'Workable words'

By Casey Lartigue, Jr.

"Go big or go home" is a saying meant to challenge people to do bigger things, but are there other options? It seems if you aren't trying to go viral, win a championship, or save the whole world that you are just spinning your wheels.

Is it possible to enjoy a jog in the park without the expectation that it should be preparation for a 100-meter sprint in the Olympics? If I shoot some hoops, must I have the goal of getting to the NBA?

Like clockwork, when I mentioned to caring friends and Youtubers that I was activating my dormant Youtube channel (17 videos in 8 years), they were dissecting my strategy, monetization prospects and target audience like I was president of the world issuing a global business plan.

If I failed to follow their advice to take over Youtube, I could sense I would be hearing "I told you so, you didn't try to make it bigger." My previous eight years of apathy on Youtube should be an evidence that it is not a high priority in my life.

I recently decided, however, that I would like to have conversations with some of the mentors and colleagues from my professional career, hopefully some of their "workable words" could inspire others into action.

Unlike Youtubers identifying their audiences first, I was focused on my guests, probably another sign I didn't know what I was doing. Dr. Howard Fuller is an activist I have known for two decades, he has had a great impact on my leadership development. Walter E. Williams and Thomas Sowell are economists who have had a great impact on my intellectual development. I would start with them.

Shortly before I was going to contact Prof. Williams, I heard the terrible news that he had passed away Dec. 1. I first met him in 1991. In 2002 he interviewed me on the Rush Limbaugh Show and was often a featured guest on my radio talk show.

Larger than life to anyone who knew him, when the subject of death would come up, Prof. Williams would say, "If I die ..." before making a provocative point. That may be why, even though he was 84 years old, I took my time in contacting him. It seemed that he would outlive us all.

I contacted Dr. Fuller (he was a month from celebrating his 80th birthday). He understood that I might not have many viewers, but you start with what you have. A lesson I learned from him 15 years ago: "If you plan a meeting for 100 people but only three people show up, then you have three people to work with."

Not everyone is trying to go big. Studies over the years have found that many small business owners, even those doing well, are fine with not becoming conglomerates. (How many go out of business trying to go too big, from good-to-great too soon?) Many working professionals quit the rat race to enjoy life.

I am not joining the rat race of YouTube, chasing subscribers and clicks, although I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if the channel took off like a Psy video. I plan to donate any possible revenue to my organization empowering North Korean refugees.

If you know any prominent or active Youtubers, you know that it becomes like a job (constantly coming up with new content, guests, provocative titles and information). My YouTube channel is going to be a fun jog in the park, not a desperate sprint for viewers.

On Jan. 14, on Dr. Fuller's 80th birthday, the first episode of "Workable words" was finalized and uploaded, with help from executive producer Esther Kim in the U.S. and assistant producer Dahye Kang in South Korea. The show's title is inspired by a quote about 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass: "He spoke not mere words of eloquence… that delight the ear and pass away. No! They were workable, doable words …"

"Workable words" are what I will be seeking from doers and applied talk from analysts who don't engage in action but may have practical suggestions for others.

I will be thrilled if I say something that goes viral without destroying me. There are many internet clickers who don't take any action beyond clicking to the next video or trying to tweet the world to equality, peace, and cosmic justice. The "workable words" from our conversations hopefully will inspire some people into practical action.

I suspect that professional YouTubers will be shaking their heads, saying, "I told you so" when my videos fail to go viral. And when I am enjoying my discussions and hopefully inspiring some people into "workable words" that lead to action, I will be able to say to my Youtube advisers, "I told you so. The choice wasn't just to go big or go home."

Casey Lartigue, Jr., (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu), co-founder along with Eunkoo Lee of Freedom Speakers International (FSI), is the 2017 winner of the "social contribution" prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and the 2019 winner of the "Challenge Maker" award from Challenge Korea.

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