It’s Sunday, my friend. Welcome to Pursuing Progress.
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There is real power to building in public. Since I started writing online, a stream of new opportunities, new friends, and new ideas consistently flow into my lap. I’ve met video producers, podcast hosts, online teachers, writers, consultants, and gurus, the list goes on. They’ve been kind enough to share their stories, their motivations, and their vision for Twitter and gave me the opportunity to do the same. I’d like to think my counterparts are gaining as much value as I am. But I can’t help but feel the imposter syndrome settle in. What the hell do I know? Where’s my credibility? Do I deserve any of this?
I don’t know.
But what I am sure of, is these 2 months online have been some of the most fun I’ve had in a while. I continue to meet amazing creators, get to put my ideas out into the world, have the opportunity to build an online course and I’m loving every second of it.
Speaking of the online course, Performative Speaking, my friend Brandon Zhang wrote a thread on his motivations for taking the course. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to DM me on Twitter or set up a call!
I truly appreciate every single one of y’all who takes time out of your Sunday to spend it with me. You’re a real one.
Till next Sunday,
Sean
Now, the rest of Pursuing Progress.
1. I’m the worst trivia player…and I know exactly why.
I always saw speaking as a butter knife, a one-dimensional tool that gets you the desired outcome. Now, I see speaking as a power-tool — extremely versatile with the power to bend the mind. Most don’t realize the power of their words until someone tells them. I certainly didn’t until this past weekend when Robbie explained to me that holding a conversation, expressing yourself with confidence, and persuading someone is a skill foreign to many. I’m not saying I possess this skill, far from it. But talking comes so naturally that I don’t see it as a skill, it’s just part of me.
Speaking is like a trident: Confidence, Authenticity, and Persuasion.
Confidence is your signal to the listener. Without it, they won’t buy into your message because you’re not signaling that you believe in it.
Authenticity is your soul. You can’t fake your soul and the listener will catch you immediately. Speak to what is true to you, not what they want to hear.
Persuasion is the final spear. It boils down to your ability to sell. Why should they act on what you’re saying? Answer that, and you’re golden.
Robbie’s CAP system has allowed him to deliver results as a trial lawyer and I’m excited to learn more about these methods in his course.
2. Miami Heat are DAWGS
The Miami Heat are down 2-0 in the NBA Finals which is a sweep already (time just hasn’t caught up yet). But there is no denying the grit, determination, and perseverance of this squad. As the 5th seed in the East, they’ve had to go through the Pacers, Bucks, and Celtics. Erik Spoelstra, one of my favorite NBA coaches, continues to prove that he is a mastermind of the game. He puts his players in positions that maximize their potential with every other player on the floor. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro have been shooting lights out but have fallen short this series. I just hope Bam comes back so it’s a little more of a contest.
Regardless, I’ve loved watching this team play. They were not supposed to be here. Yet, they are. Why? Cause they some DAWGS. Be like the Heat as you crush your week.
3. This quote from Jacob Riis
“Look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”
One of my favorite quotes for consistency and compounding. All it takes is one: DM, article, job, podcast, to put you on a new trajectory of life. Just one.
Keep taking your shots and one might go in. MAYBE. But you won’t know unless you shoot. Never stop shooting, my shooters :)
In case you missed it:
[Freestyle Friday] Number 5 out this Friday. Trying to mix it up a little bit.
[Team Thread] As I build the Performative Speaking community, I’m thinking about what makes good teams great. This is going to be a powerful community, but I need to know how to get there. This thread might help.
That’s all for this week’s Pursuing Progress.
Don’t forget to learn more about the Performative Speaking Course.
Thanks for spending your time and attention this Sunday with me. I appreciate you very much.
Find me on Twitter: @SeenConnors
Check out my website I built on Notion: seenconnors.com
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I’ll talk to you next Sunday.
Cheers.