The only way to build your reputation!

In the movie, Cutting Edge, Doug Dorsey, the captain of the U.S. ice hockey team, after a head injury at the Winter Olympics, finds himself on a new path to become a world-class figure skater competing in the pairs event with his partner Kate Moseley. While the plot is around the ultimate love/skate relationship, it offers excellent insights into what it takes to become good at figure skating after a great career and tremendous success in hockey.

Doug has several challenges to overcome on his new journey. He excellent skills playing hockey for years make him believe that he has all that he needs to become a world-class figure skater. His reputation feeds his ego, and he behaves arrogantly. And he forgets that figure skating is a different game! Just take a look at these two photos. Need I say no more.

The skills that made Doug the captain of his team are neither enough not all adequate in pairs figure skating. In fact, during their first few practices, we observe Kate falling on the ice over and over again as Doug is throwing her like he is striking the ball!

After several ups and down, Doug decides to do what it takes to strengthen his skills. He tames his ego and lets go of his reputation. Most importantly, Doug makes a promise to become a world-class figure skater and look after his partner every time they are on the ice together.

Before Doug builds his reputation in figure skating at the Winter Olympics, he makes it in the eyes of his coach and his partner by showing up every day and doing the hard work.

My story

In my recent article "two ways to let go of your reputation", I shared my journey during my transition from a corporate career into consulting, blogging, writing, and creating and hosting a podcast. While several of the skills I have developed over the years are transferable, there are many new skills that I am learning. 

Daily blogging influenced by storytelling is different from business writing. Being a podcast host is like nothing I have done before. Great hosts make their guests shine by telling their stories in the most profound way; different skills, different priorities. 

Blogging daily since October 2017 has taught me that creative work is a whole new game. Sharing what I am learning on my journey in a way that resonates with others while being vulnerable, is not for the faint of heart. What gets me going is the promise I made to my network to blog daily. I have to honor my commitment to those I seek to serve.

While I feel more comfortable with my writing today than a year ago, after reading the work of the bloggers I admire, I realize that I have a long way to go. I am building my writing skills and my reputation as a blogger one blog post at a time. I am studying those who inspire me to write better. But I remain focused on my own journey. I am content.

"If we can understand everything that comes with being a beginner again and show up with a frame of mind that is curious and optimistic and understand that every step of the way is something to learn from, perhaps the creativity would flow from that. I certainly believe it!" - Helen Lim. 

The professional

Whether we are starting fresh or transitioning from one career to another, building a good reputation is essential. If we embark on our journey with a great skill set obtained during our former career we need to let go of our ego and drop the reputation story. That's the best way to stay both humble and focused on our work.

That does not mean that we behave like amateurs. Even when our skills are not strong yet, we choose to act as if we are the professionals we aspire to be. Steven Pressfield in his book Turning Pro teaches us about the qualities and skills of a professional who is on a creative path:

1. The professional shows up every day.
2. The professional stays on the job all day.
3. The professional is committed over the long haul.
4. For the professional, the stakes are high and real.
5. The professional is patient.
6. The professional seeks order.
7. The professional demystifies.
8. The professional acts in the face of fear.
9. The professional accepts no excuses.
10. The professional plays it as it lays.
11. The professional is prepared.
12. The professional does not show off.
13. The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique.
14. The professional does not hesitate to ask for help.
15. The professional does not take failure or success personally.
16. The professional does not identify with his or her instrument.
17. The professional endures adversity.
18. The professional self-validates.
19. The professional reinvents herself.
20. The professional is recognized by other professionals.

The power of the promise

The journey of every professional starts with the promise they make to themselves and those they seek to serve with their work. A promise coupled with a specific commitment affirmed frequently is the only way to build the reputation of a professional.

In my writing accountability group, we promise to write. Our weekly commitment is to share our work by Sunday and contribute our comments to at least three other writers by Tuesday. We affirm our commitment at the end of each month for the next one. 

The recipe is simple. It works for an aspiring writer who wants to become a published author. Or a yoga student who wants to become a yoga teacher. It starts with a promise, followed by the work to honor a specific commitment.

"What we get when we turn pro is we find our power. We find our will and our voice and we find our self-respect." - Steven Pressfield.

Self-respect is what makes professionals shine in the eyes of those they seek to serve and other professionals. Self-respect and reputation go hand in hand. Those who keep their promises to themselves also keep their promises to others. And vice versa.

Final thought

There is no shortcut to building our reputation. We make a promise, and we do our work every single day to keep this promise and honor our commitments.

Thank you all for reading and contributing your comments. If you are on a creative journey, I want to hear your story and learn from you. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.

Maria is a storyteller, and a change maker on a mission to empower people to design their learning journey and build the life and career they want. She blogs on LinkedIn daily, and she is the host of the Impact Learning podcast. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, on Google Play Music, on Spotify, on Stitcher, or subscribe via RSS.