I’ve been thinking about Power lately. And Grammar. Here’s what I mean: when we look back at our past, typically, we focus on what’s happened to us–as determined by circumstances beyond our control–luck, the economy, weather, and the actions of others.
That’s normal, but it’s the passive voice.
Why bring up grammar? Because the passive voice is typically problematic for writing as well as living.
Not sure about the passive vs. the active voice?
An example of active voice is “I build my own career” [the subject of the sentence “I” performs the action expressed in the verb], as opposed to the passive, “My career has been determined by others” [the subject “my career” is being “acted upon” by the verb].
Unclear on the grammar? Take the Quiz.
It’s about agency: who has the power in your sentences, your thinking, your life? Are you the subject or have you abdicated the power to forces outside yourself?
Because the passive voice doesn’t just afflict our writing: passivity is passing the buck, it’s not taking charge or responsibility for our situation and for our future.
The power is in the action. Focus on the doing.
For this week: Celebrate the start of the New Year in the ACTIVE voice! Examine your bio, grant proposals, and your thinking to weed out the passive voice and replace it with the active voice.
Bonus: Watch/listen to flutist entrepreneur’s Claire Chase’s call to action: her energizing 17 minute commencement address at Northwestern. If you’ve seen it before, I’d recommend you watch it again: it’s a terrific anthem for “commencing” 2014.
As always, I’m interested in your feedback and ideas!
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Dream big, Plan smart, Live well!
