I have also been cutting back on my posting lately so as to have time to write and think more deeply.
I appreciate what you pointed out about the difference between persuading and perceiving.
Do you think it's possible to incorporate both effectively? For example, I want to "persuade" people to think differently about their lives and slow down enough to actually live it rather than bustling through it. But I also notice that I would like to incorporate more of my own story and perceptions in my writing as I move forward. Particularly from my experiences as a nurse and as a trauma survivor. I think a mix of these might work well. It can be hard to find just the right mix of personal struggle with trying to convey expertise though. It's a work in progress.
I have also struggled with authenticity vs. audience expectation dichotomy. My content is not typical and I often wonder if it is too "heavy" for people but I also want to be true to myself and write about what I care about. It's a difficult dilemma. I am still trying to find the sweet spot in the middle of all this.
I definitely think there's a need for balance between 'persuasion' and 'perception'. It's true 'Both/And' scenario (in my mind).
And, yes, I can fully relate to the tensions in posting content that may induce some discomfort and thinking for others - and balancing this against wanting to build an engaged group of folks - readers, or 'audience' as some say.
I see this regularly when I post on LinkedIn about 'Bullshit' in workplaces and institutions. Or on topics like rapid climate change and its impacts. It's not the 'light' mindless reading or content that many prefer to read.
It's sort of like the difference between fast food and home-cooked meals (slow food).
I also experienced this directly last week. I gave two 90-minute presentations on Bullshit in academia and the workplace to fellow faculty members. Both sessions were a packed house, with tonnes of engagement, and lots of new connections made.
However, when I post on LinkedIn, it often gets a lukewarm reception. Little warmer this past week, but not the same as others who post the standard empty-calorie platitudes. ;)
One of the other big differences I realized while I was presenting, was that I didn't really give a shit. Not in a dismissive sense, but that my give-a-shit-meter for what other people (or organizations) thought about my content was on E.
I wasn't worried about what a 'boss' might think, or an organizational CEO, or HR, or whatever. And that seems to have come through in how well the presentations were received and the engagement in each session.
Long story longer... I feel that dilemma too, however, have been leaning much more to the 'write what I want to write' as opposed to tying myself in knots trying to 'write what an audience wants' (if that makes sense?).
The result of that is that it'll probably take longer to build up towards what I'd like to build towards. But the benefit of that is a more stable and sustainable structure... not a house of cards because I was chasing what others wanted, not what I was wanting to work on and think about.
Looking forward to seeing more of your writing on the tough, often difficult components of life - especially the complexity of navigating thinking about, preparing for, and navigating death. 🙌
Your presentations sound really interesting, David. And what a wonderful feeling to have your 'give a shit' meter running on empty. That's a good place to be IMO and sounds very freeing. I am also leaning more to 'write what I want to write.' I will eventually find my people. I've already found some. And I look forward to finding more as time goes on. I have resigned myself to the fact that our way of doing things takes a lot longer but what I've also come to realize is that something of quality just simply takes 10x longer than the rest of it. And I'm okay with that. I want to be a cabinetmaker, not the person who puts together your IKEA cupboard. That's just the way it is and I've decided that I'm happy with that. Luckily I haven't quit my day job in the meantime😅.
Thank you so much for your support, David. I really appreciate your encouragement🙏
And to the cabinet-maker that goes out and picks the wood, mills it, ponders it, and works with it. ;)
Just posted the most recent free issue with a bit more info on those presentations.
And, yes, I'm damn thankful to provide consulting services to folks and initiatives I want to work with - not have to. Plus continue to do some part-time instructing, which opens up other opportunities and connections too.
The 'content creation' business is a slow build. And, one filled with so much more meaning than pumping out cheap, filler, cardboard burgers... :)
Looking forward to continuing to read your cabinets-built-from-scratch.
I have also been cutting back on my posting lately so as to have time to write and think more deeply.
