You know what makes me the MOST excited about writing Copyrighteous?

I am proud that I stuck to an idea I knew I believed in, even if it took me awhile to figure out how to share it in a way that was meaningful for others.

My conviction to the Copyrighteous message had me always hustling to share my story, but for some time, it was lost in translation. 

A lot of people told me that they didn’t get it.  That the topic was boring. That no one wanted to learn about Copyright.  That there were more exciting topics I could talk about.

And in total transparency, Dave and Shelley Burgess weren’t sure at first, either.  Here is an excerpt from an email Shelley wrote me last year: 

“So... I am going to be completely honest and let you know that when Dave and I chatted after the GHO (Google Hangout) you had with him, we were both a little skeptical about a book on "copyright rules" so I went into reading your manuscript thinking I wasn't going to like it much,  but then I read it and now I am very intrigued. I think you are doing something unique and different and I'm intrigued to see/hear more. I'm wondering if you and I could schedule a time to chat?”

My original project to support educators in copyright education got its jumpstart when I was accepted to the Google Innovator Academy in 2017.  This experience focuses largely on how important it is to fall in love with the problem.  I didn’t fall in love with a solution, but became obsessed with the problem that I wanted to help fix. 

So after every iteration to support copyright education, I sought feedback.  I tested the materials I was creating out in the field. That means a lot of failure, a lot of reflection, a lot of trying again, and if I am honest, some frustration.

In Copyrighteous, I talk about how important it is to allow criticism to guide your reflection. 

“Instead of fighting the criticism, I suggest you become friends with it.  In fact, become so comfortable receiving feedback and constructive criticism, you let it fuel you.”

I became friends with the criticism.  See, I truly believe that we all need guidance within this topic, but I had to find the best way to share my story of why it felt so important to talk about.

So I started with my actual story.  Why did I care about copyright so much, truly?  It was because of the experiences I had as an educator and instructional leader.  I saw a lack of support for educators concerning this topic.

For years I worked to spread the #Copyrighteous message.  I gave sessions over the topic at different educational conferences.  When I presented on Copyright at first, only a few people would show up to the session.  When I speak about other things, the rooms fill up, but as long as even a few people wanted to listen, I was happy to share the message.  At times, I felt as though I had fallen in love with a problem that no one else was interested in solving. I guess this made me the underdog of EDU.

If everyone thinks that your idea is great, maybe the idea could use a bit of reflection.  Change doesn’t happen in our comfort zones, as they say. All of my early adopters out there, you know what I mean.  

Everybody roots for the underdog because they have heart and determination, even with the odds stacked.  Underdogs never quit; I certainly could have let the criticism get to me. Instead, I continued to believe in the message and the importance of highlighting something that should be absolutely essential to our process of creating for our classrooms. 

What are you an underdog for?  What is your story, and what will the world be missing out on if you don’t share it?  

I am certainly glad that I allowed my personal reflection to guide me to the opportunity to share the Copyrighteous message with you. Where will your reflection lead you?