Welcome to the first in an unfolding and to-be-developed series of posts, creating The Manifesto For New Work Pioneers. To kick off, I want to share three things:
- My intention in writing The Manifesto
- Some thoughts on how this process will run
- Article headings that could shape some meaningful draft content and lead to some meaty conversation.
If this is the first time you’ve visited and are wondering what on earth all of this is about, read Why Pushing Through Is Not Always The Way To Get Ahead, to get caught up on the conversation.
My intention
I want, through this process, to create words, give voice, and bring collective energy to a phenomenon of our time.
It’s the one where gutsy, courageous professionals are daring NOT to be defined by career norms, and are instead choosing to create their very own relationship with work. Whatever “work” looks like to them.
I’m very aware of the organisational and institutional implications of this trend. AND my focus is on describing, assisting and enabling the vibrant idiosyncrasies of the very real individuals who are awake to this challenge.
I’m choosing to write this in an open way because that feels to be in keeping with the spirit of what’s required here. As CV Harquail eloquently said in her last comment:
“some manifestos are starting to feel ‘canned’. While I love the ChangeThis site and mission, and often find kindred souls and ideas there, I also sometimes feel like it’s more soapbox, less action. At worst, those manifestos are exhortations, not conversations that move us forward. All the more reason to see how you might transform the manifesto writing process as a community, building one.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
For me – and I guess for many of you – this is an experiment in not being defined by the implicit manifesto writing rules and daring to do something different. So, this process itself parallels what we’re talking about. Hence, it’s possible that there are some personal development insights ahead for all of us.
I hope so!
How’re we going do this?
What seems to have got the thumbs up from you is the idea that I post some thoughts in a blog-like way and those spark conversation through the comments section. Thanks to Eleanor “Give a Brick” Edwards, I now have threaded comments so you can all comment on one another’s comments too. When we’re conversationed out, I synthesise new thoughts and ideas that have emerged into the original post – or, indeed, completely re-write it as necessary! The ultimate aim is to create a collection of posts that will be developed into a PDF document for free download from this site.
A subsequent thought I had was to offer to reference all contributors in a separate section for that purpose. Which would allow you some recognition of your involvement, assuming you were happy with that?
Separately, let me know of anything else you need or want that would enable you to play your best part in the production process.
The Shape Of Things To Come?
So, here are the conversation points around which I’ve drafted headlines and written a little “abstract” of the content I imagine could go with them.
As you read this, I would ask you to do so with these questions in mind:
- What really resonates for you here?
- What’s not cutting it for you?
- What’s missing, and how would you suggest we add it?
Call To Action
An inspiring introduction, talking about who New Work Pioneers are; what in the world, and in their own lives are prompting them to take an approach to work that’s outside of what has, till now, been considered the “norm”; and why now offers a brilliant opportunity for seizing the moment to consciously design their own work path.
The New Work Pioneer’s Holy Grail
A post that talks in detail about the biggest challenge for New Work Pioneers: acknowledging that they are choosing the path of the individual, and not the path of the herd; that they and they alone are in charge of their own destinies. What blinkers do they have to remove in order to see things this way? What fundamental principles and practices do they need to adopt to help them do so? How they empower themselves to think of their “deviance” in a positive way.
The Success Mindset of New Work Pioneers (and How To Cultivate It)
How New Work Pioneers are redefining for themselves what “success” looks and feels like, away from being about extrinsic things like big job titles, promotions, bonuses, corner offices, big salaries, and all the things that go with those things, towards being about achieving personal goals, maintaining good relationships with partners, friends, family. The New Work Pioneer’s relationship with money and wealth. The challenges of embracing this mindset in a world that values all things external. The shifts needed to bring this mindset alive for oneself and how to make them happen.
How New Work Pioneers Are Re-Writing The Old Career Rules
The inventiveness and genius that New Work Pioneers are using to really make work work for them. How they’re realising the solution to their initial career discomfort is not a ready-made one, but one for which they alone hold the answer. How, through an evolving understanding of themselve, their values and their passions, they are getting creative about carving out unique ways to honour that in their own lives. How they are finding ways to live within the “As Is” work model, but to do so on their terms.
