When we graduate and enter the “real world”, there is so much expectation put on us on how to sound, how to talk, which words to use, and which words to not use — GAH — I hate all of it. It’s averaged us out, adding uncomfortable layers to our professional wardrobe that make us look…well, all the same. It’s my new mission to help people disrobe from the facades we’ve been told to wear.
I recently had the honor of sitting down with Hussein Al-Baiaty on his podcast, Rising Authors, and whew buddy, I loved every second of it! Specifically because we went deep into why corporate nature is crap and how we can free ourselves from it.
Stop letting others dictate who you are in your writing.
The problem is: As we turn into adults, we do the "adulting” thing. The corporate world tells us to put up walls, separate our personal life from our professional life, and button up all the things. We worry that if we share too much, we're getting too personal at work. Nuh uh, can’t go there.
But hiding behind this facade we’ve been told to build makes our relationships — and our writing — generic.
Hussein stuck the pin perfectly: "Corporate did its thing and then AI just took it to the next level". AI can write for you, but it strips away your personality, emotion, experiences, and your unique humanness. It’s like the crappy corporate nature in which we’ve been trained to conform ON STEROIDS.
The micro-lesson: That separation between your professional and personal self? It’s baloney. It is ridiculous for us to try to compartmentalize ourselves like that because it’s not natural and it forges some pretty disingenuous relationships and experiences. So why write like that?
If you want to stop wearing the gray wardrobes that corporate and AI tell us to don, you have to bridge the gap between your personal stories, memories, experiences, opinions, and you betcha, your work. Stop trying to mimic the people around you. Take off the stuffy, buttoned-up professional look and just be your daggone self.
This matters because: Embracing who you are — childhood roots, unique lived experiences, or in my case, my Appalachian slang — is your greatest asset because it differentiates you from every single person on this planet. There is no one else who can claim exactly what you have. So dress yourself as yourself — and flaunt it!
When you tie your ordinary, messy, human moments into your writing, it resonates. Like, they-can’t-stop-staring-at-your-awesomeness, resonates.
Put it into practice: This week, I want you to:
Drop all of the facades that you’ve layered on yourself. Stop comparing yourself to others and wondering how you measure up. Imposter syndrome is real, and I’m telling you right now to throw it in the trash because YOU ARE WORTH GOLD to at least one other person who is breathing air right now (and I bet way more than just one).
The next time you sit down to write an email, a LinkedIn post, a memo, or even a text message, stop worrying about appeasing everyone. Just be real, genuine, kind, and show off your personality. Write in a way that makes the reader feel like they can see the color of your beautiful, color-flecked eyes.
Want to hear the rest of our conversation? If you want to hear more about how to unlearn these corporate habits, the best tips for clarity in communication, and why I believe your story is worth telling, grab a muffin and listen to the full episode: Your Story Doesn't Need to Go Viral to Matter — Rising Authors.
How’d it go? How many facade layers did you have to take off this week? What type of personality details did you weave into your communication? Hit reply and let me know — I read and respond to every reply. And if you want to explore a partnership with me as a ghostwriter or writing coach to help you unearth your natural voice, schedule a virtual smoothie chat with me to learn the true color of my eyes.
P.S. Random Things I’m Loving This Week
(These are not sponsors or affiliate links… just things I genuinely enjoy and want to share with you!)
Business Insurance — OK, I’m not really loving this one, but I am thankful for it. I’ve recently had to get a new plan and it’s cheaper than the old one for the same liability coverage. I do love having an insurance broker so I don’t have to do the hard work of finding a plan on my own.
Birthdays — Both of my boys have later-summer birthdays and I’m so grateful for another year with them…and my ability to spoil the crap outta of ‘em.
LinkedIn Voice Notes – If you’ve connected with me on LinkedIn recently, you’ve received a direct message from me saying hi! I love to personally reach out and try to build a relationship. Someone responded with voice notes and I loved hearing a voice! I may start doing that soon…
Puppy-sitting – My kids want a dog. I don’t want another thing to take care of. The solution? Puppy sitting! We have a mini golden doodle for the week while my friends are on vacation.
