Jason Norris

Exploring creative ways to communicate and educate

My 500 Words

My 500 Words: The daily writing challenge by Jeff Goins
I'm participating in the 500 words daily writing challenge started by Jeff Goins. These are the posts. If you spot a typo or incomplete thought, please note: Jeff said don't edit.

 

Fear of mobile technology

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Day 18 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

If I make my message mobile, will people stop coming to my place?

That’s the fear I’ve seen expressed by many people in churches, and I wonder if it’s the same fear in those who teach and work at institutes of higher education.

The worry is an old one, at least as far as church is concerned.

<< Back in the day <<

In the 1900s, many people took to the air through this newfangled thing called radio.

Preachers preached to the nation on AM (and later) FM radio. Then television came along and the televangelist was born.

I’ve never seen research that showed a drop in church attendance specifically because of church services on broadcast media, but that was certainly a worry for churches trying to decide if they should buy air time.

>> Fast forward to now >>

It’s almost 2020, and today “air time” on the internet is cheap and almost easy.

Online churches are real places people can go to participate in worship services, watching and listening to praise songs and sermons.

And people are still worried that folks won’t come to church if the church creates an online church.

This is an issue worth exploring

This week, I heard a podcast on it and read a completely unrelated article about it.

I also read the comments. Wow!

I’ve been advised to skip reading comments, but I find them insightful. Now I know how a lot of people feel about this issue—not just the feelings of the two podcasters and the blogger.

There are common arguments that I want to tackle in future blog posts—and possibly on a podcast episode at OnTheGo.FM.

I believe there are important nuances being overlooked by church leaders and many church members. But I won’t try to get into detail about those in this article.

Instead, I want to clearly state that I believe in-person connections at church are important.

I also want to clarify what I’ve been saying for a long time. When I say you should make your message mobile, I don’t mean that you should shut the doors and sell your building (church or school).

Go mobile with the teaching, training, and stories that are currently only available at specific times in your building, on your campus, and in your classrooms.

When you do that, people who want to learn can do so whenever and wherever it’s best for them.

If you do this . . .

People will be thankful that you reached out to them in this way to keep them connected.

If they were already part of your church, they will return in person when their schedule and commitments allow.

If they are new to your church, then they will choose you when they decide to take their next steps toward faith and fellowship with others.

Still worried?

Take a look at what is already happening in churches around you—and probably in your own church right now.

Attendance is dropping.

It’s not because they want to see your church service on Facebook Live. People are showing up less and less as our culture continues changing.

And if you’re not going to make your message mobile, they won’t have any spiritual connection with your church.

Shift your mindset.

Don’t think of online church, online Bible studies, videos, and podcasts as competition to gathering in your building. Instead, think of those things as lifelines.

Reach them through the technology they carry with them everywhere.

Make your message mobile so people can learn on the go.

Update your “about” page

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Day 16 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

One of the most popular pages on all web sites is the “about” page.

After all, when you arrive at a site that piques your interest, you want to know more about it.

I just realized I haven’t updated my about page at OnTheGo.FM lately. I’ve made changes there and started a new podcast, but the about page was very out of date.

So instead of posting an article here as my 500-words daily writing challenge, I updated my about page over there.

I hope it better reflects my goals for the site. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite make 500 words. That’s twice now I’ve come up short on the goal. I’ve got to get focused again so I can get better at establishing this writing habit.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about the purpose behind OnTheGo.FM, here it is.

About

Evaluating #my500words (halfway through)

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Day 15 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

So this challenge to write at least 500 words a day is about halfway done.

Jeff Goins suggested we (all the participants in the writing challenge) use this day to evaluate.

He asked, “How do you feel? Are you tired, worn out? Or more energized than ever?”

I’ll start there.

How do I feel?

I feel great!

Yeah, it has been a little tiring on some days, but mostly it has been inspirational. Is that the right word? I really feel like I’m getting back into the swing of things.

500 words are not really that many words, but meeting that goal every day (except one) has been encouraging to me. I know I can write, but sometimes the discipline to write consistently while in the middle of stressful situations can be overwhelming.

I’m making this a habit. I’m working on making this part of who I am. I like to write. I have the ability to write. Some have said I’m good at writing. But unless I actually write on a regular basis, my skills in this creative form of communication will stagnate.

I can tell I’m still rusty at this. I’m concerned I might lose some of my skills if I don’t stay in practice.

