Strong Life
Strong Towns, one of the most popular books on urban revitalization, has grown an entire movement around its principles. All around the country, people have banded into groups called “Conversations” to support the improvement and renewal of their cities. There is even one right here in Steubenville.
I was speaking to the head of our local Conversation, and he shared a four step process that Strong Towns recommends for creating a positive impact.
Humbly observe where people in the community struggle.
Ask, “What is the next smallest thing we can do right now to address that struggle?”
Do that thing right now.
Repeat.
I find this process wonderful. I love that, with slight modifications, it can be applied at a variety of levels. You can use it for your city, but you could also apply it to a smaller community like a neighborhood, a school, a company, a family, or a relationship. It can even be applied to yourself by changing the first step to humbly observing where in your life you struggle.
This week, I invite you to apply the Strong Towns process to your own life and to one of your own communities, big or small. Here’s how it might look to apply it to yourself:
If I humbly observe my life, where do I struggle?
What is the next smallest thing I can do right now to address that struggle?
(Now stop reading this letter and do that thing!)
Repeat.
God bless,
Dan
