Why You Should Write A Manifesto

We all have beliefs and a point of view.

The issue is, most of the time we do not truly think about them until we are in a tight place.

Writing out your beliefs and world view will help bring them to the surface so you can be more conscious of them.

What Is A Manifesto?

The word manifesto can trace its roots to back to Latin. The original word manifestum, means clear or conspicuous.

Webster defines a manifesto as “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer”.

Simply stated, a manifesto is a short clear statement of purpose and belief. It is a declaration.

You can have a manifesto for you personal, for political views, for your business, or for any type or organization.

Manifestos can be positive or negative.

A positive example is the Declaration of Independence from the American Revolution.

Another positive example is the Writer’s Manifesto by Jeff Goins.

Negative examples are The Unabomber Manifesto: Industrial Society and Its Future (by Ted Kaczynski) or the Communist Manifesto.

A manifesto help you define your beliefs and allows others to connect or disconnect from you.

Structure of A Manifesto

A manifesto can be short or long. Regardless of its length, it has three main parts to it.

Part 1: Beginning Defines The Problem

The beginning of the manifesto defines and innumerates the problem(s) to be addressed.

With the Declaration of Independence, the problems were numerous, 27 in all.

Part 2: Announce The Solution

One the problem has been identified, a solution needs to be put forth, otherwise, it isn’t a manifesto but a whining complaint.

For those signing the Declaration of Independence, their solution was quite dramatic. To solve the 27 problems they set forth, they declared:

That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

You solution doesn’t need to that dramatic, but it needs to provide a way to solve the problem(s) you presented.

Part 3: Give A Call To Action

Since your manifesto has defined a problem and a solution, the final piece is to get people moving. Inspiring people has its place but there needs to be more. After reading the manifesto, they need something to do, otherwise, the inspiration will wear off and nothing will change.

For the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the call to action was a pledge, not just for them, but for all the people that believed in their declaration. Many did give their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to bring about the United States of America.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

My Own Manifesto For This Site

I release my manifesto, “Trade Soul-Sucking Work To Soul Filling Work.”

To get the free e-book, fill out the form below this post and grab your copy

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A Challenge For You

Pick a problem you see, whether it’s in your own life or just something you see.

Define that progrem.

Offer a solution.

Write your own manifesto. It doesn’t need to be a novel. Try for something in the 1000 to 3000 work mark. People should be able to read it in under 15-20 minutes

Share it with others and get their feedback (edits).

Often we are like, Joan Didion, who said “I don’t know what I think until I write it down.”

You can do it. I believe in you.