So maybe you're a subject matter expert. But does that automatically mean you can teach someone else what you know? In Part 3 of Questioning Authority, let's look at the idea of the "expert blindspot," and how knowing something and teaching something are often two different somethings.
Read MoreYou know what you know, right? But do you know what you don't know? How confident are you in determining your own level of expertise and authority on a subject? In this post we take a look at the Dunning-Kruger effect, and how it impacts our estimation of our own competency and level of skill.
Read MoreI'm a writer. I know, I know ... shocker. But there are nuances to being a writer that some people never consider.
For starters, a writer often has to quickly make him or herself an "authority" on a topic, using source material to gain an inside perspective, to write about it in a way that resonates with and conveys meaning to the reader. We become "on the fly experts." It's part of the job.
And that's a job I've done since I was very young. I've made a career of it. I teach other people to do it, and to get better at it, to leverage that ability to build or improve their business and their lives. It's a core belief—something I don't question. And yet, recently I've been challenged on that belief, and it has me thinking.
Read MoreSometimes the message we hold back is the one people want to read the most.
Read MoreWriting is hard. Keeping at it can be exhausting. Remember where your personal strength comes from, and go there often. Mine is God. I hope yours is too.
If you don't have a source of strength and courage, to help you write or to help you keep moving forward in any part of your life or career, talk to me. I'll introduce you to mine.
Read MoreA few years ago, I heard about a piece of software called Scrivener, which was getting some buzz as a great tool for helping people write books. It wasn't very expensive—about $40. So I bought it, installed it, and tinkered with the tutorials.
I had to admit, it was pretty cool. Having the ability to put all these different file types into the same "environment," to be able to organize what I was writing by moving around virtual index cards, and then compiling what I created into whatever format I wanted—it was cool. Better than cool, I could definitely see how it would change everything for my writing career. I could see, instantly and without doubt, that Scrivener could make me the kind of writer I was born to be. It was a powerful tool that could reshape my career.
So I ignored it for about five years.
Read MoreThe theme for today, in my personal study and development, is “contentment.”
That’s not something I’ve really cultivated in my life. In fact, if I remember right, I’ve literally said the words, “I’ll never be content.” Because, to date, my perception of contentment was that it meant you are giving up on growth. You are willing to take only what you have, and never go for more. It meant lack of ambition.
But I don’t think that’s right. In fact, I know it isn’t. There’s more to contentment than that.
Read MoreThis morning I've spent some time making lists—my skills, my resources, what I love doing. It's a good practice to take stock every now and then, because you can find a few threads in the knotwork that you never knew were there. I've committed to doing this regularly, any time I feel like I need a bit of inspiration, because it gives me a quick jolt of energy and passion. It's a great practice to get into, and it can help you figure some stuff out.
Read MoreAnxious? Irritated? Stressed?
Happy? Excited? Driven?
What do you feel, when you think of writing? And why do you believe you feel that way?
Contact me, comment on this post, or call me at 281-809-WORD (9673) to tell me what you feel and why. I'll read or play your comment on the Wordslinger Podcast, and I'll give you my own thoughts on the subject.
Because how we feel about writing determines how well we use it to shape our careers and our lives.
So when you think about writing, what does it make you feel?
Read MoreCongratulations to Lisa Brown of Camino, California! She's the winner of the Kindle fire HD6 giveaway!
Lisa, your Kindle is on its way! And if you want to fill it with some amazing fiction, why not visit my books page? Because self promotion, that's why.
Thanks again to everyone who entered! You may not have won this time, but there will definitely be more giveaways and more freebies in the future. So stay tuned!
Read MoreI kind of cringe just looking at this. It took three tries to write it. Or right it? Now I'm questioning all reality.
Good writing is good editing. I know that has to be a quote from someone, but Google hasn't helped me narrow it down much. So I hereby claim it in the name of all things Kevin, and proclaim it to be true and worthy. Get an editor.
Read MoreWriting is one of the most potent and powerful things you can do to improve your life, your career, and your business. Here's a single, powerful bit of wisdom from Octavia Butler that can change everything about how you perceive and practice writing in your life.
Read MoreEver wanted to be a copywriter? Or maybe just improve your copywriting skills for your own reasons? In this video I give you three tips for creating copy that really resonates with your reader. If you like this and want more on how to build a copywriting business, or any other kind of authority business, chat me up.
Read MoreI've been blessed with a pretty cool gift. It's kind of amazing, when I think back on it, how not only my whole career but my whole life has been shaped by this thing I do—this super power I have.
I'm telepathic.
Read MoreYour mission statement is more than just something clever to put on your website. It's a reminder of your "why." Why are you in business? Why are you doing so much? Why are you trying so hard? Why should you keep going when things stacking up against you?
Read on to check out the mission statement of Kosmos Coffee, and see how you can build your own mission statement to help build, shape, and grow your business.
Read MoreWant to help me shape a series of courses, products, books, and other resources for helping you improve your copywriting skill, or even build a copywriting business?
And you can read the rest of this post for more on what I'm planning, and how you can help!
Read MoreQuestion: How do you make selling benefit the other guy as much as it benefits you?
I'm asking for a friend.
Actually, I'm asking because I had an experience yesterday that brought the whole concept of "selling" into sharp focus for me, and I learned something from it that I think is good to share. Because I think a lot of us have "selling" all wrong.
Read MoreThere are days (maybe this is one of them) when you wonder if it's all worth the effort. You ask yourself if it's really worth putting in the time and energy to do what you're trying to do. Sometimes the answer you get back is "no." And you move on to something else.
More often, the answer is "yes." And that's when you have to stop and think about how far you've already come. At some point you had to start, and when you did you started with a lot less than you have today.
Take stock of what you have. Look at your resources, your inspirations, your insights. List it out, and look it over from top to bottom. And do that again, when you start feeling that things are too heavy, and that you don't know how you'll go on. Remind yourself that you were an egg yesterday. Now get crackin'.
Read More"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
— Albert Einstein
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