What is your VERB?
By Alex Mandossian on May 6, 2008
“Cogito, ergo sum” (”I think, therefore I am”) is the philosophical statement first delcared by René Descartes, which soon became one of the most foundational elements in Western philosophy.
According to Wikipedia, the meaning of the phrase is that if someone wonders if he or she exists, that is in and of itself proof of existance..
All philosophy aside, in my view Descartes’ “Verb” was to “Think” and “thinking” is how Descartes defined his existance … it’s what he did to define himself.
During the past year, I’ve asked thousands of my students and colleagues this same question (”What is your Verb?”) and many of the answers I’ve heard have astonished me.
For instance, my literary agent Bonnie Solow says her verb is: “Give.” She “gives” therefore she is.
One of my smartest Internet marketing colleagues and my good friend Eben Pagan, told me his verb was: “Evolve.” Based on this principle then, Eben’s personal and professional life is then defined by how much he “evolves.”
Learning Annex top producing speaker and colleage, Raymond Aaron admitted to me (in a recent limo ride back from the airport) that his verb was undeniably - “Play.” “I PLAY, therefore I am,” he declared with a gleaming smile.
In my view, people are defined by what they “do” (their verb), not by who they are (their noun).
One of the most destructive humans who ever lived, Adolf Hitler, would have chosen a different fate for himself and the rest of the world if his verb was “Paint” … “I paint, therefore I am” … instead of “I conquer, therefore I am.”
Side Note: To fullfil his dream, Adolf Hitler in 1909 moved to Vienna where the Academy of Arts was located. To his own surprise he failed to get admission. Within a year he was living in homeless shelters and eating at charity soup-kitchens.
As for me, my verb is: “Improve.” “I improve, therefore I am” is clearly my reason for existance at this point in my life.
My wife Aimee knows it. My kids know it. My students know it, as do my colleagues and mentors. My “verb” may change in the future, but what defines me right now is to “improve.” (I think Tiger Woods has a similar Verb).
What about you? What’s your Verb?
Click here to scan a list of 104 verb that will stir your mental juices so you can come up with the Verb that’s most fitting for how you define yourself at this moment. Is it: “Build” or “Solve” or “Discover” or “Create” or “Love” or “Listen” or “Grow” or “Explore?”
Whatever your Verb may be, it’s important to think it and feel it daily because your Verb ultimately defines you.
At my Teleseminar Secrets Reunion in 2008, I asked all of my students in the audience what their Verbs were and then had them write on their name badges for the rest of the world to see.
Based on the feedback I got from this brief 20-minute exercise, it was the single most powerful workshop session during the seminar, according to the feedback forms. That’s why I want you to think about what your Verb is right now.
Here’s your simple formula: “I <Your Verb>, therefore I am.”
Just fill in the blank and live into your Verb so you can benefit your personal and professional life.
R. Buckminster Fuller wrote in book, I Seem To Be Verb: ”I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing — a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process — an integral function of the Universe.”
No truer words were ever written. Your life is defined by your Verb. Change your Verb and your life will change.
Hanging from the scissor boom microphone stand on my desk is my name tag from the TeleSeminar Secrets Reunion 2008 - it’s a good daily reminder.
I think my verb is CREATE
My students told me I’d be in trouble if I did not write INSPIRE
So hanging there in front of me as a “motivational reminder” is the phrase
I CREATE AND INSPIRE
Thanks for passing along the idea, Alex!
You had to have two Verbs, didn’t you… ;-)
Thanks Jeff, I couldn’t agree with your student and colleagues more.
As I circle the sun for a sixty-third time, my word is changing from learn to pay back.
One word is a tough choice, but it’s a great exercise, nevertheless.
We also have two Verbs… mind you there are two of us.
Pat’s is Organize.
Lorna’s is Grow.
This was a very powerful session from the Teleseminar Secrets Reunion for us this year.
Thanks so much,
– Pat & Lorna Shanks
http://www.SpectacularPresentations.com
I am sorry Alex…I am going to steal yours…Mine is also ‘Improve’…Be it business or personal….
Alex,
I did a quick poll of some of the folks that know me best. Two words came back - inspire and transform. Therefore, I have a large post it sheet (30″X36″) on my wall with the phrase:
“I inspire transformation” — professionally and personally.
I smile each time I glance at it.
Thanks much for the grins.
Amelia Brazell
Hey Alex,
Great post and loved hearing you speak about it on Podcast Secrets the other day. (A bit of encouragement to other readers - It’s too late for 2008 but if you thought about it and didn’t sign up make sure you grab your seat in 2009. Alex and Paul have put together an awesome program)
Mine is “Align” for me it means to align with my potential and to help others align with their potential.
