Professional Troublemaker: When Troublemaking is Necessary

What can you do when you know that something is wrong, but no one is doing anything to fix it? You can make trouble. People often forget that you can speak up and choose to make a change. Troublemaking may have a negative connotation, but it can also be a source of good and lead to change.

In this episode, Nigerian American author Luvvie Ajayi Jones talks about her book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual. She shares what professional troublemaking is all about and how you can become one. She also discusses her insights on the COVID-19 pandemic and creating art in times of crisis. She explains how she overcomes fear to take a firm stand. Finally, Luvvie touches on her faith and spirituality.

If you want to learn how to take a stand and make good trouble, then this episode is just for you!

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

Learn what a professional troublemaker is and what it means to be one
Discover how you can choose to honor yourself and speak for others
Recognize what it means to be fearless in the face of your fears

Resources

Connect with Luvvie Ajayi Jones on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and via her website
Check out Luvvie’s published books Professional Trouble Maker: The Fear Fighter Manual and I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual
Pre-order Luvvie’s upcoming book which comes out on May 17, Rising Troublemaker: A Fear Fighter Manual for Teens
Listen to Luvvie’s Professional Troublemaker podcast
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Episode Highlights

[00:45] Luvvie's Passion for Libraries

Luvvie regularly went to the library. There, she found respite and became an avid reader.
Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, she recently held her first event in front of thousands of librarians.
Both Generations Z and Alpha are missing the experience of sitting in a library without any distractions.

[04:45] Life During the Pandemic

Before the pandemic, Luvvie often traveled for work and vacation.
Although stuck at home, she enjoyed the peace and opportunity to stay still.
Luvvie was productive amidst the pandemic. She wrote her book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual and held virtual tours.

[06:37] Creating Art in Times of Crisis

Luvvie was inspired to continue to create during the pandemic. She wanted to make people feel seen during the crisis.
She wrote in a time of intense fear. It was this fear that gave her a different perspective.
For Luvvie, she found that fear can keep you safe and away from danger.
However, it can also prevent you from taking action on something that needs to be done.

[07:07] Luvvie: “I couldn't be quiet as the world was burning, I couldn't just sit and watch it. I also did get some rest, but I feel like I was inspired to just create good art, something to make people feel seen.”—Click Here to Tweet This

[08:49] Humanity’s Denial of Reality

Many people were in denial of the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during its onset.
Luvvie says we have to become aware of what’s happening around us. Denial and avoidance will not help in the long run.
Sadly, humanity doesn’t always respond with urgency when doing things for others.
It’s best to listen to experts who are much more knowledgeable in their areas of expertise.

[10:02] Luvvie: “We have to start giving credence to what's really happening around us. Humans are great at denial and avoidance, and we activate it especially in the moments when we shouldn't like an impending pandemic.”—Click Here to Tweet This

[15:58] Being a Professional Troublemaker

A professional troublemaker is someone who speaks up and disrupts the peace. It is to make trouble for a good and honorable reason.
It’s normal to be afraid when speaking up, but it’s crucial not to give in to this fear.
Fearlessness is not the absence of fear but about not letting fear stop you.
Most people stay quiet and let things worsen due to fear and indifference
A commitment to making necessary trouble involves your time and leveraging your capabilities.

[16:29] Luvvie: “It's the idea that fearlessness is not that you're not afraid. It’s that you are afraid and you do it anyway. You're not letting your fear make you do less.”—Click Here to Tweet This

[18:30] Thoughtful Troublemaking

Thoughtfulness is part of troublemaking. Make sure that what you do and say comes from a place of love.
The intention of a troublemaker is not to upset others but to honor yourself and your values.
When deciding whether or not to speak up, consider if you are betraying yourself by remaining silent.

[20:19] Luvvie: “We spend a lot of time betraying ourselves by biting our tongues when we really need to speak up. We spend a lot of time betraying ourselves by allowing people to convince us that we need to be different from who we are.”—Click Here to Tweet This

[21:51] Choosing to Make Necessary Trouble

Troublemaking is not a personality trait but a commitment.
You have to start the habit and intentionally make a proactive choice to make good trouble.
It's never too late to start, and you can make this choice anytime.
First, make sure that what you do and say comes from a place of honor.
Choosing to be a troublemaker can be scary, but that fear can lead to regret.

[22:26] Luvvie: “I think it's incredibly powerful to make the choice to be courageous — to make the choice to make the trouble when you could choose otherwise when silence is more comfortable.”—Click Here to Tweet This

[25:31] Facing Fear

Many are afraid they’ll be ostracized if they speak up.
If people turn you away, consider that it might not be the space for you to speak up.
Do what makes you happy and not what makes others happy.

[26:55] Faith and Spirituality

Luvvie is a Christian who finds her anchor in God.
She uses her gift to honor who she was created to be.
Despite hard times, she takes time for herself to recharge.

[31:47] How Luvvie Feels Radically Loved

The people in Luvvie's life who support her make her feel radically loved.
She hopes to show her radical love for these people as well.

About Luvvie

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a renowned writer, speaker, and podcast host. She’s written two bestselling books, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual (2021) and I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016). She has also written thought-provoking and critical pieces on her blog, Awesomely Luvvie.

Luvvie has appeared in multiple conferences as a featured speaker. She continues to inspire her audience through her podcast, Professional Troublemaker, where she talks with changemakers about making good and necessary trouble in the world.

You can find out more about Luvvie on her website and reach her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.