The Hallmark Challenges Of New Work Pioneers (and How To Overcome Them)
An article that confronts the realities of the struggles that New Work Pioneers face in their quest to create a working life that really jives for them. The challenges of cutting free from all the internal and external beliefs and limitations that keep them from wholly manifesting the best of themselves. The challenges of living outside the norm, but being understood and being accepted by the mainstream. How these challenges can be reframed in ways that allow them to be overcome.
Here’s How New Work Pioneers Navigate Their Journeys
Recognising that the process of New Work Pioneers is not a wholly logical one, but one that also has an emotional, emergent aspect, that takes time to be wholly worked through and understood. The practices, tools and resources New Work Pioneers can use to positively support them through their journeys.
Okay, guys, so this is my starter for ten. My thinking from here is that, given your feedback on what I’ve written today, I’ll take one of these headings each Friday over the next weeks and we’ll work them through together.
What do you think? Over to you now – let the conversation begin!
Related posts:
Ooooh Christine I’m so excited for you and this project!
Please let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do to help.
I’m not sure exactly what kind of conversation/feedback you want here….but these topics sounds great to me!
The other two things that came up for me when reading were
1. Joy!!! There is a lot of reference to challenge in these topics, but I feel so much joy about taking this path with my life, and I want to communicate about that joy with others and invite them into this way of doing work. So just a thought here about balancing the focus on challenge and the hard stuff with content about the many gifts, the sweetness, the move-you-to-tears meaningfulness of this path, etc.
2. The phrase “rites of passage” came to mind, or “turning points” or “milestone moments” or something like that. I know on my journey there have been these marker moments: key moments from my past that were about turning away from my unique path and following the herd, key moments in facing the truth about how that was not working for my little heart, a period of searching and exploration, key decision moments, and key path-laying moments as I pursued my a new work career.
I’m curious if others have had a similar trajectory in their journey- are there common “rite of passage” moments for new work pioneers? what would those moments be?
Those are my thoughts this morning. Again, I’m excited for you and am sending you a big “hurray!” and “go to it!”
Tara
.-= Tara Mohr´s last blog ..Your Five Beautiful Things =-.
Awesome, Tara, and thanks for getting the ball rolling here. I really appreciate your challenge and input.
1. You’re so right about joy. Although, like you, I have moments of “move-you-to-tears” happiness, I have for some reason not given the subject space yet. I think something about those moments of ecstasy and supreme well-being need to be in there and celebrated too. At the end of the day, it’s those raw emotions of life that make it so beautiful.
2. “Rites of passage” is a good one too. I think there’s a myth that this journey has one pivotal moment or experience that provokes it and then a new “normal” emerges. For me and for people I work with – and from your experience too – there are stages in the process. I think that too is a great thing to add. I also wonder how other people would describe this?
Thanks for sending your lovely energy. I’m delighted you’re onboard for the conversation!
Twitter: HeavenandEl
Hi Christine,
Thanks for the mention too. Glad to have been able to help in some small way 
For some reason my usually trusty email RSS feed is playing up and I didn’t get a nod to remind me you were starting this today. Thankfully though, it’s my son’s birthday tomorrow so I knew you were starting the day before that
The section that most resonated with me was the Holy Grail. I suspect it ties in with the joy Tara mentioned because without these principles in place, it can be hard to appreciate the joy. If you could include a section of principles for New Work Pioneers who find themselves living with a stuck-in-a-rut-old-work type person, that would be very cool too
I’m really looking forward to seeing how you develop this. The abstracts suggest it’s going to be very fine
.-= Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..Friday Friends: Blogging 3D style with a difference #ff @TylinaVespart =-.
Hi Eleanor,
I suspect the RSS feed problem is mine – my WordPress was playing up and I think I missed the window during which time it gets collected for notification
Still, I’m delighted you remembered anyway and have swung by.
Absolutely hear what you say about the Holy Grail stuff and joy. When you suggest adding a bit about principles to include for people who find themselves living with a stuck-in-a-rut old-work type person, do you mean, for example, as their partner; someone who doesn’t understand the choices they’re making and the journey they’re taking? Let me know just for clarification. In any case, I’d be delighted to write something about that. It’s a very, very real challenge.
