Do the damn thing!
Here’s your nudge to just do it. Whatever it is. Go! Start now!
Earlier this month, I got to do something I’ve always wanted to do - co-host a “vernissage” (ie, exhibit opening) alongside one of my fav collaborators Elizabeth Lane.
"Future Stories of Community” was an interactive exhibit stemming from Elizabeth's OCAD University research in which she investigated the intersection of community and digital technology, but 20 years into the future. Elizabeth produced a 100-page thesis report on the topic, as part of a requirement to graduate from the masters program. She could have stopped there, but given that she spent 10 months working on it, with a broken back at one point, she wanted to bring the thing to life. Allow a broader audience into her head, and then invite them to reflect on their own thoughts, worldviews, and questions about communities of today and tomorrow.
Over 120 people were in attendance and offered their musings to one another, and of course, to the Giant Pink Sticky Board.
New friends were introduced to old friends. Folks from the tech world were chatting up folks in the community design space. Strangers strolled in from the street and were welcomed with a glass of wine and focaccia! Two people were even kicked out at the end of the evening, their eyes so locked in conversation that they didn’t realize we were turning out the lights. We saw a Connection Card in one of their hands and asked them if they knew each other. No. They just met that night and ended up talking for an hour and a half.
In a capitalist-world, we might consider this event a failure in that it was self-funded, free, and open to the public. But in an artist-world, it was a huge success. Reminds me a bit of the Flourishing Business Model Canvas. It is basically a Business Model Canvas (BMC) but evolved to meet the needs of the 21st century, integrating social benefits, environmental regeneration, and financial viability. I learned a little bit about the Flourishing BMC at OCAD U during my Masters in Strategic Foresight and Innovation, and I want to start using it more both personally and professionally.
Knowing this, we might say the exhibit was a flourishing success. Key takeaway here is that there is so much value that comes from creation. To put something out there and have people that you know (and don’t know) react to it. Further, creation fuels more creation. For those who stopped by - the exhibit served as inspiration, a chance to step outside of their usual social circles, and perhaps even challenged them to reimagine a brighter future. For Elizabeth and I - you’d think we would be tired coming out of this exhibit (well, a little bit, not going to lie) but we are so fired up to create other things. Heck yeah! Feels great! So, go! Put it out there! Whatever it is! Create!
Question for you:
What’s stopping you from just going for it?
Do the damn thing!
