Wait, what? We need to stay motivated on our passion projects? Yes! No matter how much we love what we’re doing, we get tired. Or we get distracted. Or both! In this 79-second video I share an essential tool for creatives…
Take a stab at it. What’s your ‘why’ statement? If you take action and share at least a draft of your why statement, I promise to give you some input! Go for it. You have nothing to lose, everything to gain. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
My personal mission is “to become a more healthy and whole person tomorrow that I am today and to help others do the same.” I write because I passionately want to encourage others to grow in their understanding of themselves, their relationships with others and their journey with God!
Well done, Tabitha! Or… My mission is to become more whole today to help others do the same.
Chad, thank you for your refreshingly short but powerful video. Here’s my why statement: I must pass on the truths which God has taught me, so that others may also have eternal life and experience the full riches of Christ.
I think it may need some tweaking?
Not bad, Rose! Or you could really zero in on serving others. For example: I want to help others experience eternal life and the full riches of Christ.
I want to convince hurting people that God cares and has answers when they’re hurting.
Love it! Succinct. Powerful.
I work for a school environment where all are respected and nurtured for who they already are.
Great, Mary! And to personalize it even more, maybe “I actively cultivate a school environment where all are respected for who they are and nurtured for who they are becoming.” You might play with that last bit, but a good stab for sure!!
Chad, thank you for your integrity, humility, obedience, and passion. You’re such a breath of fresh air among a sea of voices peddling success just for the sake of success. Your “79 seconds” video resulted in nearly 79 minutes of me wrestling out my “why” statement. And that was good.
16 years ago I wrote a devotional book that became a best-selling title for the publisher. It sold a quarter of a million copies and was followed by a sequel– a devotional journey through the Old Testament. The sequel sold well, but not as strong as the New Testament title (for reasons that readers prefer the NT in their Bibles over the OT).
That was 16 years ago. I am not a “one-and-done” author, but I have been lost in the murk and mire of building a platform and branding myself. “You’re the expert!” “Promote yourself!” “It’s about you–not what you write!” In the deepest part of my soul I rebelled. Shut down. Chose to sit on the sideline, because I believe it’s not about me! I would not play an arrogant and self-serving game of pretension that seemed to come with the territory of being a nationally published author.
But then I stumbled upon you, and I am coming back to life — crawling off the sideline. And I am thankful to the Lord for you, Chad.
So, nearly 79 minutes of wrestling caused me to ponder many things. I know God uses me to encourage others often through a wise or perceptive word to help them take their next steps in their walk with God. And I believe having a ministry is not having a platform, but simply being God’s person at God’s time in the life of another. Everyday is an opportunity to experience God’s grace; to see His story intersecting with ours; and to encourage others in their journey. So…… how to summarize? Here’s a stab I’ve taken at it. I would appreciate any feedback to help me sharpen and clarify it.
MY WHY: To enable people to see how their story and God’s story connects, so they might experience His grace, peace, and plan for their lives.
Jackie, wow, thanks for this thoughtful comment! I love your heart here, and your WHY statement is just wonderful. So succinct and purposeful. I can imagine you coming back to this again and again. And I hope do because your WHY is definitely worth pursuing!!
Thank you, Chad. So if I were to make this into a brand statement–perhaps a blurb under my name on a blog (I have yet to establish), should I condense it down a bit? Suggestions?
P.S. (And you are very welcome. I’m sure many others would agree that you are very much appreciated!) 🙂
Sometimes it works to use a why statement as a branding statement and sometimes it doesn’t. The reason is your why statement is really for you, and sometimes what resonates with us doesn’t resonate as much for our readers. My WHY statement is “I feel deeply called to help creative people do their best work.” That’s literally what got me up this morning. My blog tagline is “Helping you find your voice and do your art.” You can see the connection there, but they’re different. One is for me, the other is for my readers. I suppose my tag could be “Helping Creative People Do Their Best Work,” and that would be okay, but I like using the word “You” and I like the voice language, so I’m keeping it for now. Hope this helps!
That does help, Chad. Hmmmm….. not sure the best way to condense my WHY down for my brand. The second half of my why is the benefit from the first half of it. Would it be too vague if I merely used the first part as my brand, slightly changing the word from connect to intersect? I.E. Helping people see how their story and God’s story intersects
Stating it this way however offers no tangible benefit to the reader. Do I need a “so that….” ? I’m unsure how to summarize the second part so it isn’t too lengthy. Or if I even need to? Do you have a suggestion of what part of it would be most advantageous from a branding standpoint? Perhaps different wording that would encapsulate the idea of those 3 benefits?
I like the “you” in your brand; it feels very personal. Not sure if this would be advantageous or too “in your face” for my particular brand? I hope I’m not asking too much, but if you are able to give a little editorial suggestion for my brand statement, that would be such a blessing. (And if not, I understand.)
I’m passionate about discipleship, mentoring, equipping, and developing leaders
Love it, Trip, though the lack of parallelism there bothers the editor in me. But if it works for you, meaning if you can keep coming back to this as your motivational North Star, go for it!
I feel called to be a freelance writer and composer in order to help people know Him personally as merciful, loving, and powerful.
Awesome! One minor tweak perhaps: I write and compose to help people know Him personally as merciful, loving, and powerful.
With my New Blog I consistently reach people who need the benefit of my skills and experience.
Good! And why do they need your skills and experience? Of what benefit are they to the people you serve?
My passion (aside from writing) is a small mission my husband and I started about 9 years ago in Haiti. We serve 1500 meals to hungry kids every week, clothe the ones wearing rags and send almost 1000 to school that would never be able to go otherwise. We also look after over 20 abandoned elderly that are unable to care for themselves.
My motivation remains James 1:27 “Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….”
Despite financial, staffing, and cultural challenges, it remains what I believe is a call to be answered daily with a resounding “Yes, I’ll keep on”.
Wow, Heather. Thanks so much for writing in. I have visited Haiti and have a special love for Haitians. That dear, dear country. Would you happen to know Troy and Tara Livesay of Heartline Ministries? Love those guys.
Unrelated, I normally do not like to watch videos. Your promise of “79 seconds” motivated me to take the time to watch this one. And take notes. And think about and do the assignment. Now, if I could only work that fast 🙂
Ha! Thanks for tuning in! Appreciate it.
I want to provide resources for people that will help them in their personal growth (specifically, as teachers or in their walk with God).
Great! Or one way to punch it up might be. . . I equip teachers and people of faith on their journey of personal growth.
🙂 Thanks!
I will use my writing to encourage others & challenge them to growth. I want to enable women to claim God’s presence & promises in their lives.
Good one! Here’s a possible tweak to make it more succinct (for easier remembering): I write to help women experience God’s presence and claim His promises in their lives.
Yes very interesting I suppose my why statement is to wqrite about ym travels, althgough these days it is more or less about journeys I’ve undertaken locally and some of them I’ve written about before, so I try and add something new.
Great. Why do you write about your travels? Just to entertain or is there something else going on?