My wife lies to people. When they ask me what I do for a living, she either dodges the question or spits out a simplified answer. “He makes websites and graphics.”
She doesn’t mean to lie. She just doesn’t want to take the time and explain what I do. Because, frankly, I’m not even sure what it is that I do. I curate content. But what does that even mean? I’m constantly wrestling with explaining what it is I actually do. What real use am I to the world?
I believe wholeheartedly in what I do, I just don’t quite know how to explain what it is. And you know what? I think that’s a good thing.
I have a friend wrestling with the same sort of thing for his church creative team. They have a mission statement. But to be honest, it isn’t very good. Sure, it says what they do, but it just doesn’t sound very heroic. It sounds oversimplified and semi-trite. He tells me how his team is always trying to reword that dang mission statement. “What if we said it this way? What if we said it that way?” It never fully captures what it is they’re supposed to do. And yes, that’s a good thing.
Because here’s what a great mission statement really is. It’s a flowery sentence that sits on your wall. You glance at it every now and then. But you ignore it completely when the rubber hits the road. When things get tough you forget all about it.
But when your mission statement sucks, it nags at you. It begs to be made right. And your constant struggle to make it right keeps you abiding by its principles. You’re constantly redefining and refining who you are. And that’s a very good thing.
So ya, maybe I don’t really know what it is that I do. But I’m just fine with that. Though it sure makes for some confusing conversations when I meet new people.
I like to title myself as a digital communicator.
I tell people I am the director of communications for our church – that seems to satisfy most people and then like any other job if they want more info I’ll go into detail what I use to communicate and what I’m communicating.
I like to title myself as a digital communicator.
I tell people I am the director of communications for our church – that seems to satisfy most people and then like any other job if they want more info I’ll go into detail what I use to communicate and what I’m communicating.
You are definitely on my street with this post Jonathan. Lately, when people ask me what I do or what my blog is about, I try to keep it at a one sentence minimum.
I’m thinking “cartoon consultant” or “cartoon analyst!”
Lately, I’ve been cleaning up my blog a bit to make it more “focused” to fit the goal or mission.
You are definitely on my street with this post Jonathan. Lately, when people ask me what I do or what my blog is about, I try to keep it at a one sentence minimum.
I’m thinking “cartoon consultant” or “cartoon analyst!”
Lately, I’ve been cleaning up my blog a bit to make it more “focused” to fit the goal or mission.
Everyday, I wake up wondering if I even know what I’m talking about on my blog. Some people would say I’m still trying to find “my voice,” but in all reality, I don’t want one-voice. I just want to write about my passions.
As long as our Creator rejoices in our movements, even online, I can’t see Him not blessing our endeavors. 😉
Everyday, I wake up wondering if I even know what I’m talking about on my blog. Some people would say I’m still trying to find “my voice,” but in all reality, I don’t want one-voice. I just want to write about my passions.
As long as our Creator rejoices in our movements, even online, I can’t see Him not blessing our endeavors. 😉
I have a thought for u…
Next time some1 asks u what do u do for a living simply reply…. “I write history” … “i literally write history”
Immagine all those beautiful moments captured by a cam… but no one can see. Instead ur job is keeping records and making them accessible to the public…
Basically ur the “chief editor for a magazine.. an online magazine”…. how’s that for a change?
I have a thought for u…
Next time some1 asks u what do u do for a living simply reply…. “I write history” … “i literally write history”
Immagine all those beautiful moments captured by a cam… but no one can see. Instead ur job is keeping records and making them accessible to the public…
Basically ur the “chief editor for a magazine.. an online magazine”…. how’s that for a change?
I’m smack in the middle of this. I just took a position with the title…Communications and Assistant Creative Arts Leader at a church. It’s my first in ministry, I was in advertising and volunteering at the church.
So I have MANY non-Christian friends and family always asking what I do. I answer slowly and carefully. But when my Christian friends ask, I feel like I have to verbally justify what it is I do during the week in preparation for services each week. I know I really shouldn’t feel that way, but it’s hard for me to put to paper what exactly I do. Mission statement mayhem…
I’m smack in the middle of this. I just took a position with the title…Communications and Assistant Creative Arts Leader at a church. It’s my first in ministry, I was in advertising and volunteering at the church.
So I have MANY non-Christian friends and family always asking what I do. I answer slowly and carefully. But when my Christian friends ask, I feel like I have to verbally justify what it is I do during the week in preparation for services each week. I know I really shouldn’t feel that way, but it’s hard for me to put to paper what exactly I do. Mission statement mayhem…