One way to let people know what your doing is to brag. Yep, that’s right. Tell the world how great what you’re doing is. Ok, before you run for cover… I’ll explain what I mean. I know that ourtright bragging is looked down on in some cultures and even in Australia (well known for it’s Tall Poppy syndrome) patting yourself on the back in public is not encouraged or rewarded. (Kudos to our American cousins who I think are fantastic at acknowledging themselves and the success of others… at least that’s what I found in the seven years I lived there.) Bragging and Networking A great way to let people know what you do is to tell them. Telling others what you’re doing is a great way to network. A positive way to acknowledge something you have achieved is to celebrate it (no, not in private, but with others). Telling others what you do:
- shares information that allows others to know you better (Remember people like to do business with people they know, or feel they know.)
- lets the world know you’re taking action (which, hopefully inspires others to take action)
- could open up opportunities though connections with others
- lets others celebrate your successes with you (I’m no longer surprised by the reinforcement that sharing an achievement draws from others who are truly happy for me.)
Are you uncomfortable bragging? I am not great at ‘tooting my own horn’, but I’m much better at it than I used to be. Whether for cultural (raised in a Greek household), gender (it’s not appropriate for girls to show off), or just plain shyness, I’m often been backward in coming forward about my achievements. Therapy has helped a lot ;-)… really! My coaches and mentors have helped me ‘get our of my shell’ and acknowledge myself more. (Though at times I STILL need a nudge!) I KNOW I’m not alone in resisting bragging. A survey conducted by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and Gender Games author Candy Tymson showed that self-promotion was one of the biggest barriers to success for Australian women. Today, let’s brag. By bragging I mean, share something you’re proud of having done. And, so we don’t confuse bragging with arrogance ;-)… here’s a definition of PRIDE:
a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated…
TODAY’S TASKS Acknowledge, publicly, something you’re proud of. Some ideas:
- Updated my to-do list.
- Called a friend I’d been meaning to talk to.
- Wrote an email to a customer.
- Walked the dog.
- Brainstormed my goals.
- Bragged!
It doesn’t have to be HUGE… The point is to affirm what it is that you are proud of having achieved. I look forward to hearing from you. Warm wishes, Suzi P.S. Candy Tymson presents Networking with Men for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network next week. Join us.
