1. When we try to “impress” someone, the ego is active and at work. Which I suspect is why there is tension present for those coming from a place of authenticity to try and impress. On the other hand when coming from a place of honesty and authenticity, that place being our heart, we will leave an “imprint” on others, and we will stay with them. Imprinting is potent and lasting. Impressing is, well I don’t know what it is, but it’s different from imprinting, maybe it’s short-lived or something like that.
2. What I love about honestly human is that it describes our insides and our beingness. Pivot to the Podium described a “doing” vs “being”and is external. The paradox, as you’ve highlighted is that if we want to become more comfortable, expressing ourselves externally, the “podium” if you will, the path is to become more comfortable internally - going deeper and getting closer to our authentic source. Our authentic self.
I admire the clearing you are for others, and the contribution you are to others (and to yourself).
Thank you James. These distinctions you're making are very enlivening and nurturing for me. You've precisely mirrored my thoughts and intent in your own unique and beautiful way. Thank you for taking the time to reflect this back to me. I'm going to review your words, especially about the "being" vs "doing" shift, which is right on the mark. I hadn't been able to explain the felt need for a shift, but you've captured it precisely. Pivot to presence.
"Pivot to the Podium" as a name didn't put fear into me because you were there to help shift from fear to participation.
What I enjoyed about this post and video was witnessing how you strive to distill the essence of your own humanness. It's something you observe in others, including me, and it's a rich experience for me to be immersed in that.
Thank you Eric. I don't think Pivot to the Podium as a name has been a deterrent for anyone who has joined in our sessions, because once you get close to the small community that is forming here it becomes clear it's an entirely safe space. But I suspect that from a distance the name conjures associations that have kept a few people from exploring deeper.
I appreciate your feedback Tommy, and insight into the implicit pressure. Yes, there is that pressure, which is why it's taken me a while to embrace the video medium. It's a whole different skill to speak to an imaginary audience. Broader than speaking, this is a fascinating and important subject for any artist. How do you handle being acknowledged for a skill, a creation, or an art form? As you are experiencing with your writing. If you start to try and behave like an expert, or as if you've arrived somewhere, you're done for, because the lawless and abundant flavor of your beginner's mind gets put in a box, and your passion for discovery is co-opted by the need to perform. And then if you let all that go and stay innocent and true, you're taken to an even higher point of contribution, a greater refinement of your art, and perhaps acknowledged for it, and then must find a way to stay anchored to the untainted impulse of creativity in the face of increasing implicit pressure to be good, or even great, at what you do.
It's unlikely I could convey how meaningful those words are that you just offered. That kind of pure encouragement passing between two people creates new worlds. I have resisted and avoided the video thing for many years, telling myself I would not enjoy it, but discovering that I really really do. I am actually enjoying green eggs and ham. : )
Thank you Henry for your note, glad that you appreciated the thought.
I was thinking about this myself after I wrote it, wondering what the difference is between authority and power. I decided that power is earned and maintained in an atmosphere of fear, while authority is earned in an atmosphere of safety and freedom.
Your assertion felt like a new framing. Because my sense and that of my community is that authenticity comes at a significant cost. The idea that authenticity can create a win is exciting.
And with that statement, it felt like it might be true.
This is an important perspective you offer Henry. The cost of authenticity, the real cost, and the price we imagine we’ll pay are a large factor in braving the territory. It's really the life's work of being human isn't it, sorting out intelligent caution from limiting belief systems. In the end it seems to me that a continuous process of testing by putting a toe outside of our comfort zone is the answer. But I'm thrilled that authenticity as a winning strategy has invaded your imagination!
Thank you Eric. I'm remembering back to the session I did with you, perhaps almost a year ago that helped me to locate it, keep my eye on it, and brave the communication of it. The seeds of our future take some time to sprout.
Wow love this - you got something great here. (I already subscribed by recommendation from Arman Khodadoost.)
The authenticity is something I've been struggling with and trying to find in my writing. I wrote for a while on LinkedIn but felt it removed myself further and further away from my authentic self. I also started a journey on personal growth 2 years ago and it has been life changing, but still figuring out new aspects about myself.
On substack I feel I found a place for my writing to be the closest to who I really am.
Thank you Marie for subscribing and I'm so appreciative of your resonance with the authenticity journey and to have your company here. Yes, there's quite a gap between Linkedin and the engagement here on Substack. I hope we get to have more conversation as time goes on. I'm curious what your new personal growth journey looks like in terms of your focus or the practices your are engaging.
I started a coaching traject 2 years ago for 6 months and learned a lot about mindset and the importance of your thoughts. I was also confronted with my own behaviour - playing the victim, while now I know I am the owner of my own life.
Since then I started writing online, I appreciate and try to be present as much as possible (hugely influenced by the Power of Now from Eckhart Tolle).