Thanks again for the threaded comments support and for continuing to be here!
Twitter: HeavenandEl
Morning Christine
RE: old work people, yep, you got my thoughts spot on. My husband is a policeman and expects to be in his job for the full thirty years even though he’s not very happy there much of the time. I talk about alternatives but the system has got him caught.
As for threaded comments, glad I mentioned it now. It’s working very nicely. And of course I’m here. I’m looking forward to seeing how you develop things
.-= Eleanor Edwards´s last blog ..A revelation, a wishlist and a cry for help =-.
Thanks, Eleanor. Just wanted to check that out. I’m very happy to talk about it. I’ve started to make little notes for each post now and have included it! I am really looking forward to your perspective on all of the manifesto and this in particular as you’ve raised it.
Also, FYI, there’s a guest post coming up next Monday that’s going to touch on it too. Stay posted!
Twitter: eduardsays
I have the feeling for a couple of years now that a new and different generation of career people is emerging. You managed to put your finger on what this phenomena is all about. I feel sorry for those who are still in the old way of working, living, and have no idea what’s going on around them.
Anyway, looking forward to your posts
.-= Eduard @ People Skills Decoded´s last blog ..How having a life can improve your people skills =-.
Good to see you, Eduard!
I too feel sorry for those who are still “asleep”. The great news is that there’s a big awakening taking place and that we’re part of it!
Thanks again
Twitter: leesshizzle
So delighted…’moved to joy’ to have popped in today and caught this on the onset.
First I have to say I was feeling left out for the first few paragraphs..(don’t you dare laugh) but I kept reading New “Y”ork pioneers at the beginning instead of New Work. I was like wow why doesn’t she include all or why does it have to be New York? I know silly me.. had to tell ya though.
Anyhoo this is exciting to me Christine. Such a wonderful idea. I foresee some really neat growth coming on by participating. Thanks
I’m a little like Tara about what you might be looking for for feedback today. However the Holy Grail ‘choosing our own path’ and “What fundamental principles and practices do they need to adopt to help them do so? How they empower themselves to think of their “deviance” in a positive way.” This really resonates with me. I for a lot of years felt that my work my bum off for someone else’s benefit was a sad thing for me. I mean I am such a go getter on every JOB I’ve had always going above and beyond the call of duty. Not pounding my chest here just making note of the fact that that’s who I am. No matter how hard I tried to slow down and go with the flow of slackers etc.. I never could. By the end of the day I was always back to full speed ahead. Even when it wasn’t necessary.
So it always got too me as to why I continued to do this for the benefit of the one who sat in the nice comfy chair sipping coffee and dining on my efforts while I went home and struggled at the end of each day to make ends meet.
This I vowed to stop even if it meant I was homeless and poor. I knew that I had to have the courage to find my destiny and allow my efforts to produce for me instead of the ATT/Boeing/(enter yours here) whoever Big guys. I know I can do it. My past is proof it’s just developing the fundamental practices or adopting the principles I need to help me succeed. This is where I think the whole notion of this journey will help me. Empower me y’all. Let’s do this together yet separately so to speak. Being an individual and not feeling ‘duh, why is he doing that, that he is doing’ I get from others is so yesterday. They need to catch up huh? I feel the energy and like I said I foresee some tremendous growth coming on from this. Sorry so long but I wanted you to know as well as others my thinking. I look forward to this challenge in a positive way.
Lee
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..We are Alike, We are not different..Social Media is proving this..Powerful =-.
Sorry, Lee, I can’t pretend to have kept a straight face in reading about the New “Y”ork bit. Priceless!
Seriously, though, I’m glad that you’re here and are excited by this venture, and it’s great to get your feedback about what resonates with you. I really hope that you get something from being part of the process.
