Just be good at the one thing you do well

Authors, speakers, bloggers: Don't get caught up in the Triple Threat Conundrum. 

If you can speak, soon, you are asked to write a book.  If you write a business or advice book and it sells, you'll be asked to speak. If you do either, you'll be expected to blog well, terrifically Tweet and master Facebook and/or LinkedIn.  Whew.  

Comedian Mitch Hedberg once lamented that agents would approach him with: "You are really good at telling jokes, can you act?  He said, "That's like saying to a great chef - wow, you can cook, but can you farm.?" His point, just do the one thing well and don't sweat the product or career extensions. 

I've met several authors that aren't really very good a speaking, but they do it anyway (poor audiences).  I've met several great speakers that write awful books (poor readers).  And many of the author/speakers I know slave away over social media, wondering why their blog isn't as big as Seth Godin's or their Twitter following isn't swelling like Gary Vaynerchuk's.  To them I say, relax: Just do your thing really well and you'll find a way to make a living - and a difference. 

We cannot fall prey to the Triple Threat challenge (sing, act and produce) that entertainers deal with.  Blogging has it's own special skill set - just ask Chris Brogan.  If you are a great writer, find a way to make your money selling books and don't think that you have to hit the lecture circuit.  If you get exponentially better at one thing, like Gladwell's done with writing or Tony Robbins has done with speaking - you'll be just fine. 

 

Comments

[supra for boy]

so pretty.You are a good teacher. Lucky student!

[las vegas entertainment deals]

Being good to the one thing you're doing, is just like loving what you're doing. So keep on doing good.

[rs money]

It seems lately that people feel greater and greater pressure to do everything and be everything, and race toward greater and greater ends. This is especially true for solo entrepreneurs.

[balenciaga sale]

Some are good in writing but they can't speak verbally.

[runescape]

I was Doing To Many Things And Achieving Nothing! Thanks A Lot, I'm Going To Simplify

[rs gold]

What they would do instead was they would say that they changed their mind.

[Marketing Services]

Some are good in writing but they can't speak verbally.

[Chris]

This perspective can apply to many things in this crazy life. I know I'm a victim of my own obsession with trying to be everything to everyone, especially at work. It has prevented me from focusing on what I'm good at!

Cheers!

[a&f długa trójniki]

I have worked in some situations where the boss would never admit they were wrong. What they would do instead was they would say that they changed their mind.

[Make Beats Online]

Thanks For The Advise. It's Only This Morning I was Doing To Many Things And Achieving Nothing! Thanks A Lot, I'm Going To Simplify

[Poul Andreassen]

Great article

[websites for accountants]

Well written with a great point. It's better to do one thing masterfully then to do ten things with mediocrity.

[Shea McGuier]

Hi Tim,

This is such refreshing advice. Thank you for putting it down in words.

It seems lately that people feel greater and greater pressure to do everything and be everything, and race toward greater and greater ends. This is especially true for solo entrepreneurs.

I think the idea of starting with your strengths -- and being patient with your process -- is one that needs more attention and acceptance.

It also takes a certain amount of courage and trust. It requires a steadiness of spirit and a comfort with oneself to politely pass one all those "opportunities" to expand one's reach and be everywhere at once. It's hard sometimes to remember that the tortoise beat the hare.

Certainly, you've achieved what a lot of people are desperately striving for. However, what's helpful (for me) to remember is that your journey has evolved over time, and more importantly, has been guided by deeper values of love, learning and sharing.

Thanks so much,
Shea