This week I’ve asked all our writers (and a few guest writers) to contribute a post about “What Matters Now?” for them. The big thoughts and small actions that make a difference, when now is the time to do it. Stuff to think about and do this year. Make the change now, and reward yourself with what comes next.
I’m going first, and my topic is TRUST.
image credit: http://weblogs.cltv.com/
People have to trust you. Trust is very important. And you have to earn people’s trust sincerely because we live in a trust economy and if you don’t have trust, what do you have?
This is a little difficult for me because so many people perceive me as, well… an idiot. And it’s hard to take idiots seriously, let alone trust them. So I’ve got my work cut out here.
But first, let me explain how I came to be in this situation.
You know that voice in the back of your head that stops you from doing something that’ll make you look stupid? You know, the voice that controls your outlier behaviour in social situations? The voice you can only drown out with copious amounts of alcohol?
‘You’ll look like an idiot!’
‘You’ll only embarrass yourself!’
‘What will they think of you?’
‘You’re making a fool of yourself!’
Well, I don’t really have that voice. I told that voice to shut up years ago, and haven’t heard from it again ever since.
It’s great (I prefer it like this) because you open up lots of opportunities for yourself.
But the problem with not being afraid to look like a fool is that irregardless of how you feel people still look at you like a fool.
Normally this isn’t a bad thing since the expectation from you is so low you can get away with a lot more. Plus, it’s more fun when they get to know you better and realise that you aren’t an idiot and you can laugh about it together.
The clinch occurs when people perceive you as an idiot in a business context. That’s where it falters. Nobody wants to partner with an idiot. Nobody wants to hire an unprofessional freelancer. Nobody wants an idiot to be responsible for their properties. Nobody wants to solicit business with someone who doesn’t take himself seriously.
I do by the way. Take myself seriously, that is. Very much so.
It’s just that perceptions are hard to change, especially if that first impression is that of a whimsical social vagabond.
Perhaps fitting in is a good idea at times, too…
Posted on April 26, 2010 by Jak
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