Did you know that the Monarch butterfly count was on the rise in Pismo Beach, CA, this Fall? Me neither. I had given up on these beauties. But guess what! Here’s what I saw in my email this morning. And there are people out there whose lives and work are about saving this beautiful butterfly population from extinction.
While my own life’s work isn’t about butterflies, it does touch on saving our people and planet.
A Beautiful State of Mind.
I live in Northern California and know a lot of people who are literally trying to change the world. We’re sort of a magnet for that, here on the Left Coast. You truly can run or work in a business that’s full of meaning for you. You can have a positive impact. In spite of populism, the burning of the Amazon, and the rise of pure greed, I believe we’re at a tipping point.
I have tipped into that kind of business, myself. In fact, I believe that big time, world-changing impacts and innovations come from businesses, large and small. There are thousands of companies in existence that are clearly benefiting our people and planet. You can run a company that’s a thrill to work in. You can care deeply about generating positive change and actually create a brave new world. You can succeed beyond your dreams.
Just one thing. I encourage my friends and clients to think carefully about how they talk or write about it.
I certainly do.
For someone who’s sitting right here, trying to save the world. I know. That sounds grandiose. Which is why I walk a tricky line all the time. When I meet new people, write a blog post, research an article, I put my voice and attitude through a sobriety test. Am I too serious, too sober, too scary? Do I sound judgmental? Do I come across as preachy?
A Voice That Will be Heard.
Since I’m terribly concerned about the state of our world and planet, I might sound like all of the above. Frankly, I’m not a fan of companies that pursue profits over people. But I don’t have to go there. I just do my damnedest to keep my head down, do my best work, and inspire others to do theirs. My life’s work is about creating success for world-changing organizations and companies. These are people that generate positive impacts like sustainable energy, organic food products, disruptive innovation in education. But I like to talk about my work with a light touch, a voice that’s not too heavy-handed or guilt-trippy.
In spite of more wildfires in Northern California this Fall, I remain sunny and optimistic. I’ve been that way since I was four years old, dragging other people’s cats home to play with.
These days, I play with words, and user-friendly voices. I speak in a tone that’s light, fresh, and visual. And, yes, there’s a cat sitting in front of my monitor right now.
That’s What I Want for You, Too.
A tone that hits just the right note for your audience, that gets your ideas across with conviction. That makes what you’re saying or selling easy to like and remember.
You can talk about the millions of gallons of groundwater you save. The trees that are still alive, thanks to your packaging. The plastic you’re replacing. The millions of lives that are better for your social entrepreneurship.
This is your life’s work, and there are so many ways to bring it to life.
We’ll all be better off if we take our life’s work lightly. Yes, it’s serious. Yes, we all mean well and want to change the world for the better. While we step lightly on the earth, let the beauty of what you’re doing shine through. And go easy on yourself. You’re among friends.
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