I’m not a morning person. There I said it.
It’s time to stop pretending.
My brain doesn’t actually start working until around 10:00am.
For the record, this post was scheduled.
OK, now your turn. Be honest.
A Collection of Contributions to the Internet since 2008
by dayinthelife
I’m not a morning person. There I said it.
It’s time to stop pretending.
My brain doesn’t actually start working until around 10:00am.
For the record, this post was scheduled.
OK, now your turn. Be honest.
Join thousands of people for a twice weekly newsletter filled with actionable steps to unleash their potential and change the world. If you dream of your work making an actual impact, subscribe up today.
Matt Engler says
I never feel adequate enough and an “expert” at my job. Times are changing so fast, and in the digital age there is so much out there that it’s exhausting trying to keep up. Additionally, I feel that “success” is based on who can scream the loudest, who consistently churn out the most content thought-provoking content, who can be the most innovative, and who will stop at nothing to make a name for themselves. I’m not sure that’s what I want, and there’s a fear of being left behind. As awesome as our global/digital/interconnected world is, sometimes I long for simpler times.
Jeff Gibbard says
Matt, I love that you joined this thread.
First of all, I know for a fact that you are MORE (much more) than “adequate.” However, I can totally get the context you’re talking in, and I sympathize. I honestly feel like I can’t keep up either.
To some extent I think the realization that I can’t keep up is what has helped the most. None of us can really keep up, and even those that scream the loudest and are at the forefront of the conversation now, will eventually burn out, or, in rare cases, rise to the super stardom they deserve. So accepting that it’s ok to not be prolific everywhere is very freeing.
Second of all, and more importantly, I don’t think you need to yell the loudest, or make the most content, or be everywhere. I think you need to take the first steps and share what you care about. Many people get totally overwhelmed by all of it, and I think the best way to cope with it is to make it smaller.
Make the complicated into something simple and build upon it as you feel comfortable. Start with one thing, like a blog, or Facebook and be the best you can be at it. Don’t worry about conquering everything. Instead of doing it for “them” do it for yourself.
Wanda says
I drink way too much coffee! But I am a morning person and coffee makes me feel better.
Jeff Gibbard says
Mmmmmm….coffee.
jwsteiert says
I’m not a marketer but I get paid to be one. I’m constantly afraid that what I’m doing, saying, and thinking is not good enough for the position I fill. There is a constant struggle within myself that I do not always know how to deal with…and it is scary as hell at times. Then there are other times when I feel I can conquer the world…it’s not a healthy way to go about day to day life. If I had to boil down brutal honesty for myself into one word? Fear.
Jeff Gibbard says
Jon, thank you for going full force and being BRUTALLY HONEST. I love it.
I know we’ve talked about it before, but I think that feeling is in everyone. The “fraud syndrome” as Mitch Joel calls it, the “Lizard Brain” as Seth Godin calls it, we’ve all got it. Short of an arbitrary scoring system, there’s no way of calculating our value…and even in the presence of a scoring system, we still doubt ourselves…it’s in our nature.
On the one hand, you can give in to that fear, on the other, you can acknowledge it, acknowledge that everyone has it, and choose to move past it. In the end, the fear is in your head, and the only way to get less fearful is to confront it and squash it.
Angela says
Another option would be to realize that most people don’t have a CLUE what they’re talking about. Especially in Marketing. Very few of us have any formal education, and even fewer have real-world, competitive ad agency experience. If you’re concerned about your knowledge and expertise in the field, I’d wager you have a leg up on people who are complacent. Being self aware about areas of growth will keep you hungry to learn more – in fact, you probably know more than those around you already.
We all get a little bipolar now and then. On those heady days when you feel you can do no wrong, use the energy to knock out a few extra things and make some bold moves – just keep in mind that your energy will lull a bit soon, so keep your time/energy estimates conservative.
Thank your fears for doing their job and keeping you in check, then remind them they’re not in charge and set them aside. 🙂
Jeff Gibbard says
Angela, extremely well said. I completely agree. I really love when I get to see you in the comments.
Karen Ebbert says
I start work at 6am every morning. I have for the past 26 years. I am done at 2:30 and I have the rest of the day to pursue other interests! What did Ben Frankin say? Early to bed and early to rise makes a man (or woman) healthy, wealthy and wise.