Love n laughter
Shelley
Alex,
“Authentic”
Matthew Scott
men@pause
I mentor. That means my students accomplish their goals and feel like they did it all by themselves. I just grin in the background.
My verb would have to be - Shine
I shine, therefore I am.
Keep on the sunny side
Trish Cox
I imagine … Therefore I LIVE, DREAM, CREATE and LOVE :)
Wow, Alex is getting really philosophical. It’s nice to experience the depth of you, Alex.
My verb is Wake up, therefore I am.
Daily awakening to the bliss of life there is a fushion of energy as my inner purpose fuels my outer purpose with the life force.
Blue Skies, Open Cockpit,
With Synergy,
Don Gutridge
Alex,
what an inspiring and powerful exercise.
Immensely grateful for it. :)
I will be doing this with my Dream Believe Inspire Team, a group of kids I lead and encourage to be the highest version of themselves at each given moment, and find theirs and see what they see in me.
Can’t wait to share the results. :)
For now, without any family, children, or friends poll….my heart responds: “I am grateful, therefore I am”.
Grateful.
Hugs.
Selma
Have you made a difference in a Child’s life today? Remember, Children are our FUTURE!
My verb would be “inspire”.
And if I could be presumptuous enough to claim a couple more, it would be “inspire, teach and entertain”.
And I have you- Alex- to thank for being able to do a lot more of that than I was doing before I met you!
thanks, Alex
My verb is connect: I connect others, therefore I am.
I like “give,” also–because to connect, we have to give.
Best,
Jeanne
I loved this exercise at your reunion Alex and found it a great way to get to know people instantly.
I inspire - meaning I inspire women to discover their inherent value and live their truth.
http://www.diamondpowernow.com
Alex,
This was my favorite exercise at TSS Reunion. In fact, I’ve added it to the brand development process I do with all my clients. It’s so enlightening to get away from all the adjectives and get down to the business of “OK, but what do you DO?”
My verb is empower.
Thank you, Alex! And see you again next year.
Samantha
Given that I’m a mortgage consultant who has chosen to stick it out despite the difficult times because I love that what I do helps people, my verb would be ’share’.
My verb is “protect.”
I protect myself and show (by example) others how to protect themselves from creeps and criminals.
This protection is mental, verbal, emotional and physical just as attacks may be.
Thanks Alex. It was awesome to see you the other day and I truly appreciate you and the influence you’ve had on my business and life!
Kelly Rudolph
This post made me grin, remembering Calvin, who occasionally explained to Hobbes the rules for “verbing.”
At first I thought, “I connect,” but the drive to connect comes from a deeper place. I connect because I care!
Thanks for asking, Alex!
Bridget Balthrop Morton
Global Tea Parties with Bridget
I sell, therefore I profit…er, am.
I guess mine would be - SHARE
Share what I know…and Share what I don’t know.
Once this happens I can ..learn to grow and create while at the same time inspire others to think how they can improve or change so that their lives will align with balance. And if they in turn share their ideas on how they will transform then mentor me or others then we all in the end will shine!
Peace,
Donna
Thanks Alex for opening up a great subject!
transform while I grow to think
learn, grow, inspire, think, transform, create and
I “impact”, therefore I am.
I LOVED this exercise at the reunion. And I use my verb as a constant reminder that I am here to have a profound impact on the world. Thanks for keeping me connected to my power, my possibility and my purpose.
Keep “improving”,
E
I found a number I relate to.-Of explore, use, gather and utilize — I think the best would be Utilize.
Yes, I gather -and have a number of home businesses in the past, as well as saving a bunch of things- which I’m presently weeding out — but try to utilize the best products and ideas from all systems I have contacted.
Used to be “Think” - then I discovered the need to “do”. So I now identify with “Learn”. That embraces many valued verbs - when learning is seen as much more than the acquisition of knowledge. (That just gives you more to think about.)
I prefer to define “learn” as to gain new knowledge, skills and attitudes THAT RESULT IN CHANGE.
I would hate to think that at the end of my time someone said “He knew a lot, but what did he learn?” That would really have me questioning my existence.
John MacDonald
I also have a blog — on my business experiences — on blogspot.
Hi Alex,
Edifying as usual.
Mine is “accomplish”
Hi Alex
It is a great exercise to find my verb, and it has to be “I Overcome, therefore I am”.
Thanks,
Victoria
My verb is “grow”. I learn how to be a better person everyday and I am able to help others to be better people.
