Stop Waiting to Be Picked

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The reason publishers are signing authors who have built their own platforms is the same reason YouTube sensations are appearing on car commercials. It’s because they’re not waiting to be picked.*

Waiting to Be Picked

Photo credit: David Goehring (Creative Commons)

These people are choosing to start in spite of the fact that no one’s given them permission. And this is what makes them so attractive. These are the trail-blazers, the trendsetters, and true difference-makers of our day. They’re the ones “crazy enough to change the world.”

And you could be one of them, too. If you would just stop waiting.

We all want to be picked

Of course, this is natural — the desire to be chosen, to fit in with society’s standards, to be liked by the cool kids. It’s also a myth, as evasive as chasing the wind.

For every person or group that picks you, there is one (or a hundred ones) that doesn’t. You can spend your whole life trying to please them all.

Or you can focus your attention on something that matters, like finding your tribe.

You must pick yourself

The real trick is to not wait, but to pick yourself. To “turn pro” in your head (as Pressfield says). To believe you can do what you’re asking others to believe about you.

That’s how you become “legit” in the eyes of others. Not by waiting for acknowledgment, but by acting as if you already have it.

The crazy part: When you do this, you get the permission you’ve been waiting for. Not by asking for it, but by proving yourself. The paradox is you get what you’re desiring when you stop desiring it.

In other words, the less concerned you are with appealing to an audience’s sensitivities, the more appealing an audience will find you.

It’s the classic “cool guy” routine that gets the girl every time by acting as if he’s not interested. Of course, he is. He’s very interested in her. But he moves on with his life as if he’s not.

And she finds him absolutely irresistible.

Our heroes do this

This is what we love about our favorite movie actors and athletes and rock gods. They don’t care about the system. They care about creating art or breaking rules or just being themselves. They are above reproach, have somehow transcended the need for acceptance.

Of course, we know this can’t be true.

We have read enough biographies and seen enough interviews to know that our heroes are just as human and insecure as we are. They just do something different with their fear. They don’t let it debilitate them. They choose to create — and ship — anyway.

And if they can, maybe you can, too. Maybe we all can.

Need help getting started? Check out my eBook You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One). It will teach you everything you need to know about building a platform and bringing the gatekeepers to you. Find out more here.

What is something you’re waiting to be picked for? Share in the comments.

*Hat tip to Seth Godin for giving me the language to articulate this idea.

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About the Author

Jeff Goins

Writer, idea guy, difference-maker. I help people tell better stories and make a difference in the world. My family and I reside just outside of Nashville, TN. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus.

  • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

    Where did you get this photo of me? And who the hell is David Goehring? 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      A spy.

  • http://www.yTravelBlog.com/ yTravelBlog

    yes!! So true. Our motto for last year and this is “hustle”. We can see very clearly the future that lies in travel blogging and where it is heading. There is so much discussion on the topic. a lot of people sitting around and waiting for the change to happen and be picked.

    We decided last year that we were waiting and it would not get us anywhere We decided to pick ourselves and start hustling to be one of the pioneers of change. Pretty amazing things happen when you stop waiting to be picked. We are very close to making what we were hustling for a reality. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      Love it. Keep hustling.

  • Anonymous

    Nice going Jeff! Enjoyed reading it. Take action NOW, but people just don’t get it.

    I don’t know who said this but it was something like “all want to be rockstars but the ones who make it are the one who try”

    previously it would have been difficult i imagine but in today’s world anyone can be a publisher at a click and as soon as you publish you are perceived an authority.

    You become what you desired to become.

    I learned this lesson a little late in life, I hope your readers get it now.

    Thanks for sharing!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      Good quote.

  • http://www.suttonparks.com Sutton Parks

    What a great observation that everybody has just as much fear as we do.  Michael Hyatt wrote in his post today that he had to fight through fear and doubt to finish his book.  Maybe it’s the old “act as if” principle. Maybe I need to start acting as if I am a great writer and speaker and do it.  

    Great insight and encouragement Jeff.  It seems a lot of us creatives have doubts to overcome.  

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      I think you do.

  • http://rebootingworship.com/ Jamie Kocur

    I think I’ve been waiting for years to be picked for my music. “Surprisingly”, nothing has happened. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      I hear the sarcasm in those quotes.

