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Starting the 30DC with a Clean Slate
By Dee-Dee M | June 1, 2009
Ed Dale posted a thought provoking post on his Tubby Nerd Blog a couple of days ago. I say thought provoking because it got me thinking and I have been doing so in the last 3 or 4 days since reading it.
He titled it: “If Your Shy, Cherish Privacy, Support Manchester United or Heaven Forbid own a PC – is the Thirty Day Challenge For You?” I am assuming here that the Manchester United supporter dig was aimed at Dan Raine, however the rest of it, the title and content of the post, gave me pause.
Ed proposed the question: Do you have to be a Leader to be successful online? and his short answer was Yes… and No. This reply may seem contradictory but not for the reasons you would assume at first.
Everyone approaches life with the sum of their experiences… past and present. In essence, as Ed puts it, we all have baggage. Our perceptions are colored by what we see, hear and have experienced and it’s our perceptions of the world, the people around us and of ourselves that can stumble our efforts.
The point Ed was making, as I see it, was that yes you do need to be a leader. However, because of the negative connotations or perceptions people may have about ‘Leadership’ and being a ‘Leader’, many will be stopped from taking up the role.
What does being a leader mean to you? Are you negatively influenced by your perceptions of world political leaders, the high school ‘popular’ crowd, the bully of the gang from your school, the boss at work that bullies you now, or the charismatic preacher that poisons the congregation that follows him blindly? Whatever your definition of a leader, if it has negative connotations for you, you may stumble over the concept of becoming a Market Leader.
A way to overcome this type of stumbling block is to “positively re-frame” it; give the word or concept a new or positive meaning, or substitute with a new word that has positive meaning for you. Ed endeavored to do this by asking his readers for other words more preferable to market “leader” and the feedback comments were interesting.
A whole plethora of suggestions were submitted: Sheppard, Commander, Trailblazer, Revolutionary, Renaissance Man, Explorer, Adventurer, Hero, Groundbreaker, Protoganist, Developer, Maker, Paladin, Crusader, Warrior, Cleric, Striker, Legend, Pharoah, Coach, Mentor, Guide, Pioneer, Chief, Challenger, Innovator, Teacher, Conductor, Successorizer, Prophet, Spearhead, Kingpin, Leading Light, Mandela’s, Sage, Virtuoso, Beacon, Pacesetter, Minister, Big Cheese, Top Dog, Authority, Big Gun, Top Gun, Director, Key Player, Mover and Shaker, Pathfinder, Stepa Head, Pied Piper, Visioneer, Guide, Connoisseur, Philosopher, Knight, Legend, Influencer, Instigator, Navigator, Facilitator, Evangeliser, Actioneer, Imagineer, Action Hero, Steward, Orientation Wizard, Path Finder, Organisational Anchorman, Passionate Navigator, Foreman, Jet setter, Trend spotter, Pulse reader, Spark, Informer, Influencer, Champion, Example, Catalyst, Connector, Nichemeister (pronounced neeeech not nitch), Wiz…
Maybe you personally don’t have a problem with the word “leader” but do have self doubts about whether you can live up to the role of “Market Leader” as you perceive it. Self Doubt can be a real stumbling block and can have it’s roots bury deep into the past.
Take my history for example…
I was born the love child of two mental patients in the mid 1960′s. My parents couldn’t look after themselves let alone a new born infant so I was fostered at 6 weeks old until my adoption at 6 years old. Within 14 months I was again shipped around like “nobody’s child” after my adoptive mother died suddenly and didn’t get a stable home environment until I was nearly 10 when I was returned back to my adoptive father and his new wife.
I wouldn’t say that my new step-mother was wicked but she definitely had her own “baggage” that she lay at my feet. I grew up believing I was un-wanted, un-loved, worthless and not good enough. I was left vulnerable to abuse on all levels and made to believe it was all my fault.
Yep, that’s some heavy baggage! But thankfully with adult eyes, a good therapist and loving husband and family of my own, the baggage has been shrunk to purse pack size. Even so, the little child within can whisper self-doubts.
And this I think is the crux of Ed’s Post… it doesn’t matter what history you have, what doubts or fears you carry, the 30 Day Challenge offers you an opportunity to make a fresh start and leave the baggage behind.
“I’m too shy to be a leader.” – doesn’t matter, just be yourself. Your self image won’t change in a day so take a small step each day. The important thing is to keep walking.
“I like my privacy.” – doesn’t matter, you can create an alter-ego for the public and maintain your privacy.
“I don’t have a Mac like Ed. ” – doesn’t matter, plenty of people are making a serious living online using a PC
“I’ve never made a cent online.” – doesn’t matter, the 30DC doesn’t care about your past.
“I don’t know anything.” – doesn’t matter, you’ll learn a step at a time.
“I’m not an expert!” – doesn’t matter, you’ll learn to become knowledgeable. (besides if you break down the word expert you get x – an unknown factor & spurt – a drip under pressure)
“I’m not popular.” – doesn’t matter, find a passion and be enthusiastic about it and other enthusiasts will be drawn to you.
“What if I fail?” – doesn’t matter, it’s just a project. Move on to another until you hit the jackpot. To quote Ed: “Your project is not you. You are not your project!!!”
The important thing is to approach the 30 Day Challenge with an open mind, without prejudice, and start with a clean slate.
Topics: 30 Day Challenge 2009 | No Comments »