by Tara Joyce | Jan 27, 2009 | Innerpreneurship
…so your innerpreneurial dreams can be born.
- Recognize that you have ideas.
Pay attention to the thoughts that enter your mind and be conscious of the ideas that can be found within them.
I finally noticed that a lot of my thoughts were about words and writing, the web and culture. About working on projects and being in solitude. About having a balanced, nomadic career and life.
- Notice when you use the words, “I wish” or “There should be”.
Take notice of the changes you would like to see around you. Be a part of that change.
I noticed that I had always thought, “I wish I was a writer”, but had never admitted it out loud. So I did.
Later I read about innerpreneurship and thought, I should blog about my innerpreneurial experiences. So I did.
- Understand that you, not the idea, will make the difference.
Your idea doesn’t have to be ground-breaking. In fact, it doesn’t have to be new at all. All you need is a secret ingredient (i.e., unique value proposition) that differentiates you from your competitors. Passion is the best secret ingredient in the world.
I realize there are a lot of web consultants out there and better writers.
But I have a passion for conscious business and holistic marketing. And not just working in it and with it but understanding it too. That makes me unique.
- Let the idea brew for a while.
Don’t get carried away in the idea before you take time to mull it over. Note all the concerns you have about your idea. Let your idea germinate as it will likely grow from its original form.
When I first decided to start my business, I wasn’t even focusing on the web. I was focusing more on writing. Writing anything. I took time to think over my business ideas and direction and realized that web marketing was a passion and talent too. My innerpreneurial idea evolved over time.
- Stay positive.
Your inner critic may have some important points to make about your idea but don’t let him take over. Hear what he has to say but do so with a healthy level of skepticism. Your idea will be great, it is just up to you to make it that way.
Ramona, my inner critic, made me realize that focusing on general marketing communications was not right for me. And that my words and ideas, not designs were my stronger talents.
- Flesh out your idea.
Think about how your idea can be shaped to best fit with your personality or the nature of your fantasies.
I developed a business idea that allowed me to be nomadic as my passion for travel equals that of anything else. I knew it was a necessary part of my life.
by Tara Joyce | Jan 22, 2009 | Cultural Creativity
Creative Commons License photo credit: nosha
Sometime I feel like it is impossible for us to find words that we all connect with. Yet, I think that nothing is impossible.
I’ve got a dream to get to space and if you tell me that isn’t possible, I’d ignore you. I’ll get there, just wait and see. I’ll be like Lance Bass, hurtling through space.
But I digress. Let’s get back to the topic at hand.
Finding the Right Words
I am constantly perplexed by how to succinctly describe Cultural Creativity and Innerpreneurship. Which leads me to be constantly perplexed by how to describe myself and what I do.
I know I’m not the only one. In fact just yesterday I read this helpful article from Freelance Switch on How to Describe What You Do. But I feel almost embarrassed to say that I have trouble describing what I do, especially since my “expertise” is suppose to be with words.
But perhaps that is where the problem lies, I over think it too much. I don’t just want words to use, I want the right words to use. I want to use words that make the Cultural Creatives of the world perk up and take notice.
But What Are Those Words?
The Cultural Creative business world needs a unifying language. We need to find the words that excite and energize us. The words make us sit up and say, “yes, that is the type of person and business I want to work with.”
Paul and Sherry stated it clearly in The Cultural Creatives, we need to unify. We need to find each other and work together so that our voice is heard just as loudly as those of the Moderns or Traditionals. But what does our voice sound like?
My Words to Describe Our Voice
When I speak with many of you, one on one, the word creative often comes up.
While we are all creative in the way we think, I don’t think the word universally unites us. Cultural Creatives are not simply the creative people of the world. After all, every human is creative. We can not claim that word as our own.
Our creativity is a major aspect of us but it is not our distinguishing feature. Creativity alone does not explain why we care so deeply about making a difference through our actions, both in business and in life.
What I do think sets us apart is that we are more authentically in tune with our creative selves. We are conscious that our creativity can be used not just to make money but to better ourselves and the planet.
And thus the two words I return to, time and time again, to describe us, our business and our minds is holistic and conscious. For I can not think of any other words that so completely describe what we are.
My Argument for ‘Holistic’ and ‘Conscious’
We have each started businesses because we believe in cultivating both sides of our minds – both the logical and the creative. Both the left and the right – the whole mind – the holistic mind – the elastic mind.
We believe that a human life can be balanced. And we know it is possible. We live it. We exist outside the stormy chaos of the larger world. We strive daily to live a balanced, compassionate life. We see things as part of a bigger picture and we act in ways that harmonize with the greater good. In every action we consider our self, our community and our planet. This way of thinking is know scientifically as Systems Thinking. But I don’t find that term accessible. Holistic thinking, however, works for me.
What Words Work For You?
What words do you use to describe your business and your self? What words could Cultural Creative businesses use to attract you?
What words make you stop and take notice? What words do you connect with?