I appreciate what you pointed out about the difference between persuading and perceiving.
Do you think it's possible to incorporate both effectively? For example, I want to "persuade" people to think differently about their lives and slow down enough to actually live it rather than bustling through it. But I also notice that I would like to incorporate more of my own story and perceptions in my writing as I move forward. Particularly from my experiences as a nurse and as a trauma survivor. I think a mix of these might work well. It can be hard to find just the right mix of personal struggle with trying to convey expertise though. It's a work in progress.
I have also struggled with authenticity vs. audience expectation dichotomy. My content is not typical and I often wonder if it is too "heavy" for people but I also want to be true to myself and write about what I care about. It's a difficult dilemma. I am still trying to find the sweet spot in the middle of all this.
Thanks for another great article, David!
Thanks for the note Charity.
I hear you on the balancing act - loud and clear!
I definitely think there's a need for balance between 'persuasion' and 'perception'. It's true 'Both/And' scenario (in my mind).
And, yes, I can fully relate to the tensions in posting content that may induce some discomfort and thinking for others - and balancing this against wanting to build an engaged group of folks - readers, or 'audience' as some say.
I see this regularly when I post on LinkedIn about 'Bullshit' in workplaces and institutions. Or on topics like rapid climate change and its impacts. It's not the 'light' mindless reading or content that many prefer to read.
It's sort of like the difference between fast food and home-cooked meals (slow food).
I also experienced this directly last week. I gave two 90-minute presentations on Bullshit in academia and the workplace to fellow faculty members. Both sessions were a packed house, with tonnes of engagement, and lots of new connections made.
However, when I post on LinkedIn, it often gets a lukewarm reception. Little warmer this past week, but not the same as others who post the standard empty-calorie platitudes. ;)
One of the other big differences I realized while I was presenting, was that I didn't really give a shit. Not in a dismissive sense, but that my give-a-shit-meter for what other people (or organizations) thought about my content was on E.
I wasn't worried about what a 'boss' might think, or an organizational CEO, or HR, or whatever. And that seems to have come through in how well the presentations were received and the engagement in each session.
Long story longer... I feel that dilemma too, however, have been leaning much more to the 'write what I want to write' as opposed to tying myself in knots trying to 'write what an audience wants' (if that makes sense?).
The result of that is that it'll probably take longer to build up towards what I'd like to build towards. But the benefit of that is a more stable and sustainable structure... not a house of cards because I was chasing what others wanted, not what I was wanting to work on and think about.
Looking forward to seeing more of your writing on the tough, often difficult components of life - especially the complexity of navigating thinking about, preparing for, and navigating death. 🙌
Your presentations sound really interesting, David. And what a wonderful feeling to have your 'give a shit' meter running on empty. That's a good place to be IMO and sounds very freeing. I am also leaning more to 'write what I want to write.' I will eventually find my people. I've already found some. And I look forward to finding more as time goes on. I have resigned myself to the fact that our way of doing things takes a lot longer but what I've also come to realize is that something of quality just simply takes 10x longer than the rest of it. And I'm okay with that. I want to be a cabinetmaker, not the person who puts together your IKEA cupboard. That's just the way it is and I've decided that I'm happy with that. Luckily I haven't quit my day job in the meantime😅.
Thank you so much for your support, David. I really appreciate your encouragement🙏
🙌 yes to the cabinet-maker!
And to the cabinet-maker that goes out and picks the wood, mills it, ponders it, and works with it. ;)
Just posted the most recent free issue with a bit more info on those presentations.
And, yes, I'm damn thankful to provide consulting services to folks and initiatives I want to work with - not have to. Plus continue to do some part-time instructing, which opens up other opportunities and connections too.
The 'content creation' business is a slow build. And, one filled with so much more meaning than pumping out cheap, filler, cardboard burgers... :)
Looking forward to continuing to read your cabinets-built-from-scratch.
Likewise, David! Can't wait to read the new issue💖