Apr 4 2012

Delusions of Grandeur

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Han Solo: "A Jedi Knight? I'm out of it for a little while and everybody gets delusions of grandeur."

Han Solo: "A Jedi Knight? I'm out of it for a little while and everybody gets delusions of grandeur."

For all you Star Wars fans out there, you know these famous 3 little words. If you know Star Wars well, you know what part of each movie it’s in ;) I’m such a dork! But that is okay.

So why “Delusions of Grandeur”? It starts with a “D” — we are in day 4 of the UBC — and well I though it was quirky enough to get attention! Did it work???

I really did have delusions of grandeur — that is not a false statement, to be honest. What is that saying from “Field of Dreams”? — If you build it, they will come. Yeah well, I built it and I talked my ass off but it turned out to be on deaf ears. What am I talking about? I’m talking about blogging for your business, using social media to network, and participating in local events to get your message/brand out to the world.

I’ve been doing this for 2 years now in different niches, circles, etc, and I think the most frustrating thing for me was that I knew it was going to help but others poo-pooed it. I worked out a plan, had a contract and a price list — all to help others get their “word” out there … but all I got was “why do I need to do that?” or “it’s too difficult” or “I don’t have time.” Did not matter how much I talked it up, I kept getting beat back down or, worse,  ignored. The worst part is that I also talked about ideas to network — getting out there in local events and what not. Again .. poo-pooed. Really???

So imagine my frustration — 2 years later — seeing this group of people participating in the very events that I suggested 2 years ago and getting involved with other local events as well, and of course many of them doing what now??? Oh … blogging and being fairly active in the social media realm, too. — Shocking! ** dripping with sarcasm **

I had great ideas and had hoped that it would in turn bring in extra income for me doing something that I enjoy (web design). I knew I could help people get their message out to more than the clique-ish circles they were in. And I knew I could help them grow their businesses too. But, it seems I did not fit into their happy little package so I got shunned and poo-pooed .. and worse … ignored! Well .. not really …  as 2 years later they are doing exactly what I was trying to help them with and they are participating in many of the “events” I said would be great ways to get their message out. But, see, now they can say it was their idea and they did the leg work and they did research. But .. whatever!!

Am I bitter? a little bit. Because if just one of those people had said “great idea, Kimberly!” or “you know, let’s get together and brainstorm some options” or even better “Yes, Help me with a website .. or teach me how to better utilize Facebook/Twitter!” — it would have encouraged others to do that same. Their businesses would have thrived and I would have built a client base in that particular niche.

Has this affected my confidence? YES … resoundingly. And, sadly, I did not see how much it really did affect me. Going through this shift and new mindset, I am starting to deal with these “delusions” and it isn’t easy. However, I am glad I can see them for what they are now. I am surrounding myself with awesome people and I am learning to be more proactive as opposed to reactive — that is NOT an easy thing to do! I am also seeing more clearly where I need to set my boundaries — both personal and “professional” (meaning with those that should be paying me for what I do).

Have you had your own delusions of grandeur? Please share with me how you worked through them. I really could use all the help I can get! :)

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