December 10, 2009PowerPhrase: This is an exciting project!
Some of the people I work with are all business. But others are more fun. I can tell my new editor at McGraw Hill hasn’t lost his juice by things he says here and there. Like his comment on a new proposal. He noted,
- This is an exciting project!
Sometimes I get the sense that people think I’m unprofessional for being emotionally engaged. That real pros would only make a comment like “this will be lucrative.” But for me and others like me, just a few words – five in this case – add another dimension to work. I’m not a writing machine cranking away an impersonal product. It is way more fun to work with people who see you as an individual and are willing to share some humanity.
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Working without some excitement, some humor, some playfulness—in short, some humanity, as you describe it—is irredeemably dull, in my opinion. I think many, if not most, of us spend most of our waking hours working, and I’ve read studies that come to the same conclusion. If you can’t enjoy it, heck, maybe a new line of work is in order. Why not enjoy it? Why not let others know you do? One of the reasons I enjoy your work so much is that YOU seem to enjoy your work so much. You come across as engaged, interested, and interesting, and that’s someone I want to work with and learn from.
Comment by Kelly Graham — December 16, 2009 @ 5:33 pm
Oh, Kelly, I am so grateful for your comment about me. Yes, I DO enjoy my work. And it has afforded me a nice level of success. Perhaps I could have a higher level of success if I followed some proven formula that isn’t me, appealed to the instant gratification desires and advised clever aggression which some people want. But it wouldn’t be fun or authentic!
I visited Tama Kieve’s website that says “If you’re THIS successful doing work you DON’T love, what could you do with work you DO love?”
Well, the story isn’t over yet, so we will find out!
Comment by merylrunion — December 18, 2009 @ 8:41 am
As an update, apparently now everyone on the whole editorial board reviewing the proposal is “very excited” about the project. Never mind that they asked us to redo the entire table of contents to target a different reader. I’m working with my friend Wendy on this, and we LOVE the enthusiasm and the engagement. This is my 5th project with a major publisher and we agree, feeling involvement makes a world of difference.
Comment by merylrunion — December 18, 2009 @ 8:47 am
“Attitudes are contagious, are yours worth catching?”
This is my favorite quote. I have worked with dull professionals, and slimy sales representatives. Being in an enthusiastic, exciting environment is irreplaceable.
Comment by Ashley — December 20, 2009 @ 1:18 pm