Comments on: Defining My Place, Part V: Modesty is a Virtue http://brassblogs.com/blog/defining-my-place-part-v-modesty-is-a-virtue Web Design located in Simsbury (a suburb of Hartford) CT Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:35:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Aithene http://brassblogs.com/blog/defining-my-place-part-v-modesty-is-a-virtue#comment-204 Aithene Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:39:46 +0000 http://brassblogs.com/?p=152#comment-204 Kind of off-topic just a bit, but one thing jumped out at me about not thinking of yourself as an expert. Most of us get so focused on looking ahead (or up, if you think of a ladder) that we forget to occasionally look behind and see how far we've come. There will ALWAYS be people better than us at something, even in our own fields. Its far too easy to specialize, and our own experiences tend to make us stronger in some areas, but not in other related areas. Quite simply, its far to see others as experts, which diminishes our own view of ourselves. The real thing to look at, though, is where you've come from. Look behind. When you see how much ground you've already covered, you can see how, to people far behind you, you ARE an expert. You have knowledge you can share, at least to get them to where you are. You have experience that they lack, contacts that they don't, and abilities they are just starting to work on. When it comes time to market yourself, get it in perspective, and you'll see where you can really market to your strengths. Kind of off-topic just a bit, but one thing jumped out at me about not thinking of yourself as an expert. Most of us get so focused on looking ahead (or up, if you think of a ladder) that we forget to occasionally look behind and see how far we’ve come. There will ALWAYS be people better than us at something, even in our own fields. Its far too easy to specialize, and our own experiences tend to make us stronger in some areas, but not in other related areas. Quite simply, its far to see others as experts, which diminishes our own view of ourselves.

The real thing to look at, though, is where you’ve come from. Look behind. When you see how much ground you’ve already covered, you can see how, to people far behind you, you ARE an expert. You have knowledge you can share, at least to get them to where you are. You have experience that they lack, contacts that they don’t, and abilities they are just starting to work on.

When it comes time to market yourself, get it in perspective, and you’ll see where you can really market to your strengths.

]]> By: Shelly http://brassblogs.com/blog/defining-my-place-part-v-modesty-is-a-virtue#comment-187 Shelly Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:26:44 +0000 http://brassblogs.com/?p=152#comment-187 You do make some very good points, Jason. I do believe that my methods will be more long-lasting than the "flash-in-the-pan" types. That's definitely what I go for - meaningful relationships and longevity. Perhaps I came off wring in the end of this: I don't mean that I plan to do nothing but tout myself and go around spamming everyone: the point is, I *never* market myself. I'm the person who goes to networking events on rare occasions - and I forget to bring my business cards. I rarely spend time on my own business - all of my time seems to be devoted elsewhere. This post is my observation that, to get where I want to be, I need to lift my head up on occasion and let people know I'm here. It's not something that's native to me, and I need to learn to do better on that end - because I can't cultivate great client relationships if no one knows I'm here! You do make some very good points, Jason. I do believe that my methods will be more long-lasting than the “flash-in-the-pan” types. That’s definitely what I go for – meaningful relationships and longevity. Perhaps I came off wring in the end of this: I don’t mean that I plan to do nothing but tout myself and go around spamming everyone: the point is, I *never* market myself. I’m the person who goes to networking events on rare occasions – and I forget to bring my business cards. I rarely spend time on my own business – all of my time seems to be devoted elsewhere. This post is my observation that, to get where I want to be, I need to lift my head up on occasion and let people know I’m here. It’s not something that’s native to me, and I need to learn to do better on that end – because I can’t cultivate great client relationships if no one knows I’m here!

]]> By: Jason Kuhrt http://brassblogs.com/blog/defining-my-place-part-v-modesty-is-a-virtue#comment-186 Jason Kuhrt Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:38:13 +0000 http://brassblogs.com/?p=152#comment-186 I think you had it right in the first paragraph. Perhaps a misunderstanding has occurred with your loose references of those 'apparently' succeeding without integrity. In X (i.e. 50) years, what do you want to have accomplished? It's harder to bullshit your way to long-term success and historical study by future generations. I bet you there were a lot of computer pioneers that were pissed off at sellouts, but did get their due decades later. Obviously honest people can seemingly get shafted even in the long run, but you're on the wrong side of the equation when you decide to become one of the lowest common denominator types. Grab your own vision of the future by the horns and hold on for longer than a bull rider in a rodeo does. Aside from all this, you spend more time with your own conscience than anyone else and one would assume that such an active and permanent relationship should be in impeccable order first and foremost. My 2 cents. I think you had it right in the first paragraph. Perhaps a misunderstanding has occurred with your loose references of those ‘apparently’ succeeding without integrity. In X (i.e. 50) years, what do you want to have accomplished? It’s harder to bullshit your way to long-term success and historical study by future generations. I bet you there were a lot of computer pioneers that were pissed off at sellouts, but did get their due decades later. Obviously honest people can seemingly get shafted even in the long run, but you’re on the wrong side of the equation when you decide to become one of the lowest common denominator types. Grab your own vision of the future by the horns and hold on for longer than a bull rider in a rodeo does. Aside from all this, you spend more time with your own conscience than anyone else and one would assume that such an active and permanent relationship should be in impeccable order first and foremost.

My 2 cents.

]]> By: Kris http://brassblogs.com/blog/defining-my-place-part-v-modesty-is-a-virtue#comment-154 Kris Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:01:22 +0000 http://brassblogs.com/?p=152#comment-154 I certainly haven't tooted my own horn in the past, I think I need to start selling myself more. Nice blog, btw it's a good read. I certainly haven’t tooted my own horn in the past, I think I need to start selling myself more.

Nice blog, btw it’s a good read.

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