Jeff Gibbard says
I am terrified about all of my clients leaving and having to get a real job. I worry about it at least once per week. I’m also absolutely terrible with money, but I’m getting better.
Wanda says
As a photographer and business person I struggle with self acceptance, My clients love my work, me not so much. its almost to the point that I want to vomit. I am great at marketing other people and connecting them and seeing their potential but in me not a chance. I know I am ok but just ok. probably why I have an issue taking money for what I do. I love the craft but valuing myself as a photographer enough to get paid for it whole other story.
Jeff Gibbard says
<3 this! Now we're getting there. It's brutal to share such deep fears, but the amazing thing about it is this, being vulnerable and sharing that opens you up to getting support and feedback from others.
You have clients that LOVE you, and for you it should be about finding more clients like that. In the end, you don't have to be the BEST Photographer in the world (if there even is such a thing), you just have to provide a service that makes your clients happy and that you enjoy doing. THAT is SUCCESS. The truth is, there is no "best" anything, because it's all subjective, especially with art. So take solace knowing that to someone (probably many somones) you are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Wanda says
The question stands then how do you get past a fear that is so paralyzing on many days? Like John it’s not healthy and not a good thing for your bottom line if your self employed either.
Jeff Gibbard says
If I find out the answer to that one, the magic bullet, I’ll be sure to share it. For now all I can do is share how I get passed it.
I remind myself that everyone out there is just making it up as they go along.
I remember that we’re all just people doing work with people and often it’s not what you do, but how you do it, and how you make people feel that counts.
I remind myself that my best effort is all I’ve got and that today is my day to make it count, and if I get tomorrow I’ll work even harder and try to get even better by learning more.
I have my days where I am so totally overwhelmed that a nap is the only answer. But I remember how lucky I am to do this as a career, so I never let myself dwell for more than one day, because I could be (…and no offense to any of these people or professions) unemployed, a construction worker, a coal miner, a janitor, or anything else that leaves me feeling less fulfilled than what I do. I get one crack at this, and I recognize how lucky I am to do what I do. So I pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep moving forward.
Hope that all doesn’t sound trite.
jwsteiert says
I have another thing that I want to kind of stand up and address.
I did not graduate from college. It was something that I even hid from you, Jeff, when I worked for True Voice Media (which I still would love to do again in the future). Even after I told you – after an unsuccessful new business lunch – I felt better, but not on the whole. My father asked me just last night if I would ever ‘go back’. I’m sure his question was well intended…but it still rehashes the same inner monologue of whether I’ll ever be on the same level as my peers.
Most times I am able to ignore these thoughts and keep on about my work, life, and goals, but there are certain times when I question whether I’ve done the “right” thing by not being ruthless in attempting to complete my Undergraduate degree.
I still think people judge me secretly whenever I tell them – but again…it’s MY perception and more than likely not on their radar at all.
Jeff Gibbard says
Jon, again, I applaud your bravery to put this out there.
I can totally appreciate those fears. I share some of those same fears about the legitimacy that comes with certain signals. For instance, I’m still the only full time employee at TVM. We don’t have office space. These are things that signal legitimacy to people, and I sometimes worry about it.
That being said, operating in this way has been the right decision for me in most ways. In the same way, college doesn’t even carry the same weight as it used to and often times isn’t even the right next step for people. With the rising prices of tuition, and all of the freely available resources on the web, a college education only makes sense if you can afford it, and take full advantage of it but it’s not the only pathway to education. College no longer gives you a leg up on the competition (unless you go to Harvard), and many people use college as an excuse to party…I know I did.
College has become the default choice, but is so rarely seized as an opportunity. If the feeling of inadequacy comes from a lack of knowledge, then go forth and learn. Between iTunes U, the hundreds of online learning courses now available, blogs, research reports, and books…a college degree is far from the only way to learn. Knowledge and experience need no degree.
If the feeling of inadequacy comes from the legitimacy that comes along with a college degree (piece of paper) my advice is to confront that fictional story head-on. I know plenty of people from my college that graduated with not much more than a liberal arts degree and some epic binge drinking stories, some of them are currently unemployed.
There are countless examples of college drop outs that went on to change the world. The paper is unimportant. If you want to be respected, go earn it through hard work. That’s something I’m positive you know how to do. #TheNewProject180