Think Radically.

Hello everyone – this is post 1 of 2 dedicated to some of the ideals I’ve internalized from observing the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of the holiday.  Read it, think about it, agree or disagree with me and then share your thoughts below.

A few days ago I was having a conversation with a friend at my job about our future career plans in our fields of work.  She said something that has stuck with me since our conversation that I’d like to let you all in on.  To sum it up (all paraphrased)…

Me: Well I’m glad you’re doing those things.  Sounds like you have some lofty goals.  I mean, I’m not trying to change the world through my work – my job is just a job for me.

Her: Well I am.

Me: You are what?

Her: Trying to change the world with my design skills.  My work has to mean something to the world for me.

The actual words of the conversation differed a little bit – I’m sure – but the content was along those lines.  I’m not ashamed to admit that, while I enjoy my job, I am doing that job because it feeds me.  It’s a job.  I think tons of people fall into that boat.  But I was blown away at how confidently she proclaimed that she sought to change the world through her work — even if it was artistic.

She’s not the first person to tell me something like that either.  Coincidentally enough, another designer (of a different type – but still a designer) uttered similar words to me through an e-mail a few months before when she was talking to me about even taking a position at the company I work at (for the record – she took the job… HR should give me something for that – haha!).

Beginning to see a pattern – I then went on to ask someone else who worked in a creative field if they intended to use their skills to change the world, to which they responded…

… Not necessarily the world – but I would like to alter perceptions.

Then they went on to talk about how changing the world seemed too lofty, idealistic, naïve, and unrealistic (these were words that person used – not yours truly)… We both pointed out that maybe the late Steve Jobs has a lot to do with so many design centered folks wanting to change the world because of how he lived his life and pushed design into every element of his work.  His impact on this world is undeniable.  Not calling the man Jesus or anything – but think about it.

Well — Then I countered with something that will probably impact the rest of my days.  I asked…

When was the last time a “realistic” person changed the world?

That’s a serious question.  When?  You hear about “Enthralling Visionaries,” “Prolific Prophets of Change,” “Captivating Rebels/Radicals”… but you never hear about “Passionate Realists” at all.  There has to be a reason for that.

Anyone who has changed the world has been deemed crazy, impractical, an idiot, a radical, insane, etc.  You name it – they’ve probably been labeled it by their peers.  But their radical thinking changed the world we live in.  All radical thinkers don’t have the best of intentions – but even the ones who do have good things in mind are Radicals all the same.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (the man whose eyes are used as this post’ header image) was a radical thinker in his day.  He didn’t short change his vision by thinking about how realistic things seemed – he just marched on (no pun intended) with his radical way of thinking.  That train of thought eventually won folks over and made the world a better place.

So I leave you with this.  Whatever it is that you are doing… If it is morally sound for the most part — don’t ever stop trying to change the world.  Be a Radical when it comes to your Business Goals.  Believe that your product or service can do something for the greater good beyond just fattening your pockets and you may accomplish incredible things in your lifetime with the relationships that you’ll form.

I spoke with one last person about this subject just yesterday…

Me: You know – it really wouldn’t be that bad of a thing if there were a generation of people seriously trying to make the world a better place would it?

Him: Na.  Na I don’t think so at all…

And that’s what I leave you with to simmer on.

What do you think?  Do you feel like the world needs more radical thinkers right now – or has the Age of Realists taken over?  What would you label yourself as (more radical or realistic)?  Which would you prefer to be and why?  There are no wrong answers here.  Share your thoughts in the Comment Section below.

Peace and thanks for reading.