Sometimes I can be a complete bore.
Last night in a dream, a stranger asked me what I thought about Apple and I did twenty minutes on the subject. Even in my dreams the person was politely trying to get away.
Was that my subconscious trying to tell me something? It’s something that I consciously know, but it’s a good reminder. As you might suspect if you’re a frequent reader of this blog, I have strong opinions about a number of subjects (and if you know me in person I’m sure at some point you’ve played the role of that dream person, trying to get away). I could compile a long list of other topics that would trigger a similar excited soliloquy from me.
But I imagine that I’m not so different from you.
Each of us has ideas and causes that we care deeply about and have thoughts we’d like to share. And we share that frustration of not being able to discuss them with everyone.
I’ve given up evangelism for most causes, simply because I’m tired of boring people. I apologize if you’ve been on the receiving end of one of my rants. But there’s a special joy when you find someone who shares your enthusiasm. So, along those lines, I have a recommendation for you. I’ll try and keep it under twenty minutes.
It comes in two parts:
- Write about your passions. The best way to really test your thoughts, to make sure you’re clear in communicating your ideas, is to write them down, then come back and read them. I recommend NOT publishing your work until you’ve thoroughly tested it. Journal writing is a good way to do this.
- Seek out others who share your passions. It’s easy to do online, but surprisingly simple to find them close to you as well. Find these fellow travelers and let them start talking. I know it will be hard, but you must start with listening. This will allow you to observe, to see what you look and sound like to others. And when you do join in, making it a conversation, you’ll be prepared. A listener is always regarded as wise, at least until they start speaking.
Notice the empty inbox - good GTD form!
You’ll also find something else – you’re probably not the most passionate, geeky, or obsessed person on the subject, whatever the subject may be. I love Star Trek, and to most of my friends I’m their token Trekkie, but I’ve been around true fans and “fanboys” and to them I’m just a guy that likes Star Trek a little (he says as he takes a sip of coffee from his USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A coffee mug). And I’ve been at Macworld Expo for years and I’m nowhere near what a true Apple obsessive can be.
Find an outlet for your passions and save them for that. Your friends will thank you and your new outlets will help you find real connections with others that share your thoughts and ideas.
