"What's Your Verb?"

by Diane Eble

One of the most enlightening exercises one of my mentors, Alex Mandossian, had us do in a training was figure out what verb describes our essence.

Buckminster Fuller said, "God is a verb." That is biblically accurate. When God revealed himself to Moses, he said he was the ultimate "be" verb: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14).

God's verb is "I AM."

Descartes is famous for saying, "I think, therefore I am." His verb was "think."

What is it you do, that encompasses the essence not only of what you do, but who you are?

Your verb may come to you in a flash ... or you may have to think about it for a while.

Most people I've discussed this with know their verb quickly.

Mine is "connect." I love to connect people with ideas that will inspire them, enlighten them, change them.

I love to connect people with other people who will inspire, teach, encourage, motivate or enlightened them.

And I love to connect people with resources that will make their life easier and better in some way.]

As a book publishing coach and consultant, that's what I'm all about.

As a parent, that's what I'm all about. As a friend, I also find myself trying to connect people with ideas, people and resources that will make their lives better.

So that's my verb. What's yours?

Take a few moments to reflect on this.

It's at the heart of what you have to offer the world, after all.

(And, once you know your own verb, you'll be in the position to pinpoint the verb of your book ... which will lead to a great title and subtitle. More on titling a book here.)