So the challenge has been a great encouragement.

Better, worse, or what-have-you?

Jeff Goins also asked, “Are you a better writer, or a worse one? What changes do you notice in your attitude, in your actions?”

I getting better. The “rust” is slowly fading. I’m feeling this amazing connection between the thoughts in my head and my hands on the keyboard. I see the words on the screen, and they’re saying what I mean to say.

I know communication is not complete until feedback occurs. So I am unsure if others truly read and understand what I’m trying to say. But as far as I’m concerned in this one-sided half-communication process, I’m able to express my thoughts and feelings well.

I’m also noticing the habit start to kick in. If I haven’t written yet, there’s part of me that says, I need to write.

Need. Yes, need to write. But I also want it. So that’s a great combination of needing and wanting.

One thing I have not achieved yet is “just write.”

It’s the idea of letting the words flow without editing as you go. I haven’t been able to do that yet. My editor kicks in every time I type a word or sentence that doesn’t perfectly say what I intend. Instead of leaving it alone and going on, I get the urge to fix it right then.

I think I know why that’s been a problem. I have been using this challenge to post something new on my blog every day. As a result, it does need some editing.

However, if I were to stick to Jeff Goins’ three bucket system, I might be able to truly do the “just write” thing.

His system allows for writing freely one day with editing on a future day. Right now my time is limited, so I’ve been combining writing and editing as I “pen” the words and post them on my blog.

I need to revisit the system and see if I can make it work within the challenge.

Hmm. Question: Will I continue this after the month is up?

I seriously hope so, I’m really enjoying writing and sharing my 500 words a day.

Do you understand the potential of podcasts?

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Day 14 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

I’ve been writing several articles on making your message mobile with a podcast. I believe podcasts can change you and the people you want to reach and teach.

Podcasts can literally transform the lives of people who listen to them. And each year, more people start listening.

Do you grasp the potential that’s available to you when you choose to make a podcast?

Podcast bubble

I recognize that I’m immersed in this industry to the point I might not realize what you know (or don’t know) about the potential of podcasts.

  • I love podcasts. I’ve listened to them since the beginning.
  • I make podcasts. Started in 2006 at Alabama Public Radio.
  • Most of the Facebook groups I’m in are podcasting-focused.
  • I attend the Podcast Dallas meetup as often as I can.
  • I talk about podcasts more than any other technology.
  • I encourage others to start podcasts.
  • I offer coaching and consulting to people who want to learn to podcast.

I understand the potential of podcasts.

But I recognize that I’m in a bubble. Some might say an echo chamber.

So I wonder, do you understand the potential of podcasts?

More people are listening to podcasts

Every year since podcasts were invented, more and more people started listening on the go.

They discovered it was fun to listen to interviews, comedies, and discussions while they were commuting, exercising, walking the dog, and working.

They also discovered they could learn on the go. Zig Ziglar once talked about the “automobile university,” a way to make good use of getting stuck in traffic. Listen and learn with audio cassettes on sales, motivation, and other teachings.

That idea of the “automobile university” has grown exponentially since audio cassettes were a thing. More than 600,000 podcasts are available, and that number grows each year, too.

If you had a podcast, people could be learning from you, too.

You can do more than the popular podcasts do

If you rarely listen to podcasts, the only ones you might have heard about are crime shows, celebrity comedy shows, and interviews with the rich and famous. Or if you live in a culture obsessed with sports, you’ve probably heard some football fan podcasts.

But there’s much more to the medium than that.

If you wanted to be a part of educating the world (or your community), you could start a podcast that focuses on what you believe to be the most important thing people need to know.

If you want to just tell great stories, you can do that with a podcast. There’s a major storytelling festival in my area that does not have a podcast yet. I’m kind of surprised they don’t have one. Or several podcasts. There are a lot of great storytellers here.

There are many churches that have a podcast. It’s usually a sermon podcast. That’s great, but there is so much more churches could do with a podcast ministry.

There is amazing potential in podcasting to change the world, your community, your church, your neighbors, or even yourself.

Discover the potential for yourself

Don’t just take my word for it. If you want to begin grasping the possibilities, start listening to at least one podcast episode a week. Then find another. And another. Soon you will understand the potential of podcasts.

And when you do, I’m here to help you take that understanding further by helping you make your own message mobile with a podcast.

My path (so far)

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Day 13 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

I’m exploring creative ways to communicate and educate. Why? Because our world has changed. Culture has changed. The way we talk to each other has changed. The way we teach others has changed.

