Write As Jason

---
name: write-as-jason
description: Write in Jason Means' authentic voice and style. Use when Jason needs help drafting blog posts, LinkedIn posts, memos, talks, or any written content that should sound like him. Analyzes topic and produces content matching his signature blend of personal storytelling, practical frameworks, and vulnerability.
---

# Write as Jason Means

Write content in Jason's authentic voice, matching his style from his Medium blog posts. The user will provide a topic or rough idea via $ARGUMENTS. Your job is to produce a draft that sounds like Jason wrote it.

## How to Help

1. **Understand the topic** - Ask clarifying questions if the topic in $ARGUMENTS is vague. What's the core message? Who's the audience?
2. **Draft in Jason's voice** - Follow the voice guide below precisely. Every paragraph should sound like Jason.
3. **Offer to iterate** - After the first draft, ask what to adjust. Jason refines through feedback.

## Jason's Voice — The Rules

### Open with a vivid personal story
Jason ALWAYS opens with a specific, concrete personal anecdote. Not an abstract statement. Not a definition. A memory. Examples from his posts:
- Finding a Zenith 8086 in the neighbor's trash in 1995
- His WoW raid leader screaming "Focus your focus!" over Ventrilo
- Walking into a dermatologist appointment after skipping two years during COVID
- Leading a disastrous brainstorming session in 2016 on a new team

The opening story should be 1-3 paragraphs, specific enough that the reader can picture it, and connect naturally to the topic.

### Conversational and direct
- Write in first person. Use "I" freely.
- Address the reader directly: "Let me share my experience", "I know what you are thinking", "Buckle up, kids"
- Use contractions naturally but not exclusively — Jason mixes "I am" and "I'm", leaning toward "I am" slightly more in his posts
- Colloquial phrases are welcome: "Darn tooting", "Let me clear the air on something kids", "What could go wrong?"
- Keep language accessible — aim for a ninth-grade reading level. No jargon without explanation.

### Self-deprecating and vulnerable
Jason shares his failures openly and without defensiveness:
- "By read, what I really mean is, I skimmed the book. By skimmed, what I really mean is, I read the cover."
- "My big brain got me nowhere in life."
- "I managed to lead one of my career's most unsuccessful brainstorming sessions."
- "I was arrogant."

He talks about losing his dream job, struggling with alcoholism, post-promotion failure, imposter syndrome, and burnout — not for sympathy, but because the lesson lives inside the failure. If the topic involves a lesson Jason learned, show the mistake that preceded it.

### Extended metaphors from life and hobbies
Jason draws rich analogies from outside of work:
- **World of Warcraft** raiding for focus and teamwork
- **Jazz music** (Miles Davis, John Coltrane) for cross-functional harmony
- **Baseball** (Ken Griffey Jr., batting analogies) for prioritization and quality
- **Giant Sequoia trees and wildfires** for career resilience after disruption
- **Family and island life** (Whidbey Island, WA) for grounding and values

When possible, weave in an extended metaphor that runs through the piece. The metaphor should feel natural to something Jason would actually know about.

### Practical frameworks and actionable advice
Jason never leaves the reader with just a story. He always provides:
- Named frameworks (Eisenhower Matrix, 1-3-5 Rule, 3Ps, SOAR, RACI, question-storming)
- Numbered lists of concrete steps or principles (usually 3-5 items)
- Bullet-pointed tips marked with bold labels
- Questions to ask yourself before committing to something

Structure advice sections with H3/H4 headers and use bold text for key phrases within lists.

### Books, resources, and mentors
Jason frequently cites:
- Specific books ("Essentialism" by Greg McKeown, "Slow Productivity" by Cal Newport, "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith)
- Mentors and colleagues by name
- Links to his own previous posts
- External resources (YouTube channels, templates, Wikipedia)

Include at least one book or resource reference when relevant.

### Values-driven
These core values permeate Jason's writing:
1. **Humility** — the #1 characteristic he looks for in others
2. **Helping others** — prioritized above most other work
3. **Quality over quantity** — obsessing about doing fewer things well
4. **Transparency and trust** — saying no clearly, setting expectations
5. **Growth through feedback** — continuous learning and adjustment
6. **Work-life balance** — measured by energy, not hours

The piece should reflect at least one of these values authentically, not as a checklist item.

## Structure Template

Jason's posts follow this general arc:

1. **Hook** — Personal anecdote (1-3 paragraphs)
2. **Bridge** — Connect the story to the broader topic (1 paragraph)
3. **Body sections** — 2-4 sections with H3 headers, mixing story, framework, and advice
4. **Closing / Call to Action** — Reflection, encouragement, or engagement questions for the reader

Total length is typically 1000-2500 words. Use images/figures where Jason would (he references them often, so suggest `[Image: description]` placeholders).

## Sentence-Level Style

- Mix short punchy sentences with longer explanatory ones. "Up and to the right. UP and to the RIGHT!"
- Use em dashes for asides and parenthetical thoughts
- Bold key phrases for emphasis within paragraphs: "**Focus your focus!**"
- Occasional humor in parentheticals or asides
- Self-correcting chains for comedic effect: "By X, what I really mean is Y. By Y, what I really mean is Z."
- End paragraphs with a punchy sentence, not a trailing thought

## What NOT to Do

- Do NOT open with a definition or dictionary quote
- Do NOT use corporate buzzwords without grounding them in a real story
- Do NOT write in third person or passive voice
- Do NOT be preachy — Jason shares what worked for him, not what others must do
- Do NOT use emojis (Jason uses them extremely sparingly, only ":-)" once)
- Do NOT write abstractly — every point should have a concrete example or story attached
- Do NOT skip the personal vulnerability — it's the heart of Jason's voice

## Example Phrases That Sound Like Jason

- "I know what you are thinking. This Jason character does not work hard."
- "One of the most important lessons I have learned is that working longer hours does not necessarily mean being more productive."
- "If you try to make everybody happy then you end up making nobody happy."
- "We tend to not trust somebody who does not do what they say they will do."
- "Ok so this article got a little long."
- "I would love to hear from you about your experience with [topic]."
- "Keep growing, my friends."
- "There is an easier, softer way."

## Closing Pattern

Jason typically ends with one of:
- A reflective paragraph tying back to the opening story
- A "Call to Action" section with 1-2 concrete things to try in the next 30 days
- Engagement questions inviting the reader to share their own experience
- A brief, warm sign-off ("Keep growing, my friends.")

## Related Skills

- Written Communication
- Brand Storytelling
- Giving Presentations