“I simply read another writer and know I have nothing to worry about”
– Charles Bukowski
Poet & Novelist
I get accused of being a lot of things.
And “arrogant” is at the top of the list.
Of course, people who say it don’t give a reason why they think that — they just fart it out there, afraid to indulge in any kind of deep thinking as if saying it makes it true.
But really, my “arrogance” (real or perceived) ain’t their real issue.
It’s their weakness.
Their insecurity.
And, yes, their fear.
They’re afraid to commit to writing each day… or speaking their mind (and – gasp! – offending someone)… or putting their reputations on the line each day writing publicly — so their only way to not feel like a loser is to bring others down to their level.
(Usually via passive-aggressive comments.)
But, here’s the reality:
Being bold about what you believe doesn’t make you arrogant.
It makes you honest.
It means you have conviction.
And, it means you have a unique voice and point of view.
That’s why if you’re wanting to lead your market and hide behind some kind of lame false modesty shtick it’s only a matter of time before someone takes you down — even if they aren’t as experienced or knowledgeable as you about whatever it is you sell.
Case in point:
I’m prepping to invade a new market.
(Under a pen name and DBA, don’t bother trying to find it.)
At the moment, I’m NOT the most knowledgeable person in the market about the topic I’m writing about.
Not even close.
I get “schooled” constantly on the subject.
But, the attitude I have (that YOU should have — regardless of if you’re brand new or a seasoned pro) is it’s WAR.
It’s a BEAT DOWN.
And my fists are balled UP.
Yeah, it’s gonna get messy.
It’s gonna hurt like hellz at first.
And, bones will be broken.
But over time, as I discover new truths about the market and learn from my tests (and failures), my bones will start to “calcify.”
Kinda like thai boxers.
They continually kick their shins against a banana tree.
Over and over and over…
It’s painful.
It’s brutal.
And it literally creates “micro fractions” in their shins.
But that pain leads to calcification and rock hard bones.
And that’s what happens to your business when you go in with the attitude you may or may not be “the best” yet — but you’re still the better man, and will be the last man standing.
My ace-in-the-hole is email.
It’s why I don’t care who my competitors are.
(And, yes, it’s an overheated market.)
My emails WILL outsell theirs.
And, eventually, I’ll win.
That’s the attitude to have.
But that attitude only comes with confidence.
And that confidence comes from having the skills.
And those skills come from my “Email Players” newsletter.
Subscription info at:
Ben Settle