I kept feeling something was off though - I felt different mainly on the workfloor because I'm always bored in every 9 to 5 job. I now very recently found out it's because of neurodivergence - being gifted without knowing.
So that's something to accept now and to adapt to. But I have mainly learned that trying to many things at once and forcing myself to hard works in the wrong direction. It's finding a way of speaking my truth here on the internet and in real life.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit, but hope you get what I mean ;)
I'm super curious to read more about your backstory, the headline really intrigued me.
Well, you're speaking to a high-functioning autistic, so there's probably a lot of overlap here in terms of experience. I host a storytelling session every Saturday and it's a small but phenomenally authentic and nurturing group of people. You might want to check it out as I think you'd fit right in and it would help you find and tell your story, both to yourself and others, and you'd hear some other deeply human stories at the same time. You can find the registration link on the last post if you're interested, but no worries if it doesn't work. https://www.pivottothepodium.com/p/theres-a-story-you-have-a-human-obligation
Hi Rick! I'm new to Substack and just found your publication. I resonated with your words immediately - I am an expert at being an honest human! Excited to have found you. I started my Substack journey writing about how I tripped up giving one of my first speeches on a big stage. The experience was not only embarrassing, but also a learning opportunity forme to learn not to be so hard on myself. Looking forward to learning from you.
Loved your article on your talk Cristy, just finished reading it and subscribed to your pub. You're a wonderful writer and with all the juicy life stories you have to tell I'm sure you'll find a lot of friends here. Thank you for introducing yourself and glad to connect.
Forgot to say this earlier, but I am so excited for this rebrand. TBH, I did love Pivot to the Podium, but this is also good and, after this post, I can see why you chose this. It really captures what you're going for!
It never ceases to amaze me how much we learn when learning is not the primary goal of a task... You're realizing something deeply profound about yourself as you lead us on the 52V challenge. I am learning from every zoom call and every video I make, as I'm pushing through my own <don't know what to name those feelings>... Thank you for doing this!
Your participation makes the learning possible Masha, on both sides. There seems to be no top end to the discovery. Thanks for playing the game! I appreciate your enthusiasm, courage, and thoughtfulness.
This feels like a transformation from black and white to living color, like we’ve journeyed into real life with this new focus. There’s such tremendous freedom. It almost feels ecstatic to me how this is unfolding. Like the lid is off.
Thanks Michelle. Visually for Zoom and video I've felt like I was living out of a college dorm room and wanted to create a more visually welcoming atmosphere that feels more like home. It makes a big difference for me too, because it's now a place I really want to be!
I loved the pause and reset at the start of the video and how you shared it with us. Not trying to put on the facade of "Look at me, I'm a perfect presenter!" but rather being, shall I say it, Honestly Human. The rebrand is wonderful and I admire the work you're doing here. I'd really like to attend some of the story sharing days, possibly beginning with this Saturday, to listen, support, and maybe speak. Thanks for doing the work you do, Rick. It inspires and reminds me each week to be pull a little more authenticity out of myself.
Thank you Jack. I was so excited to see you register for Saturday's session. It will be a pleasure to have your good company there, however you feel moved to participate.
...you are making the space brother...building...to be honestly human is to know other humans...and here in your videos and essays you continue to build that knowledge...not only of you, but also us...bravo for the show amigo...
I retired a bit early and am considering my next moves after a year away. I was inspired by your comments on Context, Content and Craft related to “am I living a story worth life”. In that regard I am looking for ways to improve authentic connectedness with family and close friends as a higher priority than what I may/may not do professionally moving forward.
Beautiful Scott. I believe that the need to live a story worthy life is a vastly underrated aspect of authentic connection, with family or anyone else. The kind of small risk taking and challenging of one's comfort zone that is necessary for story worthy living is actually an essential step, because it helps us to first connect with ourselves, which is imperative if we want to connect authentically with others. This subject arises frequently in the group sessions that I lead. You'd be welcome to join us on a Saturday if you'd like to further explore this path.
Rick, so outstanding. Full stop.
The video was a hallmark of the message.
Two things came to mind:
1. When we try to “impress” someone, the ego is active and at work. Which I suspect is why there is tension present for those coming from a place of authenticity to try and impress. On the other hand when coming from a place of honesty and authenticity, that place being our heart, we will leave an “imprint” on others, and we will stay with them. Imprinting is potent and lasting. Impressing is, well I don’t know what it is, but it’s different from imprinting, maybe it’s short-lived or something like that.
2. What I love about honestly human is that it describes our insides and our beingness. Pivot to the Podium described a “doing” vs “being”and is external. The paradox, as you’ve highlighted is that if we want to become more comfortable, expressing ourselves externally, the “podium” if you will, the path is to become more comfortable internally - going deeper and getting closer to our authentic source. Our authentic self.
I admire the clearing you are for others, and the contribution you are to others (and to yourself).
