Be Real or…”the authentic and unapologetic you”

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So it’s time to get your Cheryl Lynn on and “Be Real”

I freakin’ love that song and I know a visit to Soul Train only dates my party years but I can still move the right way when I hear that tune! (insert “no rhythm” jokes here)

Do you notice how Cheryl seems so into singing that song? She isn’t embarrassed, isn’t worried, isn’t struggling to remember what to do next? She is being the authentic Cheryl Lynn. Good stuff and yes you can listen to it again while you read the rest of this. Do you suppose when she first recorded that song some of her fans and friends told her it wasn’t any good, but yet she still pursued the hit anyway?

In the continuing search for your Ultimate Career Lifestyle so far we have defined it as your “professional soulmate”. We also discussed the “fear” that comes with pursuing your passion and that it may take you outside your comfort zone. This week, we polish up a bit and try to keep you away from a hideous trap, controlling your image.

Picture this. You have the idea, you dream about it, and then begin to talk about it with friends, and then you go “public” with your intentions. You are poised, excited, and ready to tackle the world with your innovative thinking and career pursuit. And guess what happens next……

The World responds
…..with feedback
…..with negativity
…..with little support
…..with little enthusiasm

And then that “authentic and apologetic you” begins to
…..conform to other’s ideas hoping for acceptance
…..get defensive
…..try to make everyone happy
…..seek approval

Don’t let it happen. Being Real and the “authentic and unapologetic you” is hard work. You are going to be bombarded with people trying to get you to conform to their way of thinking. Stay the course! What you love is the only solution here. It is what drives you, and keeps you getting up every morning fighting to achieve your dream!

You have discovered your Ultimate Career Lifestyle
You have overcome the fear of pursuing it

Now it is time to overcome others judgment of your pursuit of what you love. Some will judge you, some may react with jealousy, some with envy, but you are the entrepreneur of your dream. Be strong and surround yourself with your best and brightest supporters! Throw in a mentor or two to keep you pumped up.

Check out some of these authentic and unapologetic folks!
Amanda Hite
Penelope Trunk
Scott Stratten
Danny Brown
The gals at Looking Glass Lane
Gary Vaynerchuk
Chris Brogan

Be strong, be clear, be real, be you and don’t apologize for it!

Tags: Swingley, UCL, career, dream, job, lifestyle, revolution

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Comment by Joni Thomas Doolin, CEO People Report on August 31, 2009 at 8:21am: Let me add another WOW - just found this and what an amazing way to start a new week - Andy you are personally amazing - because you are proof that there is room - and the need for intrapreneurship in our corporations - real, fresh thinkers, who are not trying to do the same things better or just working harder - you are doing things DIFFERENTLY because you are not afraid to innovate - and not afraid to share your journey inside and outside your biz. Thanks for the thought leadership - and the rockin Cheryl!

Comment by Joni Thomas Doolin, CEO People Report on August 31, 2009 at 8:21am: Let me add another WOW - just found this and what an amazing way to start a new week - Andy you are personally amazing - because you are proof that there is room - and the need for intrapreneurship in our corporations - real, fresh thinkers, who are not trying to do the same things better or just working harder - you are doing things DIFFERENTLY because you are not afraid to innovate - and not afraid to share your journey inside and outside your biz. Thanks for the thought leadership - and the rockin Cheryl!

Comment by Andy Swingley on August 28, 2009 at 9:00pm: @Lissa - there you are! I really miss talking to you. Thanks for commenting and I hope this finds you well!

Comment by Andy Swingley on August 28, 2009 at 8:58pm: @jon - "architect your UCL"....that is a perfect way to describe it. I may steal that one from you!

@Doug-hey it is so good to hear from you. I can only imagine the obstacles you had to overcome and I hold you in high regard on your accomplishments, as always!

@Chip - a theatrical business analogy...only you and so well said!

@Bill - now you are "da man" and I admire you for it and yes, Tribes is a great book!

@Amanda.....damn girl!

Comment by Lissa on August 28, 2009 at 3:53pm: Crabs in a crab pot tend to pull the one who happens to find a way out of the pot back in with them. Tis crab and, unfortunately, human nature. As you pursue your dreams and head for the light, it causes others around you to have to examine thier own fears about pursuing their dreams. Scary stuff! Feedback can be great if it is not seeded with their own stories about why it won't work or advise. Thanks Andy for the inspiration!

Comment by Amanda Hite on August 28, 2009 at 1:16pm: just read this again for an afternoon booster...

Comment by Bill Campion on August 28, 2009 at 12:53pm: WOW Andy I thought I was going to be one of the first to comment! Obviously what you have written has resonated with many of us! I just finished Seth Godin's "Tribes" - a must read for everyone. His perspective supports what you have written to a tee. Dare to be different and stick with it is the basic message. If we listened to the naysayers we wouldn't get out of bed in the morning. It's interesting I worked for the man for 30 plus years and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I could get out of that mode. Here I am two years later pursuing my UCL and I haven't missed a meal - granted the meals have consisted of Ramen Noodles however Filet Mignon is right around the corner. You got me so pumped up today. Thanks so much!

Comment by Chip Becker on August 28, 2009 at 10:15am: One of my favorite musicals, Title Of Show, has a song called "Die Vampire Die" which addresses these exact issues! A Vampire is defined as any person, place, or thing that stands in the way of your creative expression! This teaches us a great technique to help you be authentic...when you feel the type of influences that Andy is talking about, look it in the face and say (out loud, by the way), "Die Vampire, Die"...it's silly, refreshing...and it works!

Once again, Andy, you show why I consider you one of my great mentors...you are awesome!

Chip

Comment by Doug Davis on August 28, 2009 at 9:47am: I agree with Andy, when we embarked upon our business venture with Buffalo Wild Wings everyone thought we were crazy to do so in a down economy. We pressed forward as obstacles tried to get in the way. It was like many people wanted us to fail. When failure is truly not an option you become very resourceful.

Comment by Jon Gillespie on August 28, 2009 at 9:22am: Dead on, Andy. It is hard work to architect the UCL, it takes time, persistance, planning, and resilience. There's no need to tiptoe around that. But it is so, so worth it.