Alex, I think mine is “I facilitate, therefore I am”. Although now that I read what I just wrote, and start to think about it, maybe mine is like Descartes’ after all: “I think therefore I am”.
What do you think Alex? Sounds logical, doesn’t it? Or maybe my verb is, “I analyze, therefore I am”. Probably analyzing too much, don’t you think?
I wonder if I could easily change my werb. In fact, I often wonder and ponder about many things in my life; so maybe it is “I wonder therefore I am”…
Oh well, I could go on forever like that. But I think the above conclusion still holds, there is a lot of thinking going on in my mind. Thus I must be a reincarnation of Descartes (plus I am originally from France)
Dr. Claude Windenberger
http://www.AskDrClaude.com
As profound as Rene Descartes was in stating “I think therefore I am”. Could he have been mistaken? As a matter of belief, I am quite sure I was, long before I ever thought about thinking.
That aside, my verb is, endure. I endure therefore I am.
I serve, therefore I am.
Great question Alex.
Mine is believe.
I believe that all things are possible.
Blessings,
Janelle
Visionaire of OSI Rock Stars
Hi Alex
I love your play with Descartes famous statement. It inspired me to post “Alex Mandossian Plays with a Failed Experiment” on my blog.
At my most inspired my “verb” would be “don’t think” because Descartes insight is the result of a messed up experiment on his part. And a major part of Western philosophy still swings off that mess up.
Thanks
Kerry Atma
I CHOOSE and ACT
Without agency, there is nothing.
OK, it’s official. I’ve confirmed it with my teenage daughter and she agrees….
I inspire, therefore I am.
Love this exercise and this dialogue, Alex! :)
Carolyn Ellis
http://www.ThriveAfterDivorcce.com
ooops.. forgot to mention my daughter’s verb.. Her name is Erin and she informs me:
“I speak, therefore I am”
And yes, I can definitely confirm that is absolutely true!
Carolyn
I bite size information so that my young nephews and nieces can learn what I know, or think I know:-)
I bite size information for fun because learning and sharing the knowledge is a joy:-)
I bite size information to paraphrase Anaise Nin because “I will not be just a tourist in the world of images, just watching images passing by which I cannot live in, make love to, possess as permanent sources of joy and ecstasy.”
I bite size info, therefore I am:-)
Sorry, I’ve just written a bite-sized essay:-)
Don’t dream it do it.
Ok im not going to go on about the secret.
But I had a picture of the perfect boat and car that I wanted and pinned it up above the monitor. I gave myself 2 years to acheive it.
Guess what? 26 months later I had them in my yard. Ok it wasnt exactly 2 years…but still very good.
Dont dream it do it and you can have anything.
When I came to this country, I couldn’t speak a word of English. I didn’t have a penny to my name. All I had were the clothes on my back. Of course, I was only six months old, but nonetheless I overcame these handicaps to become the man I am today.
For my verb I choose SEEK. I am always thinking of things that might be and asking “Why not?” and “What if?”
My verb would be “persist”. I persist, therefore I am.
Thanks Alex.
I RELATE therefore I am.
I ♥ this exercise, Alex. Really helps narrow the focus. Relationships are my passion! ;)
Btw, awesome to see you again at Ray Edwards’ Speed Money Seminar - I loved your presentation on repurposing! I’m off to take action on your strategies now.
I am “curious”, therefore I am.
Curiosity comes from an open, active, and engaged mind, and is a resourceful, emotionally neutral state. That’s where I want to live!
Thanks for a great exercise! Went to the dictionary a few times before I got it right.
More than anything, I just am. Open and flowing. So I would have to say…
I am, therefore I am.
But if I had to choose a verb, it would be…
I create, therefore I am.
Wonderful exercise to see what’s most important to us.
Thank you,
Julie Isaac
I inspire and empower; therefore I am. This is excellent sharing. Thanks, Alex.
Great subject Alex,
After some considerable thought in my past experience, I have boiled it down to ” I teach,
therefore I convert.
Helping people convert themselves and technology from
good to great is my purpose. Thanks for reminding us that a few word can provide great motiviation.
Kevin Bushey
Knowledge Concepts and Solutions LLC
http://www.conversiongeneral.com
Great post Alex. I nurture and therefore empower… new mothers through the Way of Conscious Breastfeeding.
I expanded the concept over on my blog and asked the moms to upgrade their basic verb of breastfeeding to Conscious Breastfeeding by examining their feelings.
Thanks for the inspiration.
[…] Alex Mandossian is one of my favorite teachers. Recently he asked readers of his blog and students “What is your verb? “ It generated a very interesting response from all of us and got me thinking about ‘Conscious Breastfeeding’ as a verb. […]