Conviction.
It’s the difference between a half-hearted endorsement and a full-fledged belief. And it can turn an idea into an inspiration.
Conviction helps our voice cut through the clutter. It helps our concepts gain an audience. It helps our vision become a movement.
In our attention-deficient world, these results are more than a nice-to-have. They’re essential for gathering any semblance of attention.
This means conviction has become table stakes.
When we speak publicly, when we write, when we create performance art — we’re expected to do so with conviction.
The ideas within our work — they matter to us. But we must be compelling in order to make them matter to the world.
I’ve taken this mantra to heart.
I speak with conviction. I act with conviction. And I try and share ideas on Words of the West with conviction.
Without conviction, the tens of thousands of words I’ve shared here would ring hollow. They would lie trapped between tradewinds of spreadable ideas on the high seas of prose.
Such a fate does no one any good.
So, I only write on concepts I truly believe in. I only focus on fresh perspectives that I feel could benefit the world at large.
Yet, each time I share my vision with the world, a haunting
thought gathers in my mind.
What If I’m leading my audience astray?
You see, much like a frontiersman’s pickax, conviction is a requisite tool to break through. But it’s as double edged as a Bowie knife.
All ideas shared with conviction are not necessarily good ones. In fact, conviction has helped bring about the darkest sides of humanity.
Totalitarianism, genocide and human trafficking each have their roots in conviction. These scourges on our existence are not native to our cognition. But when the misguided spread a message of divisiveness with great conviction, a devastating tidal wave can take hold.
Those who seek to send us backward can be just as effective as those who seek to bring us forward.
For conviction doesn’t discriminate on morality. It simply provides a bigger megaphone.
This is a sobering reminder.
While few of us aim to use the powers of conviction to denigrate society, the ideas we spread can still cause harm.
After all, the world is not black and white. It’s shades of
gray.
And a movement that inspires one person can send another spiraling.
I consider this morass each time I spread ideas.
I recognize the danger embedded within. And how it might remain at odds with my Do No Harm mandate.
Yet, I carry on.
Because ultimately, the opportunity cost is greater if I don’t share. Because ultimately, the benefits outweigh the risks.
This rings true for all of us.
Making a positive change in the world starts with speaking up. If your heart is true and your morals are strong, it is worthwhile to share your ideas with conviction.
So, don’t hold back.
Know the risks. Understand the responsibilities. Take the leap.