How to create your own manifesto for life: Step 1. Involve the kids

This week, the kids, Steven and I started creating our family manifesto, firstly by asking the kids what they think their life will be like when they’re grown up.

As I’ve said here before, I really want to find out how to support the kids to be happy and successful (in whatever they choose) as they grow up and to develop the traits, attitudes, outlook etc that will put them in the best position when it comes to supporting themselves in the future.  I had started writing an ebook on this for my 30 day challenge but got a bit bored with just writing.  I wanted to do something a bit more hands-on and so hope that through creating a manifesto instead

Manifestos for life – some inspiration for what’s really important

“This is your life. Do what you want and do it often.
If you don’t like something, change it.
If you don’t like your job, quit.
If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over-analysing, life is simple.
All emotions are beautiful.
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Life is simple.
Open your heart, mind and arms to new things and people, we are united in our differences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.
Life is short, live your dream and wear your passion.”

― Holstee Manifesto, The Wedding Day

Sounds simple right? On paper, yes, but we all know how difficult it is to live and breathe words like these. We know what’s right for us but we don’t always (if ever) do all of those things. Life somehow gets in the way.

Part of the reason I signed up for the 30 day challenge with Screw Work, Let’s Play is because I wanted to give myself the space (with a deadline and 250 people to hold me to account) to find out what it is that I’m trying to achieve through this blog.

I’ve only been doing it for a week and have changed my challenge twice. I see this as a good sign though. I’ve being “doing” stuff, testing it out and then monitoring my responses. And what I’ve found is that I am still very much at the beginning of this journey, trying to figure out how I can support my kids to be ready for an amazing future (while enjoying the ride). In the process, I want to be a good role model for them by trying it out for myself – to show them it can be done at whatever stage you are in life.

Words are powerful in this journey.  I have come across a number of Manifestos for Life that I want to print out (if I ever get my printer working) and put up all over the house! I’ve included my favourite quote from each of them. They are well worth a wee look:

– Live your Legend’s The Creed of Living Legends– “Realise Freedom is a state of mind”
– Catharina Bruns, (a German-born designer and illustrator) of Work Is Not A Job. – “When you do what you love every day, if you get up and you’re excited about what you do, it’s good for everyone”
– Do What You Love For Life – “Because magic happens when we follow our dreams” 
– Passion for a Living – “Live now” (I don’t think I’ve very good at this so it has gone on the list)

Go on – have a look and get some inspiration in your lives!  Thinking back on inspirational advice I’ve had over the years that has stayed with me, I remembered Baz Luhrmann’s Sunscreen.  This has the best advice in it and I was even more excited when I found out that it was a woman, Mary Schmich, an American columnist for the Chicago Tribunal, who wrote it.  I think I might stick it on a loop as the kids grow up.  The link is to a video but if you’re short on time, you can find the lyrics here.

But the most iconic advice I ever got (and which I have only just started to follow) was from the kid’s TV programme “Why Don’t You” who suggested quite forcibly that you shouldn’t waste your life watching the programme you should “Switch off the television set and go out and do something less boring instead”.  I found this on YouTube which made me feel old but brought back very happy memories of the school holidays (it also includes a “short public information film” about stranger danger – I totally remember this!)

So the kids and I are going to write our very own manifesto about what we think is important for us in this journey and what we are trying to achieve. I have no idea how we’re going to do this as it’s difficult to explain to a 6 and 4 year old but we’re going to have a go and hopefully have a lot of fun in the process.  I can’t wait to hear what they’ve got to say.

If you know of any other amazing Manifestos or pearls of wisdom to inspire us along the way, please leave a comment below.   

The 30 Day Challenge – developing my new business idea in 30 days while staying sane

I am super-excited today as I am about to embark on a 30 day challenge with Screw Work, Let’s Play. The idea behind it is that we all have things we’d like to accomplish but never quite get round to doing anything about them – life gets in the way. I’ve been feeling a bit stuck about where I go from here and so I’m hoping that this will get me going again and hold me accountable to actually producing something by 30 November.

It will be a good test of “when the going gets tough” too as November is going to be horrendously busy. Here’s my high level To-Do list:
• Deliver a huge project at work by the end of the month
• Remember to enrol Jude in primary school (already?!)