How To Have A Revolution

 We don't live in times of violent revolutions anymore. In this day and age, they do more harm than good. But that does not mean we don't need a good revolution now and then. The way to make an impact today is not to threaten people, but to look after them.  To show them an alternative. To inspire.

All revolutionaries are independent thinkers.  All revolutionaries envision a world different than the one we live in today.  But today's most effective revolutionaries don't throw molotov cocktails five miles away from a G-8 summit, today's revolutionaries are invited to speak at the G-8 summit.  Today's revolutionaries don't wear Che Guavara t-shirts, they wear Prada shoes.

Today's revolutionaries are young thought leaders who are invited to counsel politicians and generals.  Today's revolutionaries are entrepreneurs who start businesses to build a brighter future not just a bigger bank account.  Today's revolutionaries are not pressured to make quarterly results, they are driven to build strong companies that care for those invested in their cause over those who invested in their business.

Today's revolutionaries look like you and me. They are in our companies. They are in our government. They start businesses. They run schools. They look ahead and say "I believe in a world way better than this one..."

In today's society, there is no need to throw stones to affect change. But we do need change...the only question is who are you inspiring?

VIVA LA REVOLUCION!

Download a PDF of this post

Comments

[Parbrize]

fight, fight, fight !!!

[Ralph lauren Polo Sale]

belive in what you do and insist to doing it.

[True Religion Outlet]

I'm totally laughing because I know quite a few people that would think this is a good idea where they work. But really- it's so sad that their leaders know that this is a problem. Their answer isn't to change the environment to prevent the jumping- just put something out there to catch them when they do. Sure makes me feel so very fortunate to work where I do. It's like a gift from God.

[Justin Bieber Supra]

I've seen the opposite, where parents put their kids into private school kindergarten to get them in a year earlier than the school district would have allowed them. This ended up with a six year old in my second grade class. She wasn't ready.

It really is something that should be considered on an individual basis. My sister was eligible for kindergarten based on her birthday when we lived in California, but when we moved, she ended up being more than a year younger than her classmates for the rest of her schooling. My mom wishes that she had kept her out another year.

[Heat Pump Prices]

A great post. Keep update! I've subscribed your blog!

[Nina]

Nowadays you can find some revolutions in ex-soviet countries where is a fight for power between ex communist officials and current democratic.

[research papers]

We do not need revolution, it breeds indignation and outrage.

[Onitsuka Tiger]

College sports, especially football and basketball, are a big industry.

[florida]

Im now more focused from the time i read your article. You enlightened me with great knowledge.

[cheap jordan retro]

Even taking a purely traditional approach, mothers need education more than do fathers, because a child's life, his education, begins at his mother's breast.

[Heat Pump Prices]

I found this article useful in a paper I am writing at university. Hopefully, I get an A+ now!

[killy]

Love your new blog. Can't wait to see what you write about. Go for it!

[J.]

How irrelevant--this is so vague; what is your credibility?

[uggs boots]

I agree with your point, please share with us more good articles.

[fendi]

No matter the adults or the kids, there are so many fabulous North Face Jackets for them at our North Face Outlet. North Face Kids' Jackets collect lots of various Jackets for children. http://www.thenorthfaceworlds.com/

[Ryan Ardo]

This is great, I learned a lot. How can we make a difference in our community?

[Anagoelzer]

some ideas are more violent than a gun.

[Anagoelzer]

Sometimes an idea could be more violent than a gun.

[Peter Paluska]

This is an inspiring post! Not at all sentimental, just pure sincerity. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more. How about this: Can today's revolutionary maybe combine the Che Gueverra tee shirt AND the Prada shoes--you know, the ones with the little red stripe up the back? Thank you, Simon!

[Axel]

Excuse me, but please show me one person who has spoken at a G-8 summit and revolutionized anything. I think you are describing changemakers, not revolutionaries. People who work inside the system to make things better. That's great, but that doesn't make one a revolutionary. And these types have always existed.

Of course, the molotov guys aren't revolutionaries either. They just enjoy violence.

[Roy Jaleco]

Another inspiring article, Simon! It makes me take another look at my own effort in trying to inspire those I meet while on my journey. Thanks for your sharing your thoughts..!

[Fernando]

On the importance of the judiciary, Che intoned:

"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary," [Lewis] Carroll would have heard from the chief executioner, named Ernesto "Che" Guevara. "These procedures are an archaic bourgeois detail. This is a revolution! And a revolutionary must become a cold killing machine motivated by pure hate. We must create the pedagogy of the paredon (The Wall)!"

Or watching The Motorcycle Diaries, which somehow failed to mention the following heart-warming passage:

Crazy with fury I will stain my rifle red while slaughtering any enemy that falls in my hands! My nostrils dilate while savoring the acrid odor of gunpowder and blood. With the deaths of my enemies I prepare my being for the sacred fight and join the triumphant proletariat with a bestial howl!

Plenty more out there.
Do a little research.

Guevara wasn't a revolutionary. He was a self described "cold killing machine".

[Noah]

Nice post Simon - thanks

Noah

[Mauriciomar]

True revolutionaries are leaders, great communicators and flexible to adapt when needed to pursuit change.
Fidel Castro had some revolutionary qualities but he did not adapt or change when the environment and its people wanted another system...now he finally accepted his revolution is not working.This also reminds me the popular quotes..."Make your enemy your friend", "your competitor your partner"....the issue is sometimes it takes great time to do this and a lot of character no ego and patience to persuade power to action.
Please keep feeding us with your great inspirational writing!

[Erin Hill]

Very true. We need the revolutionary thinkers to STEP UP and inspire (to lead rather than just think) others to follow in a constructive manner. Just watched Seth Godin's talk on The Tribes we Lead which is related to this. Great, inspiring stuff from both of you.