It took me years to discover principles and practices that work for me, and I really want to share that in a way that doesn’t assume that my challenges will be yours or anyone else’s because we are all different. But there are some big themes I can share that I’ve learned along that way, and indeed appear to work when I share them with others, that I would love to talk about. I also find that, while some people feel immediately liberated and empowered by choosing to find their own path, others carry a stigma – even unconsciously – about being some kind of outsider. The system can’t be wrong: it must be them. Breaking that spell is an important one that your comment here reminds me I want to write about.
Thank you for bringing your energy. Looking forward to more!
Take care
Twitter: workengagement
Christine
I am very impressed with your aspiration to develop these ideas as a shared experience. For me, that goes to the heart of the matter. It is critical for each individual to develop a vibrant relationships with work. Eventually–and probably soon–a changed relationship with work will prompt new relationships with lots of other people at work. So it fits well to develop these ideas with others.
An important piece is the process of opening up to possibilities. Whether people limit their options with work because they’re timid or lack imagination, something needs to happen to allow other possibilities to get into the mix.
All the best,
Michael
http://www.workengagement.com
Michael, first my heartfelt apologies – your comment for some bizarre reason went into my spam folder and I’ve only just retrieved it now! But thank goodness I looked!
Your comment is rich, and I value your endorsement of the way I’m aspiring to share things here. Your reflection of relationship being a key aspect of work change is a vital one. I had not seen the parallel between it and what I’m doing. But, of course, you’re spot on.
The process of opening up possibilities? Yup, that’s a central thing in all of this, isn’t it? In my experience, I – and others – have gone through periods of experimentation, whether that’s as a thinking/reflective process or an experiential one or a bit of both. There’s some really useful stuff that can be written about, shared and discussed around all of that. That’s definitely something I need to additionally include.
Thanks again!
Twitter: IAC_Heather
I think you have a great list of topics here. All of them will be generate discussions. I look forward to reading this Friday series.
I love Tara’s contributions. Joy is something that is not discussed as much, but is an integral part of the New Work Pioneers. I mean, we wouldn’t be pursuing this type of work if it didn’t provide joy on some level.
.-= Heather Villa´s last blog ..Idea of the week =-.
Thanks, Heather. Glad the topics seem on the whole to jive with you.
I’m completely getting the message about joy. Can’t imagine how I overlooked it! Still that was the point of putting stuff out there. As I read your comment now, I’m kind of thinking that this Friday might be around that subject. After all, as you say, it’s kind of the why we do it. So, I think bringing the positive benefits of this lifestyle choice right into the equation up front might be the way to go.
Really appreciate your candor, Heather!
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Hi Christine
I look forward to the conversation you are generating here. It is really cool to be amongst like minded people and it is awesome that you are trying something different here.
Jen
Thanks, Jen. As you know, I really value your energy and perspective, so it’s great to have you here.
Chrissy:
The work we do should not be a synonym for drudgery. We should not find ourselves in a position where we have to burn the candle at both ends just to make a living. We also need to create a life.
Our lifestyle choices are important too. We can have, for example, a great standard of living, and yet a lousy quality of life. There are many people out there who climbed the corporate ladder–and achieved the pinnacles of success–only to find their lives were less than satisfactory. ‘Money can’t buy me love,” sang the Beatles.
Throwing money at your problems won’t make your issues magically disappear. The work we do should be an extension of who we are as human beings. Ideally, work should be an expression of love, an outpouring of our fondest emotions and nostalgic memories.
Many people discover themselves, for example, only after a life-time of frustration and resentment; they find joy based on the recollections from their childhood. And then they finally decide to pursue their true calling in life. That’s why your post resonated with me.
It is a departure from the norms of society.It is something new and original. It is based on the alignment of mind, body, and spirit like a yogic exercise AND finding a way to channelize that energy to make a living out of it. Thanks. I appreciate your contribution. And have a nice day. Cheers!
Archan:
Thanks for this. There’s huge truth in all of it. I particularly enjoyed your line: “we can have, for example, a great standard of living, and yet a lousy quality of life.” This is SO true. In fact, it’s like a motif of our time. People confuse having a good career with doing meaningful work and living a meaningful life.
Glad that it sounds as if you’ve been able to pursue something of your own calling, if a little later in life. I’m happy for you for that.
Take care.
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