You have an idea worth spreading. The challenge is convincing others they should care.

An Idea Worth Spreading

The well-known TED conference and corresponding TED talk videos are based on the slogan “ideas worth spreading.” Thought leaders in a variety of industries share their big ideas in 5 to 15 minutes talks that are then shared online.

Last weekend, I co-hosted TEDxBrookings for over 360 attendees. TEDxBrookings is the local version of the TED conference with speakers from throughout the region. (You can view the photos here.)

After months of prepping, working with speakers and finally seeing the results, I came to one clear conclusion:

everyone has an idea worth spreading, but not everyone can articulate why that idea matters to others.

At our event we heard some big ideas such as:

• How to fight Ebola
• How to map community resources
• How to teach critical thinking

These talks were interesting and insightful. We told our speakers the goal of the event was to teach the audience something they didn’t know, they didn’t know.

Every speaker did an amazing job of this.

A few speakers, however, did something extra. They convinced the audience why their idea mattered. These talks moved beyond interesting and became inspiring. They changed the audience’s view of the world.

We learned:

• Why nature should be valued
• Why history matters for building community today
• Why breastfeeding improves communities

Your Idea Worth Spreading

You have an idea, and most likely, you don’t even think about why this idea matters. You already believe it is important and quickly move on to the interesting parts, the how. How your idea works, how it can solve a problem you face and how it could be accomplished.

Others however, do not necessarily share your worldview. Before you explain how your idea works, focus on why it matters.

When you articulate why your idea matters to the world, others will be more interested in hearing the details of your idea worth spreading. Everyone has an idea worth spreading, including you. Not everyone knows why their idea matters.

My Idea Worth Spreading

A few months ago I sent out a rough draft of my idea worth spreading to digital homesteaders like you. In late July I stood on stage at TEDxFargo for 7 minutes and shared why working in your community matters to the world. The video is now available, so I’d love to hear your feedback on whether I persuaded you that this idea matters. Just click here to start watching or check it out below.

Share Your Idea, Change World Views

There are ideas that matter within you. In my own community of Brookings, we host events like TEDxBrookings because there are important ideas that need to be shared.

Learn to share why your idea matters. Encourage others in your community to share why their ideas matter. This is world views, and ultimately the world, are changed.