American brain myself so I totally get the light saber thing.
Oh man. This is tough.
Oh come on, Cali. You can do eeet. Whatever you believe, I bet it rhymes with gator.
TATER. I believe in gator taters.
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Great video, I enjoyed it very much. I believe that our beliefs can only ever be expressed fully through our actions. Ideas on the other hand I prefer, they are more maleable and can change over time, they are also less dangerous.
As a mentor I especially enjoyed Julianne’s clip, I have always seen mentoring as creating a space that makes another feel safe to be who only they can uniquely be. But I think she hit on a truth with the thought about sharing our failures, perhaps mentoring is a way in which we pass down the lessons we learn so that others do not have to learn them for themselves? Yet I feel those that learn the most are often those who take things to heart.
That’s good stuff, Chris. I think beliefs can change over time; they must. We never have all the information we’ll ever have. But you’re right — it’s hard to know what we believe unless we look at what we do.
Jules inspires me when it comes to mentorship, too. I’ve had unofficial mentors in my life, but I’ve never gotten vulnerable enough to ask someone to mentor me. It just might be my next step.
This was so interesting! It’s very easy to go through the day to day, knowing we believe in something, but not being able to fully articulate why or what it is. I’m in the process of “nation building” over at http://www.givingtable.org. I believe everyone can be a philanthropist, and everyone wants to feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. At The Giving Table, I promote doing good with food. My goal is to enable people to think beyond their own kitchens and really get involved with changing the food system. Thanks for all the inspiration! I love what you’re doing and have been enjoying following along.
Oh my gosh, Nicole. I LOVE this. Thank you so much for sharing. My lovely friend Alicia Caine was sharing a post about fake olive oil on Facebook (http://www.foodrenegade.com/your-extravirgin-olive-oil-fake/), and she mentioned that you can’t trust anyone when it comes to food anymore. It is so hard for the average person to understand the origins and the processes of the food they’re purchasing.
It’s wonderful that you’re doing something about it. Thank you!
good good good! just found you and plan to follow along as I create my own nation~
[...] is freedom in knowing what you believe. When you say your beliefs with conviction, bind them to who you are, and make them your nation’s [...]
I love this. I’m so glad I found you!
My nation at actionablebooks.com believes that our education system is woefully outdated when it comes to equipping professionals with the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to thrive in the 21st century. We believe in the importance of openness and passionate engagement in the workplace, and that the role of the leader is to clearly identify the goal and then get out of the way. We believe that everything you need to know can be found in a book, and can be brought to life through conversation. Above all, we believe that ideas are only valuable when applied.
Oh my GOSH! Books! And action! My two most favorite things in the world…Dan, I salute you *and* your nation.