And amazingly, it’s going to change even more within the next 5-10 years.

Just look back at the past decade

Look what the smartphone has done!

A supercomputer in the hands of almost everyone.

Look at Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon. If you were born in the 1970s like me, you’ve witnessed an evolution in society because of technology.

My dad’s gift: a technological appreciation—and direction

My dad had an old Texas Instruments calculator. He used to talk about how big computers used to be, filling entire rooms. He then pointed to the calculator to show how much computing power that little calculator had (and it was much bigger than my iPhone).

Later we got solar powered calculators that were packed with business statistics formulas. My dad was always amazed at the changes that took place in his life. He was born in the 1940s, so he had seen radical shifts in technology, politics, churches, and culture.

He setup his own recording studio in the 1980s, complete with soundproofing and reel-to-reel tapes.

Later, he was excited when he was able to print his own sales materials. Desktop publishing was revolutionary.

Then came digital editing of images, audio, and video. By that time, he mostly relied on me to create his ideas.

I’ve been immersed in technology since I was a kid. Thanks to my dad, I was set on a path to understand both technology and creative communication.

Onward from my dad’s gift

At some point, I started going a different way. I didn’t veer too far from the core teachings of my dad, but I did follow the path of technology farther than he did.

Through experiences at small town radio stations, I started to learn about the world of broadcasting. Later at Alabama Public Radio, my understanding of communication technologies began to grow exponentially.

I was going to college at the same time, studying communication from all angles: film, digital video, public speaking, television, documentary production, and telling stories with media.

An unexpected detour

I knew I wanted to pursue a seminary degree. That was not the unexpected part. What I didn’t realize when my wife and I moved to Texas was the drought of communication and media opportunities. I felt as if I was leaving behind everything I thought I was.

It took a few years, but I started to appreciate what I was learning in the field of Christian education. My concentration was in teaching, and I discovered principles of learning and teaching, and this broadened my horizons in unexpected ways.

Looking back, I realize that this, too, was one of my dad’s gifts to me. He had a certain philosophy of teaching that he gave me, one that I still treasure. I believe I have also gone farther in that direction than he did, but I still appreciate this additional path he set me on.

There and back again

Although we have remained in Texas, my path has led me back to communication and media.

I started doing media freelancing several years ago.

This includes voiceovers, audio editing, podcast consulting, and producing podcasts.

I don’t believe I would be here doing this and having this specific kind of influence had it not been for the gifts my dad gave me long before I understood what it was all about.

I only hope I can be as much of an influence on my own children as my dad was on me.

Why do we love superheroes?

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Day 12 of the 500-words daily writing challenge

What is it with all these movies about people with incredible powers?

I’m sitting here rewatching The Avengers, and I’m looking forward to seeing Captain Marvel in March and Avengers: Endgame in April.

I’ve been a fan of superhero stories since I was a kid. Comic books, movies, tv cartoons on Saturday morning, and even low-budget television shows.

I actually enjoyed The Amazing Spider-man with Nicholas Hammond (1978-1979). This was long before CGI made the impossible seem real.

I think there are three things that draw me to the superhero genre. Maybe these are your reasons, too.

Power

The power to fly. The power to lift planes, trains, and automobiles. The power to move faster than bullets.

Power is what superheroes are known for.

And for a kid who didn’t feel all that powerful, imagining a world in which I had superpowers certainly excited me. I may have been a slightly overweight nerd with glasses, but I could imagine that was not the real me, and that there was great power within.

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility.

Help

With superpowers, saving those in trouble would be no trouble. I know being able to help others certainly drew me to the superhero genre.

If I had superpowers for real, that’s exactly what I would do. Wouldn’t you?

Maybe that’s not for everyone. I guess there are selfish super-powered individuals. 🙂

But when you see bullies, and you have the ability to stop them, how could you not help those in need?

However, sometimes it’s not others who need saving. It’s us.

Salvation

Maybe another reason we’re drawn to the superhero genre is a general feeling of hopelessness in the real world. When we don’t feel confidence in the system, when politics is just ick, and when those we used to look up to fall from the pedestals we put them on, maybe some part of us looks around for someone to fly in and save the day.

I think that might be why the superhero genre is so huge right now.

What do you think?

(Meanwhile, I’m wishing for a superhero to come in now and give me about 150 more words! Haha. Better tomorrow.)