I don’t know about you, but I hate status quo. Being “average” is not acceptable in my book and everyone that surrounds me often hear me say “mediocrity is not an option“. Some consider this trait of mine to be a bit rash – oh well.
So how can this attitude of mine help you? I was re-reading Seth Godin’s “Tribes” last night (actually, one part that I find impacting) and a bulb lit up in my head. The section deals with FEAR – the ever known “F” word that holds us back and prevents us from being AMAZING! Seth goes on to say:
“We choose not to be remarkable because we’re worried about criticism…..we’re worried, deep down, that someone will hate it and call us on it?”
The reason a lot of us like New Media is because it’s fairly new – because we are making rules as we go and because there are no boundaries! The fear of making a mistake is not that huge because we are trying things as we go so a lot of us take chances and don’t get boggled down by the fear of not doing it right.
So many people ask me how I come up with ideas and if I mind if they copy some of the things I am doing. I have to admit that I am always flattered that someone wants to imitate me, but that would only get them started…..they would have to grab those ideas, turn them around, add some spice and some BAM! and then make them their own.
So here’s a challenge for you with regards to new media – ask yourself – what are you afraid of? Are you afraid of technology? afraid of what you look like on video? concerned with what people will say about your accent or the way you talk? of not doing things right? of being criticized?
Look at @garyvee – he’s not the most charming guy in the planet and is not great looking either (sorry Gary, still love you). But he has taken wine to a totally new level that he probably would not have imagined in a million years! One quote by Gary resonates in my head:
“The only way to guarantee victory is to be awesome”
So go ahead and expose those fears and zero in on them – go beyond your comfort level and reach for Awesomeness – and any time you have doubts, just tell yourself “mediocrity is not an option”.
Erion Shehaj
February 9, 2009 at 11:46 am
First of all, you can’t advise us to drop our fears and put such a horrifying picture in the middle of your post. 🙂
I think that those fears are exactly the reason people embraced blogging right away. If you think about it, many of those issues could be avoided: Your accent doesn’t usually show up in your posts (unless you’re @bawldguy), you can minimize mistakes by rewriting and editing your content over and over, and you don’t have to be good in front of a (web)camera. But your new media strategy will not be nearly as effective if you don’t incorporate elements that at first might make you uncomfortable. The secret is to be YOU in everything you do, and it will all fall into place.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Erion – I just wanted to scare the crap out of anyone coming near this post 😀
What you say is true about blogging – a lot hide behind a mask and impressions are not always the reality – but you have to agree that blogging is just the beginning of the equation….and a very minute aspect of it when you look at the big picture. Once you embrace the rest and achieve F2F then real fears should be fun to fight off.
Erion Shehaj
February 9, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Absolutely agree! Especially since new media pioneers are so accessible and approachable and happy to share their strategies. Blogging is just the warm-up routine. Now it’s time to work that core!
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 9, 2009 at 1:03 pm
so get to it!! 🙂
Greg Afarian
February 9, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Nice post Ines! I think the “f” word does scare alot of people when it comes to new media and using helpful tools like video. But, like anything else the more practice you get the better you’ll become… Nothing says it better than communicating with video and this new media does a great way expressing that. Thanks, Greg
Missy Caulk
February 9, 2009 at 1:39 pm
The “F” word can hold people back in so many ways. Not just in RE or blogging or social networking.
Fear is a noose around the neck,that can choke the life out of people and keep them from being all they can be.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 9, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Greg – FEAR stops people from many things – I agree with Missy that it even prevents people from being all they can be.
We have to recognize that we are at the forefront of technology and have an incredible opportunity here.
Mariana Wagner
February 9, 2009 at 3:42 pm
False thoughts
Eroding productivity
Always a ball and chain
Run away …
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Mariana -RUN! RUN!!!
Miami Beach Condos
February 9, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I really enjoyed this post, the tone, style and verbiage all displays an understanding of fearlessness. I tend to believe that being awesome is a subjective quality. I think people should be the most awesome version of themselves rather than any other societal standard.
Monika
February 9, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I know what you mean Ines. I’ve been pushing myself more and more especially with video. LOL I hate seeing myself on video. But I will not let the F word hold me back!
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 9, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Miami Beach Condos – of course being awesome is subjective – but it has to do with how high you set your goals. When my kids tell me they got the best grade in the class it doesn’t tell me anything… I always ask if they did their best and even yet…if they think they could have done better.
That’s why mediocrity is not an option and I don’t like “average”.
Moni – to think that a few months ago I was embarrased to see myself on video. Today I recorded one on FB where I actually stuttered, laughed and left it untouched…..it gets better, I promise 🙂
Tom Everitt
February 10, 2009 at 1:05 am
Awesome post Allison!
Next post. How to drop the ‘F’ BOMBS!!
🙂
Tom
XO
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
February 10, 2009 at 7:47 am
Who the F is Allison Tom?