  • http://www.frymonkeys.com Alan Kay

    Lovely post. When I talk with people about jobs that are looking to secure via interviews I always remind them that one of the key tasks is to not show that you are too keen to get the work. Keen, not anxious. 

    When we are anxious to please our audience we stop thinking about what would work between us and instead force ourselves into what we think they want. We may not understand in the first place what it is they want and make the wrong assumptions because we are keen to please. In the process we lower our standards which is self-defeating in the long run.    

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      if I’ve learned one thing from Steve Jobs, it has been this: people won’t know what they want. give them what they need. love what you’re saying here, Alan.

  • Anonymous

    This so so where I’m at at this precise moment. Thank you! I’m tired of feeling like the frightened little child, who needs someone to hold their hand and only speaks when spoken to. Life should not be a one-way street, but a flow of interaction. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      amen. now, you’re inspiring ME, Sophie!

  • http://www.practicewriter.co.uk/ Lennie

    It’s so true. Every job interview I’ve had where it didn’t matter to me that much if I actually wanted the job, I was offered it. Probably because I was really being myself in the interview, and stopped trying to imagine what they wanted me to be.

    The other upside is that when people offer you things this way you get to think properly about whether you really want to do it. 

    And then you can say NO if you want to, instead of feeling like you have to take anything you are offered, even if it’s not right. It’s about taking back control too, I think. 
    FWIW I only ever took one of those jobs, and never regretted it.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      I love that, Lennie.

  • http://www.eileenknowles.com/ Eileen

    I needed to read this.  It’s hard to “turn pro” in my head.  I make the mistake of focusing on how far I still need to go.  I am constantly telling myself  what that I think Michael Hyatt once wrote.  “Stop comparing your beginning with someone elses middle”   I need to continue  moving  forward and stop listening to the critiques in my head.  They’re really mean sometimes. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      I am guilty of this, too. Have you read The War of Art? I assume so. It may be time for a refresher.

  • http://pensnpaper-syriltanala.blogspot.com/ Syril Tañala

    Great post. I’ve always been eager for my blogs to be picked, and my dreams to become a travel show host to materialize. This post just reminded me of how powerful the mind is to control the body and act according to what it thinks and believes. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      indeed. it can propel us forward or hold us back.

  • Anonymous

    i needed to hear this! i spend way to much seeing why others are successful in my field instead of putting that same energy into what im trying to accomplish. two things i noticed though they just get it done and they are confident in what they do while i’m still over here self analyzing and wasting time. love this post, it is true that self confidence is definitely a motivator instead of  “waiting to be picked” you’ll just end up staying stuck!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      so true. moving forward may be scary, but it’s better than the alternative, which is nothing.

  • http://relevantbrokenness.com/ Marni Arnold

    “ …the less concerned you are with appealing to an audience’s sensitivities, the more appealing an audience will find you.”

    Yes!

    This is what I’ve discovered over this past year of blogging. There were many times I just wanted to hang it up and be done with it – but I kept pressing in and doing it. It’s brought me to a point now where, despite my failings of getting my first book out last year, to work on it this year – and work on the book that this needs to be (rather than what I was thinking it needed to be).

    Fear can be a great motivator – into something, or away from something. Thankfully, despite my living in fear for as long as I have, I didn’t let it win in this aspect of my life to keep me from writing. Instead, it propelled me into writing more. I’m still scared in this process of writing my first book, but honestly – I will take doing it scared over not doing it at all. I much rather know I at least finished it – despite if it’s ever published or not – than live with regret of never writing it at all.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks for sharing, Marni. love what you’re learning.

  • http://uppside.blogspot.com/ susan upp

    I heard that.

  • http://twitter.com/jasonellingson Jason Ellingson

    I am really liking what you are saying lately.  I have just started following you, and it has been both a pleasure and a challenge (solely b/c you are are creating momentum for me when I still feel pressure to wait).  I look forward to more opportunities to be pushed.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      appreciate you reading, Jason.

  • http://lifebeforethebucket.blogspot.com Adrian Waller

    I was always that kid waiting to be picked during a basketball or soccer game on the playground. Oh, the memories…

    Now I find myself waiting to be picked as someone who is a serious blogger, and isn’t just messing around with some words and web space.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      I was, too.

