Jealous Like Mark

Before we get into today’s article, I want to kvell about being invited to present THREE workshops at the Living the New Economy conference in Victoria, British Columbia. The conference runs November 29 through December 5.

By “New Economy” organizers Nicole Moen and Geoff Gosson are referring to the economy that we have to create because we’re past peak oil, and that our current lifestyle is unsustainable. This conference has a focus on local, sustainable, innovative ways of making our communities resilient, connected, strong. It looks to be an amazing event. Amazing.

Whether you’re an activist, a heart-centered business owner, or are just wanting to know what and how to start making your life and community function better in the face of all the changes happening, this event will inspire you, and connect you to others doing similar work.

I’m honored to present three heart-centered business skills workshops in this context. I’d love to meet you! Yes, it’s right after American Thanksgiving, so I can’t get up there until Saturday, but I’ll be there the rest of the week, and I hope I’ll see you there.

Check it out: Living the New Economy Conference. And here’s a direct link to the program.

Okay, on to the article, today by our star practitioner, Jason Stein.

Jealous Like Mark

For years I’ve watched Mark Silver, the founder of Heart of Business, turn out amazing and impactful written content. At least a few times every year I am met head on with the thought, “I wish I could just be more Mark in my writing.” Sound familiar?

You and I use words every day while hanging out with the people in our lives, but when it comes to translating our voices into the written word it’s easy to get lost in a world of comparison and judgment.

Mark will articulate an idea that my mind has been shadow boxing around in a way that allows me to finally land with both feet firmly planted. I was inspired at how he wrote the following excerpt:

“I’ve worked with clients who do amazing healing work, and yet are… afraid? reluctant? In any event, not making the connection between the transformational work they do, and the actual differences clients see in their day-to-day lives, in health, in changed relationships, in the ability to succeed in work.”

BAM, that’s when I get blindsided by the, “How can I write more like Mark?”  After all, Mark is educated, deeply spiritual, an activist, and well-liked, so why wouldn’t I want to be more like him?

Give me a “Hell yeah!” if you, too, frequently have the thought, “Why can’t I write more like …?”

Here’s the real kicker: Mark gets jealous of people like you and me, too.  Just the other day Mark was able to share that he had jealousy towards me at times. Huh? Believe me, it was a shocker for me too.

I can’t be more like Mark, and he can’t be more like me, no matter how much he or I may want to sometimes. I can only be more fully me.

While you may have heard that before, I have a little secret I’ll let you in on. It’s the only way to succeed in producing kick-butt content that works is to allow yourself to be more fully you.

Let me be clear, I’m not saying the Heart of Business material infused with Mark’s voice won’t help you be more efficient, more successful, and more succinct in your article and web copy writing. The Heart of Business products have helped thousands become better at understanding the elements, breaking down sales systems, and creating landing pages that can exponentially improve your business.

But that’s not being more like Mark. That’s taking a system that he has created and combing it with your voice to create products and services that are distinctively you.

So, how do you become more you?  Well, my friend, you have to find your own voice.

Your voice, everyone’s voice, is unique. Here’s the most amazing part.  Whatever unique qualities you carry in your written voice, there is a need for those qualities in the business world. Not everyone has a soft, caring, and empathetic flavor. Your voice may be crass at times, or have an edge that cuts right to the heart of the matter. The trick is to find the balance between your inherent Yin and Yang energy.

Take a minute and read over the most recent piece that you’ve written. If you immediately begin to glaze over, it may be that you’ve swung too far Yin. On the other hand, if you feel that your words carry so much of a punch that clients will be shocked and apt to disconnect it may be that the pendulum has swung too far towards Yang. The key is to find YOUR center.

How?

First, create a little space for yourself by infusing the activity with some fun. Brainstorm some people that you think embody the type of Yin and Yang you resonate with.  These figures may be your parents, grandparents, spiritual leaders, cartoon characters, famous historical figures. You can clearly see in their writing that they represent more Yin or Yang.

Need some examples? I consider myself a cross between the Dalai Lama and Eminem. I’ve also worked with clients who identified with combinations such as Marianne Williamson  and Barbara Streisand, Alanis Morsette and Oprah.

I invite you to make this choice before sitting down to write another word of content. Maybe Mark represents your Yin, or maybe it’s Mother Theresa, but whomever you choose there has to be a Yang to bring balance.

Action Step: First, take a moment to identify who your Yin/Yang role models are. Who represents your Yin, soft, receptive, womb-like, creative wisdom?

And who represents your Yang, action-oriented, decisive, strong, opinionated?

Now read over something you’ve written recently. Have you leaned too far Yin, eyes glazing over boring and soft? Or maybe too far Yang, too abrupt, hard, punchy?

If you, infuse the counterbalance. Connect with your Yin and Yang role models for energy, and infuse whatever energy was missing into your writing.

I want you to bring all of you to the table so that your readers get to be as engaged in reading your words as you have been in writing them.

In the words of Eminem, “You have to lose yourself in the music the moment you own it you better never let it go.”

Hey, this can be fun! I invite you to share your voice and come on over to the blog [on the blog write: “Will you leave a comment below”] and share who your Yin and Yang role models are?   Come on, I triple-dog-dare you!

To Your Success,

Jason

Written by Jason Stein, one of our star practitioners here at Heart of Business. Work with him one-on-one to easily and heartfully increase your business, or join the three of us, Jason, Yollana and Mark, for a year-long business-building adventure called Opening the Moneyflow.