I am a blowhard egomaniac
12 Comments Published by Adventures of Greg on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 9:55 AM.
I was in the midst of preparing a new KidPower presentation for Elbow Valley Middle School yesterday. It's their school year kick-off celebration day and the Principal has asked me if I would address the students and staff by speaking about setting goals, accomplishment, and the importance of staying active and healthy.
And then I get this email from Gary B:
Gosh - what a downer! I guess I should just trash the email and move on, but for some reason I really feel inspired to respond to this.
Am I a "blowhard egomaniac"? I suppose if you didn't know me, by looking at my web page you might come away with the feeling that I might be somewhat of an arrogant swellhead. In my defense though, I come from a marketing background and I realize that I am my product and that I need to treat how I am presented as if I am a product being advertised for sale. I market myself not unlike any other corporation would advertise their product or service. I know from experience that if I am to accomplish my long term goals, that I need to start marketing myself appropriately.
So what exactly are these long term goals of mine that are keeping me focused on this polished image?
1. KidPower
2. Base building and community building
3. To inspire others
"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best." – Henry Van Dyke
And then I get this email from Gary B:
"adventuresofgreg.com.......oh please, give me a break. Is the world even a slightly better place because you have two Guinness records in your name. You obviously have lots of energy and time. Why not use it to do some real good. The world has enough blowhard egomaniacs that are really into the adventure for their own gratification, all the while claiming their endeavor is for the betterment of all mankind."
Gosh - what a downer! I guess I should just trash the email and move on, but for some reason I really feel inspired to respond to this.
Am I a "blowhard egomaniac"? I suppose if you didn't know me, by looking at my web page you might come away with the feeling that I might be somewhat of an arrogant swellhead. In my defense though, I come from a marketing background and I realize that I am my product and that I need to treat how I am presented as if I am a product being advertised for sale. I market myself not unlike any other corporation would advertise their product or service. I know from experience that if I am to accomplish my long term goals, that I need to start marketing myself appropriately.
So what exactly are these long term goals of mine that are keeping me focused on this polished image?
1. KidPower
I want to make KidPower a national program that includes an interactive component designed to get kids across this country active again. To achieve this goal, I need the financial support of corporations. What can I sell a corporation? Simple: me. The more media attention I get, the more my corporate sponsors benefit from the publicity. Both in brand marketing and corporate social responsibility fulfillment by being connected to the KidPower program. A corporate sponsor is not interested in funding a project shrouded in secrecy.
2. Base building and community building
I have some very aggressive personal goals that I would like to accomplish. These are longer term, much larger projects that need to be built-up slowly. Not many corporations join the S&P 500 index of the largest North American corporations within their first year of business. It takes time to grow, and growth builds upon previous successes. It's base building. When I approach the experts in the boat building community with some crazy idea about designing a pedal boat to cross the ocean with, how do they respond to someone without any kind of track record? I know, because I have been faced with this before - they ignore you. When you approach them from a strong base of previous successes (and the media recognition to back it up), then people and companies tend to rally around your idea and feel inspired to become involved. It is an amazing thing when you can create a project where so many others can become part of the success.
3. To inspire others
Gary says "The world has enough blowhard egomaniacs that are really into the adventure for their own gratification" and he is partly correct. Am I really doing all of this only for the betterment of all mankind? Probably not. But then again, what do we ever do that is totally for the betterment of all mankind? You probably have a job. A job that pays you money that goes into paying for a roof over your families heads, and putting food on the table. Most of us spend the majority of our time concerned with the betterment of ourselves - not mankind.
But in the end, Gary is wrong - I truly believe that. I can honestly say that my biggest goal with regard to what I want to accomplish and what I have accomplished is to inspire others to achieve the great things I know they are capable of. Nothing makes me happier than to know I have been of some help or inspiration to someone who has decided that they want to drop a few pounds, or run their first marathon, or build a carbon fiber bike frame, or someone who just needs a little motivation to take the first step to making their dreams come true.
But in the end, Gary is wrong - I truly believe that. I can honestly say that my biggest goal with regard to what I want to accomplish and what I have accomplished is to inspire others to achieve the great things I know they are capable of. Nothing makes me happier than to know I have been of some help or inspiration to someone who has decided that they want to drop a few pounds, or run their first marathon, or build a carbon fiber bike frame, or someone who just needs a little motivation to take the first step to making their dreams come true.
"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang the best." – Henry Van Dyke
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