Too big for your boots?

Are you really good at what you do? Do you know you are really good, yet others may just not know it yet? Maybe you find it difficult to tell people you are good at what you do? Maybe it is an Australian “tall poppy syndrome” where we cut down those who stand out above the rest.

I am going out on a limb here to make a point (There is my justification – so ticked that box) I am really good at what I do. And I feel uncomfortable telling you. In fact, while I do think I am good at what I do, most of my clients say I am better at it than I think I am. After paying me they thank me for doing what I do and sometimes for me it almost becomes embarrassing as they have paid me for my services. (I love doing it)

Now my justification is coming back again and I need to say “checkout my Linkedin profile” and read my recommendations as I have social proof. WOW we do some mad stuff us humans. The way we work, what we say, how we interrupt stuff…..so interesting.

It would be easier for me to tell you about one of the people I am connected with and about how amazing, wonderful and creative these people are. It is easier to recommend others than recommend ourselves. I think of that song by Carly Simons:

You’re so vain

You probably think this song is about you

You’re so vain, 

I’ll bet you think this song is about you

Don’t you?

Don’t you?

Well Carly the song is about HIM and he knows IT and my guess ….he is loving it!

The question being “Why is it so uncomfortable for most of us to say we are good at what we do?”

It is around our “social conditioning” and different cultures have different conditioning. Our Asian friends are conditioned not to “lose face” for example. Here in Australia when I see someone “big noting” themselves I hear my mother’s voice saying “Well he has gotten a little too big for his boots”

Well if you have become too big for your boots go buy new ones. This is the “new” way of thinking and I like it. To succeed we all need a little self promotion and we need to believe we are good at what we do otherwise do not bother. If you don’t believe it, no one else is going to either…You will have Buckley’s chance (There’s another Aussie saying for you).

Okay so you don’t want to yell from the roof top about how amazing you are. That might be going a little too far. You do however need to get your “mindset” right in order to achieve what you want to achieve. Then you need to get the message out so people (your hungry crowd) can find you!

They want you and need you as you have the solution to their “problem” so where the hell are you hiding?

A few simple ways to attract your perfect client and grow your business (BEWARE: You will need to buy new boots)

1. Ask your clients for a testimonial
2. Update your Linkedin account (particularly if you are Business to Business Service)
3. Ask for recommendations (ah social proof again you are great at what you do)
4. Believe in yourself (and I don’t mean a little bit I mean really clear any self doubts)
5. Be passionate about what you do and love it totally (no half measures here)
6. Help others achieve – it’s not always about the sale but it is always about the relationship

A REMINDER HERE TO TAKE ACTION:

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Yoda - The Empire Strikes Back

Come and join my win:win community and find free resources at www.colomboconsulting.com.au