Exploring the origins, ethics and future of changemaking

Posts Tagged ‘conscious entrepreneurship’

, ,

Beyond ‘disadvantage’: rethinking how we talk

In Language, Personal Reflections on August 4, 2012 at 6:56 pm

I have long been conscious of words, labels and how language can shape our reality. Initially my experience of labels was a personal one. Not just because of my sexuality, but indeed loads of experiences throughout my life have taught me the power and limitation of words.

After some harrowing times, at fifteen I embarked on a quest to reconstruct my world by being careful of how I spoke of myself and what I was prepared to accept from others. I had previously heard teachers and peers at school describe me in ways that I simply accepted and adopted as truth. More insidious were the words I used internally; flowing without filter or question. I was creating my world and reality in every thought.

Later in my twenties I became a teacher and heard this language from the other side. I heard teachers refer to students as bad students, good students, ADHD students, no-hopers, distracted students and more. These words were used so unconsciously and I doubt the users had awareness of their power in shaping the young people they were supposed to be serving.

This understanding of the power of language is not revelatory. The positive psychology Read the rest of this entry »

, ,

Who put the Ego into Entrepreneurship?

In Uncategorized on May 15, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?
Who put the Ego into Entrepreneurship?

One of the most common misunderstandings and judgements that I come across regularly is this strange notion that all entrepreneurs are full of Ego. Well of course, but who isn’t. The thing that I find most puzzling, disturbing and untrue is how it is often said with heavy judgement and loathing.

Ego is simply the identification with or of the self. We all have Ego, how else would we identify with being part of the world.

There are many views on the nature of Ego and its role in our lives. One spiritual view sees that Ego is only an illusion; different and separate from our true or ‘higher self’. For the purpose of this article I will call this ‘higher self’: Soul. In this sense, I don’t have a soul but rather – I AM SOUL. As Soul I have a body that I use for the purpose of living, creating, learning and service in this world. I call this body and identity Benny Callaghan and while this may not always be that pleasant for others, it is useful for me to get around and be part of the world.

Various spiritual teachings, especially those of the East, teach that the goal of life is to transcend the Ego and enter the pure states of being. By doing this we can be active channels for Spirit in the world.

So what has all this got to do with entrepreneurship? Read the rest of this entry »