We’re talking the fine line between self-promotion and bragging this week- how comfortable are you to speak up for your mad skillz?
Whether we’re trying to get more exposure for our business, go after a job or even just connect with other people online and off, saying “here’s who I am and here’s what I’m good at!” in any scenario is a kind of self-promotion.
A lot of us feel uncomfortable with self-promotion, even sometimes in the company of friends, because we don’t want to be seen as braggarts or full of ourselves, or we feel modest about our skills and strengths and it’s uncomfortable trying to figure out how to toot our horn without feeling icky!
So in today’s video, we have 7 solutions to help you make nice with your inner self-promoter, whether you’re comfortable bragging on yo’self or not!
What do you think?
Do you feel braggy or uncomfortable tooting your own horn? Why?
Which of these 7 tips are you going to put into action to feel more comfortable promoting yo’ bad self?
Doing some of them already? Have other ideas for non-icky self-promotion?
We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas in the comments!
Hi Maven Circle,
Thanks for these bringing this up.
I definitely have trouble tooting my own horn, especially because in yoga, it’s all about not judging, not competing, not being ‘the best’…because achievement doesn’t matter.
I like showing off my students’ compliments on my website as testimonials, but it’s hard for me to TALK about being a yoga teacher to promote my classes without feeling pushy.
Ideas?
Thanks!
Bettina
Hi Bettina,
Thanks for watching! I think speaking from the heart is key and perhaps instead of talking about your classes directly, you could bring up yoga and its benefits or certain poses and certain types you enjoy (and teach) and why- I think if you start to engage in conversation about yoga with your people (your right people who are already interested and ready to listen), it’ll naturally lead to them being interested in hearing more about classes, if they are- and if they’re not, they’re not and it doesn’t feel pushy or pressured.
You might want to also try avoiding “I” language when you’re talking about your skills/classes, as we mentioned in the video- instead of “I’m an excellent yoga teacher, you should try my classes” (not like you say that, but for an example of how that feels a little icky) you could word it like, “One of my passions and skills is yoga, and I love teaching classes.” or “Yoga is an avid passion of mine and I feel lucky to teach it everyday.” Those feel more comfortable to say, speaks to your skills and definitely sounds more inviting and not “salesy”.
I hope that helps! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
jena
Hi Jena,
Thank you for helping me out!
I love the examples you gave me, and this one really rings true for me “Yoga is an avid passion of mine, and I feel lucky to teach it”.
I write out lists of things I’m grateful for, so I know from experience that when one feels gratitude, one can’t help but not be anxious or worried or fearful.
By phrasing it this way with some gratitude, I won’t feel icky at all.
Thanks so much!
Bettina
I love you guys. You made me smile this morning as I watched. It is so true how self promotion is a foreign concept, however I have faced facts that in order to be noticed yard be successful you need to self promote and come across as sincere. It is definitely a craft. Thanks for the reminders as I’m journeying ahead in my career and making decisions. I find that in our personal lives it’s important to support others and surround yourself with those who create positive momentum for yourself.
Aw, thank you, Tricia! Glad to make you smile! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, what you said about support is so true- it makes a world a difference to be surrounded with positive people, and to support back! Keep up that momentum! -jena
I love this! Something that I struggle with, for sure. I think keeping an email file with nice comments/positive customer feedback is great advice, and I need to be better at utilizing it once it’s there. Thanks for sharing yet another great video, gals! Love watching!!! XO
I love my email file if for nothing else to read when I’m feeling down on myself- definitely helps! Thanks so much for watching Jessie, glad you enjoyed it! -jena
This is great. Ok, have to share. I don’t toot my horn, far from it. In fact in Australia we are somewhat modest and laid back in this department. BUT, a couple of years ago I visited the USA and it was a revelation! Seriously, you people are all so confident. It was like being on another planet (well I was in New York so maybe that actually ‘is’ another planet?). I was stunned by the self-assurance (delightfully so) and took it upon myself to study it while I was there. I am still thinking about those confident, self-assured people and personally have begun to challenge my own limiting thoughts about myself. I have a long history of not being comfortable acknowledging the things I am good at – what a waste huh?. So I’m learning, and it never occurred to me that there could be tools to help us with this. Fantastic. Its a slow process but a really good skill to learn I think. Thank you.
What an amazing video! I think my favorite part was when you said that you will share a bad day in the most helpful way possible. Superb advice both personally and professionally. I tend to stick to the positive and will have to experiment with this. Thank you!
Kerry,
Thank you for your kind words. We really appreciate it! Also, we’re so excited about your guest post and we’re loving your video and grounding technique too! Thanks again! – Jen