I love you pal.
Thank you James. These distinctions you're making are very enlivening and nurturing for me. You've precisely mirrored my thoughts and intent in your own unique and beautiful way. Thank you for taking the time to reflect this back to me. I'm going to review your words, especially about the "being" vs "doing" shift, which is right on the mark. I hadn't been able to explain the felt need for a shift, but you've captured it precisely. Pivot to presence.
"Pivot to the Podium" as a name didn't put fear into me because you were there to help shift from fear to participation.
What I enjoyed about this post and video was witnessing how you strive to distill the essence of your own humanness. It's something you observe in others, including me, and it's a rich experience for me to be immersed in that.
Thank you Eric. I don't think Pivot to the Podium as a name has been a deterrent for anyone who has joined in our sessions, because once you get close to the small community that is forming here it becomes clear it's an entirely safe space. But I suspect that from a distance the name conjures associations that have kept a few people from exploring deeper.
Beautiful essay and video Rick. So honest. So caring. So life affirming.
I’m sure there’s implicit pressure making a video as your niche is public speaking, but it was exceptional.
Thank you for sharing your gifts (:
I appreciate your feedback Tommy, and insight into the implicit pressure. Yes, there is that pressure, which is why it's taken me a while to embrace the video medium. It's a whole different skill to speak to an imaginary audience. Broader than speaking, this is a fascinating and important subject for any artist. How do you handle being acknowledged for a skill, a creation, or an art form? As you are experiencing with your writing. If you start to try and behave like an expert, or as if you've arrived somewhere, you're done for, because the lawless and abundant flavor of your beginner's mind gets put in a box, and your passion for discovery is co-opted by the need to perform. And then if you let all that go and stay innocent and true, you're taken to an even higher point of contribution, a greater refinement of your art, and perhaps acknowledged for it, and then must find a way to stay anchored to the untainted impulse of creativity in the face of increasing implicit pressure to be good, or even great, at what you do.
‘Passion for discovery is co-opted by need to perform.’ Oh my. What a fundamental, vital distinction. Discovery vs a form of regurgitation.
your reply is so beautiful i'm almost hesitant to respond and ruin it (seems like a good seed for a future essay... if it calls you)
but what i will say is that you're excellent on the video format and if it's something you enjoy, i will keep watching forever (:
It's unlikely I could convey how meaningful those words are that you just offered. That kind of pure encouragement passing between two people creates new worlds. I have resisted and avoided the video thing for many years, telling myself I would not enjoy it, but discovering that I really really do. I am actually enjoying green eggs and ham. : )
The best video I’ve seen this year. Thank you for being so real - and caring.
Thank you Carson. That means a lot coming from you.
Rick, these words stood out to me. I've never heard them before and they spoke most to me: "...authenticity and authority come from the same place."
Thank you Henry for your note, glad that you appreciated the thought.
I was thinking about this myself after I wrote it, wondering what the difference is between authority and power. I decided that power is earned and maintained in an atmosphere of fear, while authority is earned in an atmosphere of safety and freedom.
I agree. The language of power is challenging...
Your assertion felt like a new framing. Because my sense and that of my community is that authenticity comes at a significant cost. The idea that authenticity can create a win is exciting.
And with that statement, it felt like it might be true.
This is an important perspective you offer Henry. The cost of authenticity, the real cost, and the price we imagine we’ll pay are a large factor in braving the territory. It's really the life's work of being human isn't it, sorting out intelligent caution from limiting belief systems. In the end it seems to me that a continuous process of testing by putting a toe outside of our comfort zone is the answer. But I'm thrilled that authenticity as a winning strategy has invaded your imagination!
Well, it's not so much that as it is the idea that authenticity and authority come from the same place. That's a different paradigm.
Rick - I love seeing the evolution of your inner self expressed in this honestly human way.
Thank you Eric. I'm remembering back to the session I did with you, perhaps almost a year ago that helped me to locate it, keep my eye on it, and brave the communication of it. The seeds of our future take some time to sprout.
Cheers, Rick! Sprouting allows for harvesting!
Wow love this - you got something great here. (I already subscribed by recommendation from Arman Khodadoost.)
The authenticity is something I've been struggling with and trying to find in my writing. I wrote for a while on LinkedIn but felt it removed myself further and further away from my authentic self. I also started a journey on personal growth 2 years ago and it has been life changing, but still figuring out new aspects about myself.
On substack I feel I found a place for my writing to be the closest to who I really am.
Looking forward to read more of your work!
Thank you Marie for subscribing and I'm so appreciative of your resonance with the authenticity journey and to have your company here. Yes, there's quite a gap between Linkedin and the engagement here on Substack. I hope we get to have more conversation as time goes on. I'm curious what your new personal growth journey looks like in terms of your focus or the practices your are engaging.
