His name is Wael Ghonim.
On January 25th he decided that something had to change. He didn’t want to lose weight, stop smoking, or get a promotion.
He wanted to earn a decent wage, express his opinions freely, and end the regime of a tyrant.
His Facebook page “We Are All Khaled Said” ignited a revolution. This could have been the last page Wael ever wrote but he had the courage to take a chance.
18 days later, thousands of protestors celebrated when the improbable happened.
Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s de-factor dictator, stepped down, and 80 million people were entrusted with liberty.
The pundits are debating how social media played a role in the Egyptian Revolution. However, I think the experts are missing the real lesson.
What You Say and Do Means Much More Than You Think
I’m fascinated by how one guy used one page to change his world. Knowing that his Facebook page could be his last – he took action and made a difference.
This brings up an interesting question…
What if your next 20 posts were your last?
How would this ultimatum change your blog’s topics?
Would you spend your 20 posts:
- Repeating someone else’s ideas?
- Tearing apart another’s work?
- Filling space to hit your 5 post a week quota?
- Selling just one more affiliate product?
Or would you to write something revolutionary?
Would you invest the time and take the risk to:
- Expose injustice and cruelty?
- Show your reader new ways to view and transform their world?
- Offer practical ways to build something that lasts (families, relationships, and businesses)?
- Share art that celebrates what it means to be human and free?
Here’s a thought…
Why don’t you brainstorm your last 20 posts. Take it seriously. Imagine if you had the power to spark a revolution (which you do)? Tell me what you’d write in the comments.
About Stanford
Hi Stanford,
Thank you for this provoking, powerful, inspiring post… I’m new here and glad I came to take a look. This week I will take action and work on a new design “that celebrates what it means to be human and free”.
All the best,
Sue
I would and will fill my posts with love and gratitude (as I believe I do now) and get down on my knees and kiss the earth goodbye. Love your blog. Signing up!
Look for an inspiration outside, go out and experience things that you have not done like travel to a place you have not been before. The different things we may do will broaden our knowledge and give us ideas like no other.
I truly believe I am starting a revolution, at least in the blogosphere. I’d like to change the face of blogging by empowering others to challenge what they’ve been brought up to believe is the “right” way to do things.
This is a thought-provoking piece, Stanford. Thank you.
Looking back on my last less-than-20 posts (I’ve only started the blog), I would highlight my last post – I didn’t say much, the video in the post said it all – Our Inheritance, An Outrageous Love.
I am not here to offend anyone with different beliefs, but if more people could grasp what this outrageous love means, what a difference it would make in the world.
http://www.2livewithjoy.com/2011/02/11/our-inheritance-an-outrageous-love/
Thanks for being meaningful and compelling Stanford.
Wow, thanks for the kick in the rear. You really stopped me in my tracks and made me think about what I am really looking to accomplish. I truly hope I am building something that is or will add value to others but your post certainly ignited deeper thought. I really want to talk about “Compassion vs. Compulsion” but dont have the piece where I want it and feel I have to build more on my own balance and journey at the moment. But if I only had 20 posts left – I would have to drop everything else and complete that concept. Thanks again.
Stanford,
Thanks for having the guts to publish this post. It’s an important and thought-provoking question. It puts the spotlight on the question of not just why we are blogging, but why are we here on this planet? What are our true values, purpose, and vision. It surely can’t be to sell e-books!
My content aims to help. However, I’ll still be reflecting on this question to see how my content can be more meaningful, more helpful, more compelling.
Thanks for a brilliant read.
Stanford,
I love the way your mind works. You’re an inspiration.
I don’t know if my latest post will spur a revolution, but I was a bit squeamish about posting it since I was proposing we all cut back on commenting on each others blogs in order to create more time be creative in our lives.
Check it out and let me know what you think, okay?
WOW Stanford! This hit me in a way I can’t even describe. This is a subject I’ve been struggling with in terms of the degree to which I simply “go for it” in my blog posts. Thank You for helping me answer that question.
I think Margie put it best when she said ‘you’ve got my hamster running’!
This is an extremely thought provoking post. I can’t help but think I would keep my tone and my content the same, but the thought of this makes me want to write more clearly, more powerfully.
I’m speechless. You shouldn’t do this to people on their first cup of coffee.
Impressed, as always.
Sorry Brandon, but I couldn’t help myself. Enjoy that cup of coffee!
An excellent prod, Stanford! It’s far too often I, at least, get sidetracked from my “greater purpose”. Of course, we all know this type of live-your-life-like-today-is-your-last thinking has been around for a long time, but being reminded of it sure helps you focus. And I agree with Mark: the drama is tangible. Kudos. (I just hope Wael and his people get liberty, not a shift from one dictatorship to another.)
Great post, Stan. I appreciate posts on a general level that connect Social Media with the world at large. I agree with Mark – the whole post paints a picture of drama that sucks you right in – and it’s something really really interesting to think about. You’ve got my hamster running!
Hey Margie,
Wael’s story challenges us to take action. I can’t imagine the fear he hurdled to challenge the regime and change his world. It makes our fears of guest posting, posting too often, posting too much, getting comments, attracting traffic, and the like seem small.
I love how you have inserted drama into this post. It was a post you HAD to read. Great job!
Thanks Mark,
I shudder when I think about the risk Wael took to change his word. I get goosebumps when I think about “how” he did it. I’m putting him on my Hero speed-dial list
Hi Stanford,
Incredible look on the power of social community. It is an amazing acknowledgment to see what can be done, if people remove limitations and remove 6 biggest fears that every human has. Amazing! When this happens people quickly forget about physical things and go back to the deep human needs and values and bring out the best that they can.Great work!
Kind regards,
Peter