And finally, am I way off base? Do we even need to have a common language? Does it even matter? Am I nuts? I was talking to myself a lot yesterday…
by Tara Joyce | Jan 20, 2009 | My Journey | What's On My Mind
This blog was created to help the innerpreneurial community grow and prosper. And to truly grow and prosper one must be constantly evolving.
Since starting Rise of the Innerpreneur I’ve had a few ideas of how it could be improved to better serve us all. But before I go an implement them, I wanted to make sure that you think they are a good idea too.
Take the Survey and Tell Me How
I’ve created a very short survey (5 mandatory questions and 2 optional) asking how this blog can better serve you.
Take the Survey
For all those who take the time to fill it out, thank you. I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me. My only wish is for this blog to be as helpful and useful as it can be.
![Deep Thoughts (That Are Not My Own): A Film to Watch, Great Living, and Creative Business Cards]()
by Tara Joyce | Jan 20, 2009 | Self/Business Growth
This week’s open tabs:
- GreenSmithConsulting.com on “The One Film All People in or Interested in Green Business Should See”
Having just recently premiered to rave reviews at the Wild & Scenic film festival, GreenSmithConsulting.com discusses the documentary So Right, So Smart and it’s amazing ability to “quickly and compellingly makes the case for why doing business sustainably is not only needed, but can be exceptionally profitable, even in, or perhaps especially during challenging economic times.”
- ZenHabits.com’s “Socratic Method To Great Living (5 Simple Steps)”
On how one could live an awesome life today just by following Socrates fundamental advice. I know I learned a bunch just by hearing Socrates wisdom in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Of course, for a long time after, I horribly mispronounced his name. “San Dimas High School football rules!”
- ItEvenHasAWatermark.com’s collection of truly creative and beautiful business cards
Design inspiration for those looking to create truly original business cards. Just remember when you print those beautiful babies to use FSC certified paper and waterless printing.
by Tara Joyce | Jan 16, 2009 | Self/Business Growth
For the non-bloggers in our tribe. This article is for those of us who have yet to use the web to speak up. As I mentioned earlier, I am traveling to Nicaragua in late January and I am looking for guest writers to contribute to Rise of the Innerpreneur while I am gone. If you have yet to write for the web, I would be honoured if you would take this opportunity to speak up and share your wisdom with your fellow innerpreneurs.
The web is a funny invention. Many cry that it has ruined writing. That all the CU L8R’s and excessive !!!!!! are a travesty to the English language. But I disagree. As the web is the first medium that has allowed the individual to easily share their unique perspective with the world. Before it, we could only shine our light on those in direct proximity to us.
But now we have computers and Internet connections and the ability to interact with people from all over the world. And even better, we have the ability to share our wisdom with people who are seeking to benefit from it.
No one is forced to read what you publish. If someone is reading your thoughts it is because they actively chose to do so.
But for a lot of us, before we can begin to share, we first need to tame our inner critic. We need to see that speaking up and putting oneself out there for the world to love, hate or ignore, while not easy, is incredibly fulfilling.
The Inner Critic Drone
Why would anyone care to read what I think?
Maybe people will hate it and tell me so.
Maybe I’ll sound stupid. Maybe my writing sucks. Maybe what I write will be obvious and trite.
Or even worse, maybe what I write won’t be perfect. Maybe it won’t be up to the high standards I set for myself.
The Inner & Outer Truth
If you write about something you are passionate about and if you write about it with truth and honesty, it will feel amazing and it will be ‘good enough’. For all it takes to be a good writer is writing your truth.
Remember, no one else is like you. No one else knows exactly what you know and communicates it in the way you do. You have so much wisdom that only you can share.
Your Thoughts Matter
The web has given you the power to share your unique wisdom with a community of people who want to listen. You now have the chance to make a difference in more people’s lives than you ever have before.
You’ll be scared writing that first article (and maybe even the rest after that – I still get anxious each time I publish) but your thoughts will connect with someone, I guarantee it. All it takes authenticity. Writing honestly about what you care about. There are others out there who care just as much and they will find your thoughts and connect with them.
Finding Inspiration to Speak Up
If you have decided to take the step to begin writing online, don’t force it. The ideas will come to you.
Here are a few ways to find inspiration:
• Jot down your thoughts when you read, hear or see something that excites you.
• Be conscious of the conversations you have with others and how your perspective adds value.
• Start small. You don’t have to jump in with both feet. Start by making a comment on an article that you enjoyed. Or writing a review of something creative you appreciated.
If you pay attention you will notice that great ideas come to you every day. You have so much within you that you could write about. You’ve just got to silence that pesky inner critic, he’s a bossy fool anyway.
Speak up and share your wisdom. See the difference your thoughts make on the world.
If I have inspired you and you wish to publish for the first time on Rise of the Innerpreneur, please email me. My only requirements are that your article be related to the general categories I cover on this blog and that you publish between January 28 and February 17. We can chat about this more in depth over email.
It would be a great honour to feature your wisdom.
This article was originally written for New Zealand’s holistic online community, Holistic Living to help its members to speak up.
