I was introduced to Lao Tzu and the Tao almost 25 years ago. The wisdom and thought provoking content contained in this material is incredible. The quote below is one I often used in speeches:
Thirty spokes unite at one hub to make a wheel,
But what is missing makes it useful.
Clay is shaped into a bowl,
But it is the empty space that makes it useful.
Cut out doors and windows make a room,
But its empty space makes it useful.
So, what is there is beneficial –
But what is not there makes things useful.
-Lao Tzu
Think about it.
Now think about it some more.
Powerful stuff.
This has vast applications when you apply it to marketing – and life. So does Art of War by Sun Tzu, of course, along with many more ‘ancient’ texts. The Tao, though, is one of my favorites for getting my head twisted upside down to get my thinking right side up.
The next time you think more words, more bling, more choices and more involvement make for better solutions, consider how you may create something far more powerful by doing less.
Tao Te Ching Daily
One of the benefits of participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge is the opportunity to expand your mind through interesting people with diverse interests, styles and knowledge. When I saw Amy Putkonen’s blog, Tao Te Ching Daily, I popped her a note with three or four paraphrased lines from this quote asking if it sounded familiar. She immediately pointed me to exactly what I was looking for – posted some time ago on her website (it’s been a while since I’ve been doing paid public speaking gigs and have a few gray cells working against me too).
Amy’s created a wonderful idea for a blog. It’s one I will enjoy as I get a daily dose of reminders to help me simplify my life and my thinking. Of course, such a process also helps me get better with writing and marketing activities. Some posts are just quotes (I love these and can spend a lot of time just pondering the meaning as it applies to my life at the moment), but she also takes a lot of time to provide her interpretation and the applications she sees today for what was passed on many yesterday’s ago.
Even if you just read the quotes contained at the top of her blog posts each morning, you’ll find your life richer as a result from the kind of thinking these words prompt. Check out what she’s doing at Tao Te Ching Daily.
8 responses to “What could the Tao possibly have to do with writing and marketing?”
Thank you for this post! I also love Amy’s blog. I also discovered YOUR blog today! I love the UBC, it has allowed me to discover so many new people 🙂
Nice to meet you, Kelly – and welcome! Yes – this is my first time participating in the UBC and it’s been remarkable.
There are many introductory books about Buddhism. My fvroaite is It’s Easier Than You Think by Sylvia Boorstein. It’s warm, witty, and wise qualities cultivated by Buddhist practice. It’s written by a genuine teacher and so it reflects the wisdom and compassion of the Buddhist path. Best of all, it’s short, easy to read, and non-technical.There are many Web sites on Buddhism, but most are sectarian (reflecting the views of a particular teacher or school) while others are dry and boring. I do recommend Buddhanet for a good overview.
Great post, well done.
Thanks Athena. I enjoyed your blog post today on courage. Curious – why do you have the comment function turned off?
You know, Nanette, that this is perfectly attuned to my thoughts right now. I’ll be heading over to Amy’s blog – thank you.
So glad you found it useful. Frankly, I Was excited when I found Amy’s blog. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at the Tao and this will give me a daily dose in small snippets. How fun!