Do you have sufficient arrogance?
Posted on June 23, 2007 in Personal thoughts by DM
I don’t mean to ask, “Do you think you’re better than everyone else?” What I mean is, do you know just how knowledgable you really are, and do you believe in the value of what you do know?
Scott Hartshorn, who runs the Savvy Affiliate blog (for those of you who aren’t familiar with or interested in the “industry” side of blogging, believe me - it’s an industry!), recently made the point that it’s easy to assume that other people in your industry (in this case blogging) are better or smarter than you, and therefore more credible, and that can keep you from putting yourself out there, getting known, taking risks, and reaping the rewards. Here are Scott’s words:
Insufficient arrogance is actually a problem which can plague many entrepreneurs. You look around and see many other people who seem so much more knowledgeable and authoritative than you. You mighty (sic) not think that you can compete with them until you learn more.
It seems to me that this point can be applied across the board: not just to blogging, but to work, family, parenting, socializing and even community involvement.
Having been a business owner, a Chamber of Commerce leader, the “new gal” for various employers, a first-time parent, a newbie motorcycle rider, and even - yes - a newbie blogger at various points in my life, I could relate to the concept of “insufficient arrogance” on many levels. So many times, I’ve realized (perhaps too late) that I didn’t start out a new phase of my life or project with the belief that what I brought to the table was just as good, if not better, than what other folks brought. So when I read Scott’s post, and the original post that he linked to, a light-bulb came on for me:
I’m not sufficiently arrogant!
Is this a female thing? Is it because I’m too dependent on the approval of others? On the notion of being liked? On the idea that what I know is somehow less valid than what others know?
And the question too painful to ponder just now: What has my insufficient arrogance cost me?
And so I’m just asking: Have you ever let that nagging notion that somehow you’re a phoney keep you from doing what you wanted to do? How do you overcome the feeling, gather sufficient arrogance, and move forward?
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3 comments to “Do you have sufficient arrogance?”
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What a super question: What has my insufficient arrogance cost me?
I certainly don’t think the lack of “arrogance” is a female issue only.
I’ll be musing on this one all day! Thanks for a good provocative start to the week.
Keep creating,
Mike
Mike, I don’t think I even dare begin adding it all up. But you can be sure I will work harder at being “sufficiently arrogant” from now on! ~ Janet
Great point . . . but don’t tell anyone.
I am by all accounts a little too arrogant, but arrogance has gained me a lot more than it ever cost me. Tempered arrogance helps with more than business as well. With family friends and even yourself, people like to surround themselves with confidence. Sprinkle in a little spot on self deprication and smarts, and people will beat a path to your door.
But then again, it’s hard to be humble when . . .