  • http://twitter.com/thensomore Brianna Wasson

    Hi Jeff. I am brand new here (just last week I found your blog) and want to say ”Thank you” for the way you write truth. This post is perfectly timed for me. I’m finding myself in a strange place with my own blog, trying to figure out my bloggy purpose and such. And in this trying, I am discovering a crazy self-induced pressure that makes me blank out everytime I see that crazy blinking cursor on that blank screen.

    But all the while, I’m not creating. Not writing (which is the art I love and need to create) because I’m thinking about “my audience” instead of just putting the words to the screen and writing through it.

    So — yes, I need to stop worrying about what I think readers want to read or expect to read when they come to my blog and instead, just put to words that which I am passionate for. Again, thanks.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      my pleasure, Brianna. Thanks for reading!

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

    Timely and powerful post. I do not know where this was developed or how it was developed for myself, but I always waited to be picked. Well I shouldn’t say always, but most of the time I would  wait for things to happen or be offered. Just now learning what it means to truly start and pick myself.

    Great stuff Jeff

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      think you’re doing a great job picking yourself. you should begin with your nose . ;)

  • StephinLex

    Great, applicable post. I am waiting to become a recognized voice bringing awareness to things that are really close to my heart …  child advocacy and poverty. I know my gift of evoking pictures with words is meant to to be used, and I have the ideas, the words, and the creativity. However, I lack the creative energy at the end of my days/weeks because of how my current role drains me. Bottom line: I haven’t been able to get my personal brand/blog launched in my free time. Maybe I’m just afraid of putting myself out there for critique.  I don’t know. But it needs to be done and I know I must dive into it fearlessly. Thanks for the reminder that nothing will happen until I just get out there and find my tribe.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks for doing work that matters

  • Anonymous

    “They just do something different with their fear.” I. Love. This. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      You’re. Wel. Come. :)

  • http://www.linchpinbloggers.com/ Don McAllister

    Awesomeness: “They are above reproach, have somehow transcended the need for acceptance.” Love it!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      love that you love awesomeness. ;)

  • http://www.robert-craven.com Robert Craven

    This is a wonderful opposite/contra to my blog
    http://robert-craven.blogspot.com/2011/02/waiting-to-be-found.html 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      cool, robert. will have to check that out.

      • http://www.robert-craven.com Robert Craven

        enjoy…
        RC

  • http://penandprosper.blogspot.com/ Jennifer Brown Banks

    Good read. “Waiting to be chosen”… based upon the quality of the content that I create, as opposed to “social proof.” :-)  

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      nice

  • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

    Jeff, congratulations for making the Top-Ten-Blogs-For-Writers list– http://writetodone.com/2011/12/23/top-10-blogs-for-writers-20112012-the-winners/ . I noticed your name was at the top of the list.

    My competitive juices (from way back when up to the present date) flow when I’m passed over. I appreciate your reiterating the importance of taking action and ignoring being dismissed as writers. There are gatekeepers. There are publishing walls. They exist to strengthen resolve (you got to be serious about this business) and to sharpen the hunger.

    You’ve done a great job of showing your readers what’s possible.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      Thanks, Tom!

  • http://evenonesparrow.blogspot.com even one sparrow

    This is so true, and reminds me of a sentiment C.S. Lewis once said.  I don’t have the exact quote, but it was something along the lines of if you want to BE something, you must ACT like that something, even before you’ve become it.  Pretending to be someone long enough will turn you into that someone.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      excellent. aw tozer said we are the sum of our intentional thoughts.

  • http://www.theskooloflife.com Srinivas Rao

    Jeff,

    This is the best thing I’ve read all morning. I’ve been working on a number of things and I decided a few months ago that I wasn’t going to wait to be picked. We have the ability to share ideas and art like never before . That’s the beauty of the world we live in today. 

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      i’m honored. thanks.

  • http://godtreasure.blogspot.com/ Dorci

    “To believe you can do what you’re asking others to believe about you.” 

    Oh how true.  How can we expect others to believe something about us if we can’t?  Good insight.  The funny thing is that it seems most writers seem to have an inherent insecurity.  Not sure why that is.  Maybe everyone does but we’re the ones displaying our innermost thoughts for everyone to see, and judge.  But hey, if others can, I can, too!  What’s the worst that can happen, right?  Well, maybe I won’t think about that. 

    Okay, Jeff, here I go!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      me, neither. it’s really common, though. weird.

