Instead of trying to change yourself into whatever perception you have of “a marketer,” change marketing into a set of strategies and activities to which you’re drawn, heart and soul. Instead of trying to guess what marketing secret you don’t know, build your marketing on the best of who you are.
A more effective marketing problem frame, then, is How can I create effective marketing approaches that I can look forward to doing?
Let’s mine this one a bit more deeply.
Exercise 3.2.1: What kinds of things do you like to do?
What types of activities do you like? Think back to childhood, even. How did or do you spend your time when you have the choice? Don’t worry for now whether or not the things you like doing have anything to do with marketing. Daydream for a while and just list them.
For instance, I wrote my first book when I was around four. It was called Little Arrow’s Adventures and was the story of a Native American boy who saved wild animals during a forest fire. My second book, 39 Fleas, was written a year later. I still have both of them, along with my crude illustrations. I don’t think my mother threw out anything I wrote from the time I could pick up a pencil until I moved out on my own. I’ll spare you the teenage-angst poetry. I’ve known for a very long time that I love to tell stories and I love to write. What do you love?
Exercise 3.2.2: What kinds of things do other people tell you you’re good at?
Sometimes other people see talents that you dismiss, don’t really value, or just plain can’t see. Stop reading now and send an email to 10 of your friends, family members or colleagues from work. Turn to your partner or spouse. Ask them all what they think you’re best at doing. Compile their replies and bask in the glow.
Copyright © 2006 by Tammy Lenski. All rights reserved.
Tammy —
I like the way you share your own history. It makes the book much more personal and gives me (or the reader) something in particular to relate to. Your story also made me think in a wider circle, not just my recent past. I think we all have a tendency to define ourselves according to our current situation. You've made me think more deeply.
Christine
I agree with Christine. The personal touch is very well done. I block on thinking of things I do well, and while I emailed my friends the question about what they would want from a free week of mediation, I would never do this email. I wonder if there are other ways to get people to expand their thinking? Maybe in addition to how do you spend your time, something that brings out their preferred way of presenting something? (I'm thinking of the story-telling, which I've only realized recently is something I like.) I'm trying to think of things that are so much a part of our make-up that we don't even think of them. My obsession with Myers Briggs for example. But I don't know where to go from there…