Be Bigger Than Your Fears
As we look into the start of 2024 (albeit a few weeks late), I want to start by asking you to advocate for yourself. I think fear is a con artist, the worst kind. It’ll sell you a story about your limitations, your inabilities. But here’s the thing — it’s all smoke and mirrors. Don’t let fear be the CEO of your destiny. Take the reins. Remember, fear is just a badly-behaved intern in the company of your life. Show it who’s boss.
And I think it’s especially meaningful to speak about this on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
“Why?” might be your first question, and it’s a good one to ask as my thoughts bounce around with others in the social echo chamber.
While Martin Luther King Jr. is an icon of civil rights, a beacon of courage, he is more. This guy was the epitome of fearlessness, a noble teacher, and these are the lessons we must take to heart.
Purpose Over Popularity
MLK stood for his cause even when it was unpopular, even dangerous. He wasn’t seeking likes on Instagram; he was changing the world. He teaches us to stand for something bigger than ourselves, even if it means standing alone. He was changing the world. He didn’t chase clout; he chased change. In our world obsessed with social media validation, MLK’s legacy is a slap in the face of our superficiality.
We must agree that MLK’s pursuit was anything but popular. We’re talking about a time when standing up for civil rights was not just unpopular, it was downright dangerous. This man was receiving death threats, for God’s sake. But did he back down? No. He stood taller. Today, we’ve got keyboard warriors afraid to voice opinions unless they’re trending. MLK’s life is a masterclass in conviction. He teaches us that real leaders don’t follow polls; they shape them.
And let’s talk about the Instagram culture we’re drowning in. Likes, followers, superficial metrics. MLK had none of that. His platform was the streets, his followers were real people fighting for real change. He wasn’t curating a perfect feed; he was curating a movement. He teaches us that change doesn’t come from double taps on a screen, it comes from boots on the ground, from voices in the streets.
Bigger Than Ourselves
We are a generation that needs to stand for something bigger than ourselves, even if it means standing alone. In today’s “me-first” culture, that’s a foreign concept. We’re so obsessed with personal branding, we’ve forgotten the power of collective action. MLK’s life is a stark reminder that the most significant impacts are made when we look beyond our own interests. He wasn’t just fighting for himself; he was fighting for generations to come.
MLK’s approach to life and activism is a stark contrast to our current “like-driven” society. He wasn’t just a leader; he was a visionary who understood that true change requires unpopular decisions, relentless action, and, most importantly, selflessness. In a world where everyone’s trying to be an influencer, MLK teaches us to be influencers of change, real change. That’s the legacy worth chasing.
Action, Not Just Words
MLK didn’t just dream; he did. He organized, he marched, he spoke, he acted. Today, we’re drowning in tweets and posts — it’s all talk. MLK teaches us that real change needs real action. This guy was a force of nature. He didn’t just sit back and hope for change; he was out there making it happen.
MLK wasn’t about vague ideas. He planned, strategized. We’re talking about precise, coordinated actions — the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington. These weren’t spontaneous events; they were the result of meticulous planning and coordination. Today? We’ve got online petitions that people forget after clicking “sign.” MLK’s level of organization? That’s what drives real, lasting change.
MLK put his boots on the ground. Literally. He didn’t just support his cause from the comfort of his home; he was out there, leading the charge. In today’s world, we’ve got “activism” that often doesn’t leave the screen. It’s easy to ‘stand’ for something when you’re just sitting behind a keyboard. MLK teaches us that real commitment means showing up, being present, and taking to the streets if necessary.
The guy was a powerhouse speaker. He didn’t just tweet soundbites; he delivered speeches that shook the nation. His words had depth, emotion, power. They weren’t just heard; they were felt. Today, we’re bombarded with empty rhetoric, 280 characters of nothing. MLK’s speeches? They were calls to action, igniting change in the hearts of millions.
MLK wasn’t about waiting for others to fix things. He took charge. He faced arrest, violence, massive resistance. But he kept pushing forward. Today, we’ve got a lot of armchair critics. It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines. MLK shows us that true change-makers get in the game. They take risks. They make sacrifices.
Face Your Fear
So, what’s the lesson here? It’s simple. Real change — it’s not about what you say; it’s about what you do. It’s not about being popular; it’s about being impactful. It’s not about virtual signaling; it’s about actual doing. MLK wasn’t just dreaming of a better world; he was out there building it. And that, my friends, is what real change looks like.
So, there you have it. Purpose, action, discomfort, hope — MLK’s masterclass in fearlessness. He wasn’t just dreaming; he was doing. And in today’s world, that’s a lesson we all need to learn. Be more MLK — less tweeting, more doing.
Brian Fink is the author of the upcoming book The Main Thing is The Main Thing. It’s his way of galvanizing your focus to bring your life’s work to reality. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of dispelling the constant barrage of interruptions, pings, and distractions that take you away from realizing your main thing.
