I’ve spent a couple decades becoming something non traditional. I’ve spent that time being willfully contrarian about everything. If they said you had to do it one way. I did it the other. Like almost just for spite. Not sure where this will land on my report cards when it’s all said and done. So far I think I’ve got a C. Minus. Good enough for a diploma.

I’ve tried to make a career of walking the walk as well as talking the talk while doing my best to encourage others to do the same. But don’t think I don’t question it. A lot.

What’s easy to lose in this “personal brand” grandstanding that I feel I sometimes do is the fact that backing up your talk can become hard. The difference between “your way” and “we’ve always done it this way” can be vast and confidence to go forward sometimes feels like swimming in the ocean at night. There’s shit out here that will eat you. The good news is, you can’t see it. The bad news. You can’t see it.

The only way to not succumb and get completely “lost in the talk” is to try to shut up and listen from time to time. Left unchecked we all can fall into believing the hype. Both positive and negative.

Make big declarations one way or the other and you will ultimately have a reality check. Hopefully this is good more times than not as reality checks can move you forward and or bring you to a screeching halt. I’m pretty sure this is called learning.

The last week or so I’ve been examining what it is the FRESHJUNKIE brand stands for and ultimately says out loud. Am I telling that story well enough (no)? Honestly?(yes). Learning opportunities as well as reality checks against what others do in our field. It’s reminding me that though I still don’t believe in taking “industry standards” as rote, that the reasons they are called “standards” is because someone else has taken the time to do some of the painful learning for you.

So today I’m taking advantage of swimming during the day. In a pool. Where at least I can see the sharks approaching.

#hugsandhi5s