.: Is Your Athenticity Creating Growth Or Stagnation?
By:Mark Silver
I have a recommendation for you for 2006: Take a risk and be inauthentic.
Authenticity, being yourself, is the foundation of your health, and the health of your business. But, it can also be a source of stagnation, and, eventually, your death. It has to do primarily with how many of us learn.
For most of us, we learn by "monkey see (or read, or hear) - monkey do." It's the easiest way I know to learn- we emulate someone else's (hopefully) experienced and masterful example.
And here's where the problem comes in: when you are emulating someone else's example, you are doing it their way. If it's something mechanical like changing a tire, not too big a deal. But if it's something more personal, like painting a person or writing marketing copy, things get a little trickier.
Artistic self-expression in the pursuit of an outcome is most potent when it comes directly from your heart, and passes through the filters of knowledge and structure that help to shape it. If you don't know how to handle a brush, it's hard to produce the painting you see in your imagination.
So what do you do? An early exercise for some serious artists is to copy painting styles of famous painters. If you are in school, then you understand that the process isn't undermining your authentic style of painting, it's helping you to develop it.
If you want to grow your business, you are studying (I hope!) all kinds of business skills: marketing, systems, money, etc, etc. But, you are probably doing it on your own, in a self-directed course of self-study, with some classes here and there. So you see successful people in business, and you want to learn from them. And, the best way you know how, whether you take a class, read a book, or just watch their business, is the monkey see-monkey do approach.
Except that the "monkey do" part of it leaves you feeling inauthentic, because you are painting in their style, not your own. And, I'm guessing that the fear of being inauthentic, of somehow transgressing your values, your heart, or alienating others, is keeping you in the "monkey see" but you are maybe holding back from "monkey do."
Those artists trust the process. You can, too. Risk being inauthentic as you apply what you learn. Apply it enough, and you'll digest it, and own it, and before you know it, you both have the learning, and your authenticity has returned.
There is a line, however, that you don't want to cross. How can you tell where that line is, and how to stay on the right side of it?
Keys to Inauthentic Learning
• The line you don't want to cross: losing your intention.
It's one thing to lose your voice, or your style, and it's another thing entirely to lose the 'why' of what you are doing. There is, of course, the big Why of why you have your business. But, there can be any number of little 'whys' for different actions:
- Need to make cash flow for the month.
- Want to learn a new critical skill.
- Want to experiment with a new approach.
Example: I recently took a fairly high-priced copywriting course. I noticed that my last few emails haven't sounded 100% like me, and I've gotten people who have emailed me about it, and some unsubscribes.
In the past I would have freaked out. Although I'm sad about the four people who unsubscribed in one day, I know my why: to practice new structures and styles in copywriting. My own voice feels like it has started to return with this newsletter, and, meanwhile, I've grown and learned. That benefits me, my business, and my clients.
It's when you lose your intention that you lose more than your authentic voice. You end up being led down a path you don't want your business to go down. As long as you stay wise with your 'whys' a little inauthenticity here or there won't hurt.
• Action steps •
-- Pick something you've been wanting to learn from someone you consider a master (or at least very, very good.)
-- Pick an honest friend, or three.
-- Give yourself a deadline to learn, appropriate to what you are learning. A week? A month? Two months?
-- Use your friends to help buffer the not-so-fun-feedback that often comes when you risk being inauthentic in order to grow and learn. And to cross check your effectiveness with your authenticity.
Article keywords: Authenticity, Stagnation, Learning from Experts, Monkey See Monkey Do, Effectiveness
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Mark Silver, founder of Heart of Business, is author of Unveiling the Heart of Your Business: How money, marketing and sales can deepen your heart, heal the world, and still add to your bottom line. Get three free chapters of the book online: http://www.heartofbusiness.com
.: New Others Articles
1). Psychic Ability - Fraud Or Gift?
A psychic has some special powers that ordinary people don’t have. Some psychics are able to predict the future, others can communicate with the recently deceased. Some psychics are telepathic, others have the ability to exorcise ghosts.
The police use psychics to help solve crimes, preferably without the media getting to know! The newspapers would have a field day mocking the police investigator who had to resort to a “fortune teller”
Many people secretly believe that ...
2). Native Speakers?
In a recent poll, I asked readers if they thought English language teachers should be native speakers. The result was interesting, as the vote from those with an opinion was close with 48% believing they should be native speakers and 41% saying no. I don’t know what you think about this but I’ve always had mixed feelings.
The first question I would raise with those who believe being a native speaker is an essential prerequisite for an English language teacher is, which nat...
3). Don't Hesitate To Cry A Tear
Growing up, my siblings and I were never aloud to cry even just one tear. No matter how sad, mad or hurt we were, tears were never allowed. We were told that truly tough people didn't shed a tear no matter how bad life got. Tears, our parents said, were for wimps and people who weren't strong enough to handle life.
As I grew into my teenage years, I found it nearly impossible to make it through week after week without crying a single tear. Since I knew my parents would not...
4). I Heard About A Shark Attack
Ever since my children were little, my husband and I have been taking them on beach vacations. So my kids have grown up with an honest love of the ocean. Even my youngest child loves to run by the side of the ocean and to wake up to the sound of the waves. My own childhood was filled with various beach vacations and cruises on the ocean. I have never given safety much of a thought on our family's beach vacations, but last year we heard a story about a shark attack that had ha...
5). What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder And How To Deal With It Now
Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder that is shown by having a grandiose state of mind in young adults. The number of people with this disorder is highly disputed with some theories stating that it can be as high as one percent of
6). Are You Compassionate To Yourself?
We talk of physical abuse. We also talk of emotional abuse. Let us now talk about self-abuse. What is self-abuse?
7). Quiz - Can Money Buy Happiness?
Can riches buy happiness? Wealth can buy many luxuries, but not happiness. Money cannot buy contentment.
.: Top Others Articles
1). CZ Redhead Product Review
CZ redheads are new newest of low cost over under shotguns on the market have higher quality standards than most top of the line brands.
2). Treadmill Vs Elliptical
Should you buy an elliptical trainer or a treadmill? Discover the unique benefits of both elliptical trainers and treadmills to help decide which one is best for you.
3). What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder And How To Deal With It Now
Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder that is shown by having a grandiose state of mind in young adults. The number of people with this disorder is highly disputed with some theories stating that it can be as high as one percent of
4). Build The Knife You Carry - Choose a Great Blank for Your Blade
It's important to choose suitable material for your new blade. There are many choices - select wisely with these tips.
5). Clay Pot Crafts: Make a Bell for the Porch
Clay pot crafts are a cute way to make home decorations. In clay pot crafts, clay flower pots can be crafted into a variety of decorative things that appeal to gardeners. Usually, the crafter begins with new pots.
6). We Teach Others How to Treat Us
Treat yourself with respect and others will follow suit. It is never okay to treat yourself disrespectfully or to allow others to get away with it.
7). Chicago’s Magnificent Miracle Mile – The Hottest Commercial Real Estate in the MidWest
Have you considered doing business on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile? The real estate is expensive, but if you have the right kind of business, you can make a fortune and easily pay those real estate fees.