Verbs Over Nouns

By bethanngormong, March 7, 2021

Forget the noun, do the verb.

Austin Kleon, in Keep Going

40 Things to Give Up for a Better Life

#16 Titles

I’ve been reading Austin Klein’s book, Keep Going.” So I’m totally stealing this one from him because it hits me right between the eyes.

I want to be a writer. And if I’m really vulnerable, I want to be an artist.

I give too much weight to the titles, to the nouns; and not enough attention to the verbs.

This past year, I’ve been working on that character flaw. I’m doing the writing that it takes to make me a writer. I’m trying to turn myself into someone who writes everyday.

What title do you want for yourself? Can you find a way to turn it around so you are a person who does that action? That’s the only way to earn the title.