I started a coaching traject 2 years ago for 6 months and learned a lot about mindset and the importance of your thoughts. I was also confronted with my own behaviour - playing the victim, while now I know I am the owner of my own life.
Since then I started writing online, I appreciate and try to be present as much as possible (hugely influenced by the Power of Now from Eckhart Tolle).
I kept feeling something was off though - I felt different mainly on the workfloor because I'm always bored in every 9 to 5 job. I now very recently found out it's because of neurodivergence - being gifted without knowing.
So that's something to accept now and to adapt to. But I have mainly learned that trying to many things at once and forcing myself to hard works in the wrong direction. It's finding a way of speaking my truth here on the internet and in real life.
I feel like I'm rambling a bit, but hope you get what I mean ;)
I'm super curious to read more about your backstory, the headline really intrigued me.
Well, you're speaking to a high-functioning autistic, so there's probably a lot of overlap here in terms of experience. I host a storytelling session every Saturday and it's a small but phenomenally authentic and nurturing group of people. You might want to check it out as I think you'd fit right in and it would help you find and tell your story, both to yourself and others, and you'd hear some other deeply human stories at the same time. You can find the registration link on the last post if you're interested, but no worries if it doesn't work. https://www.pivottothepodium.com/p/theres-a-story-you-have-a-human-obligation
Sounds as a nice place to meet more like minded people. This Saturday I won't be able to join, but hopefully I can make it for the next session.
Hi Rick! I'm new to Substack and just found your publication. I resonated with your words immediately - I am an expert at being an honest human! Excited to have found you. I started my Substack journey writing about how I tripped up giving one of my first speeches on a big stage. The experience was not only embarrassing, but also a learning opportunity forme to learn not to be so hard on myself. Looking forward to learning from you.
Loved your article on your talk Cristy, just finished reading it and subscribed to your pub. You're a wonderful writer and with all the juicy life stories you have to tell I'm sure you'll find a lot of friends here. Thank you for introducing yourself and glad to connect.
As someone getting back into writing ((sigh of relief)) your comment means a lot! Thank you, Rick. Have an amazing week!
Forgot to say this earlier, but I am so excited for this rebrand. TBH, I did love Pivot to the Podium, but this is also good and, after this post, I can see why you chose this. It really captures what you're going for!
thanks Ishan
It never ceases to amaze me how much we learn when learning is not the primary goal of a task... You're realizing something deeply profound about yourself as you lead us on the 52V challenge. I am learning from every zoom call and every video I make, as I'm pushing through my own <don't know what to name those feelings>... Thank you for doing this!
Your participation makes the learning possible Masha, on both sides. There seems to be no top end to the discovery. Thanks for playing the game! I appreciate your enthusiasm, courage, and thoughtfulness.
This feels like a transformation from black and white to living color, like we’ve journeyed into real life with this new focus. There’s such tremendous freedom. It almost feels ecstatic to me how this is unfolding. Like the lid is off.
Thank you Kathy for all of your feedback and conversation about this with me. You were "pivotal" in making the right shift. I'm very grateful.
I’m a big fan of the video! Your background looks amazing by the way. Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Michelle. Visually for Zoom and video I've felt like I was living out of a college dorm room and wanted to create a more visually welcoming atmosphere that feels more like home. It makes a big difference for me too, because it's now a place I really want to be!
I loved the pause and reset at the start of the video and how you shared it with us. Not trying to put on the facade of "Look at me, I'm a perfect presenter!" but rather being, shall I say it, Honestly Human. The rebrand is wonderful and I admire the work you're doing here. I'd really like to attend some of the story sharing days, possibly beginning with this Saturday, to listen, support, and maybe speak. Thanks for doing the work you do, Rick. It inspires and reminds me each week to be pull a little more authenticity out of myself.
Thank you Jack. I was so excited to see you register for Saturday's session. It will be a pleasure to have your good company there, however you feel moved to participate.
...you are making the space brother...building...to be honestly human is to know other humans...and here in your videos and essays you continue to build that knowledge...not only of you, but also us...bravo for the show amigo...
thank you CansaFis
I retired a bit early and am considering my next moves after a year away. I was inspired by your comments on Context, Content and Craft related to “am I living a story worth life”. In that regard I am looking for ways to improve authentic connectedness with family and close friends as a higher priority than what I may/may not do professionally moving forward.
Beautiful Scott. I believe that the need to live a story worthy life is a vastly underrated aspect of authentic connection, with family or anyone else. The kind of small risk taking and challenging of one's comfort zone that is necessary for story worthy living is actually an essential step, because it helps us to first connect with ourselves, which is imperative if we want to connect authentically with others. This subject arises frequently in the group sessions that I lead. You'd be welcome to join us on a Saturday if you'd like to further explore this path.
New to this forum. Love your new direction.
Thank you Scott. Curious what resonates most for you and how it applies to your profession or life circumstance.