You're My Kind of Whackjob | Rise of the Innerpreneur

After a year and a half of writing this blog, it still seems odd to me that I share my most personal thoughts with world. See, I’ve always considered myself a private person, as I keep my feelings close to my chest, dealing them out only to those few, dear people closest to me. I’ve never really felt safe opening up to people, and I felt a sense of contentment with my story staying mine, alone.

You actually care?

When I first heard about blogging I couldn’t understand why anyone:

Would think someone else cares enough about their thoughts to publish them
Would want to read some random person’s thoughts

My reaction made perfect sense as I held the belief that an average person (like me) had no business broadcasting their thoughts, as they were insignificant, trivial and without value. I couldn’t imagine what kind of whackjob would actually care what I had to say.

The web is personal, so I better be

I still struggle with this idea. Being open doesn’t come that naturally to me. In fact, when I first decided to write this blog, I thought I would write it under a pseudonym, like J.D. Salinger. I didn’t want you to know it was me. Then I came to understand that the web is a table for two, and that the connection I have with you is only made possible by sharing my Self and my story. Without it, I have no voice, and, duh, my voice is my greatest tool. Whether I like it or not, this blog is about me. And I need to get comfortable with that.

When I write now, I often need to remind myself to be more personal. I still work to silence the little fearful voice that screams “no one cares”.

Sit down and stay a while

What I’ve found so freeing about becoming more public is that in this little corner of the web, at the table I’ve set up, I draw people like you, and you have helped me create an environment where I feel safe to open up entirely and let my voice sing.

photo by: numstead

Other articles that might tickle your fancy:

You like it? You really like it?
Email It | Tweet It | Stumble It | Save to Delicious | Save to FaceBook

Stephen Grant-Jones

Thanks for sharing, I'm about to send this link to our members who haven't found their voice yet.

If you want to do another guest post let me know :)

Tara Joyce

Stephen, awesome, thank you for sharing it. I'd love to do another
guest post -- I'll email you.

susiemanning

Tara,
I feel like I've known you all my life, especially with this piece. I just started a blog and with your words here I can breathe a sign of relief that I can be personal. It's much more comfortable and I write the way I talk. So, I'll pull up a chair and write my second installment to my blog....but more importantly, I'll let people know that I actually wrote...that way perhaps people will read it. Still learning this social media stuff, but with each new thing I feel that I'm closer to people on this huge internet. The world is getting teeny-er, just a couple of trillion people on the internet at one time...

And you make being a whackjob somewhat cool. Thanks.
Later...

Tara Joyce

Susie,

Thank you so much... isn't it amazing how connected we can feel to
someone we have never met just through experiencing their voice, in
whatever form it comes in, be it pictures, words, videos, etc.? The
web is truly an amazing tool that we are only beginning to understand
the awesome power of. And I know it's strange to adjust to this new
idea... the idea that business is personal. For so long we have been
told to appear bigger than we are and now the tables are turning,
returning to a marketplace where connections, craft and the community
surrounding these things are the most important tools one can have.
I'm so glad I have inspired you to write more personally, I can't wait
to see where it takes you and your business.

HERO

Tara, -Welcome back from abroad adventures. I hope you don't feel too busy not to pray!
I was reflecting 'Your kind of Whack job , when it struck me that it strongly correlates with success and going beyond busyness, so I thought that asking a few questions wouldn't hurt.'
-What do you loose when you are permanently busy?
-What would you do if you were,n that busy?
-What did your business help you to avoid?
-What is your business defending against?
-How could you become less busy and more successful?
-What good /interesting things could happen if you decided to give up some permanent business?(The more time you devote to this question, the more valuable answers it will give you).
When was the last time you thought deeply about what you really value? As a tip, please reflect upon the following success intelligence values.
-What do I really value about my life?
-What do you really value about your work?; and,
-What do I really value about my relationships?
Write your values so that you can refer to them regularly for guidance and inspiration.Reflect on how you can use your time wisely in work and life and be of more value.

Tara Joyce

Mike, these are some really good and tough questions. I will attempt
to answer them:

1. What I loose when I am permanently busy -- inner peace and time for
reflection
2. What I'd do if I weren't that busy -- read, explore, practice yoga,
meditate
3. What my business helps me avoid -- losing my freedom and voice
4. What my business defends -- meaningful, personal business ownership
5. I could be less busy and more successful if -- I developed streams
of passive income
6. If I gave up some permanent business cool things that could happen
are -- I'd have more time to write and pursue the many projects
floating around in my head... but again, these things relate to my
business so perhaps there isn't any business I would like to give up.
7. The last time I thought about what I really value -- hmm, 15
minutes ago;) I'm always thinking about this.
8. What I really value in my life -- my individuality, my freedom, my
family, my personal connections, exploration, compassion,
spirituality, my work
9. What I really value about my work -- is it's ability to make my
dreams come true and honour my values.
10. What I really value about my relationships -- the support, love
and honesty

timbursch

Tara,
Thank you for sharing your voice. We need your voice. And we need more like yours.
Glad that you invited me to the table.
Cheers!
Tim