  • http://www.innovativesavings.net/ Garry Stafford

    Jeff,

    I find that more recently I’m not waiting any longer in many areas that I used to. I’m placing less paralyzing concern in the WPTs (what people think). And that’s been increasingly fulfilling and freeing. Although I do have further to go. 

    Because in considering your question, what is something I’m waiting to be picked for? I may be taking this down an unintended path, but I find that my worth is closely (too much so?) connected to what I do. And what I do is connected to income. If I don’t believe in myself, keep doubting myself, feel I’m not worthy, and that I’m not expert enough and, therefore, don’t value what it is that I can/do provide for another, I then don’t believe I’m worthy of being fairly compensated for that which I do.

    IOW, I’m waiting to be picked to be paid.

    • Anonymous

      I can so relate to this, Garry :)

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      i get that. totally do.

  • http://www.facebook.com/MelissaMashburnMelsWorld Melissa Scarbrough Mashburn

    Jeff,  you are seriously on a roll here…back to back posts hitting it right on the nose. I couldn’t agree more with this insight…now, to just get over ourselves and get out there and be the change we were created to make. That’s a great goal every day!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks, Melissa!

  • http://www.ontargetcoach.com/ Brent Pittman

    I confess that I watched a little too much TV over Christmas and saw several YouTubers and bloggers on TV. It was crazy, but gave me motivation and hope. I don’t need to be on T.V., but it showed that main stream is taking notice and recruiting from the ranks social media. Keep at it everyone!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      hah!

  • http://zeroto60andbeyond.com Barbara Hammond

    This is very similar to my favorite quote when I was in sales (in another life)… “When you’re desperate for the money it gets in the way.”  Same principle.
    Good post!
    b

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      interesting, barbara. thanks for sharing the quote.

  • http://www.seanrox.com/ seanrox

    Right on. My personal guidestone… but I was looking for a G+ button to share…

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      did you not see it on the left side, Sean?

      • http://www.seanrox.com/ seanrox

        oops, yea, I had a smaller window earlier, it elegantly stepped aside. :)

        peace, love & barbecue,seanrox

  • Janice Palko

    Great post.  I decided I no longer wanted to be a wallflower, waiting for my career to start.   So I’m getting out on the dance floor and boogying down by indie publishing my novel St. Anne’s Day this year.  It’s so much more empowering to be active than passive.  

    • http://www.write-along.com/ Hillary

      Nice. Post a link!!!

  • http://www.write-along.com/ Hillary

    Loved this. So true. I can honestly say the only things I have every truly gained in life were because I actually stopped waiting to be picked and went out and found a way to be fruitful. So true. With this mindset, the only obstacle is finding ways to expand your world and ultimately make it possible for others to be picked too. 

    I founded an editing business off this concept: help others get their writing picked by making writing less of an us and them, but a we process. It’s still growing its first “apple,” but I am strong believer in dreams that grow out of action, not sleep.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      awesome!

  • http://twitter.com/samanthakrieger Samantha Krieger

    Great post. I’m amazed at how so much truth is packed into such a short blog post. Thank you for creating.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      my pleasure. thanks for reading.

  • http://talesofwork.com kimanzi constable

    I wrote and published my book and started a website: talesofwork.com and was naive enough to think that people would just come and buy the book, in a sense, I was waiting to get picked. I have since read and learned and see it’s up to me to build my platform to make people come. I have written and been accepted for a few guest posts coming up and have gotten a few websitea to agree to review my book! I’ve also learned the power of “free”  in building a platform. I have planted the seeds in hopes of later this year to reap the harvet! Great post Jeff

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      yeah. you need more than a product. you need permission. love the lessons you’re learning.

      • http://talesofwork.com kimanzi constable

        Thanks Jeff

  • Adrienne

    Just the words I needed to hear today.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      i’m glad

  • Anonymous

    Good stuff.  I really am enjoying reading your blog, the way you write and the stuff you write about.  Thanks for making it “all about us” instead of all about you, even while you’re writing all about your own experiences.

    At the end of last year I was waiting for the creative muse to strike after a period of creative inactivity.  Then I just decided to hell with it, and began doing small things anyway – a daily writing challenge for a month, starting that altered book journal I’ve been squeaming about for ages.  

    Such small things, and then wham, the creativity does explode out like an airbag sometimes.  The amount of input doesn’t always match what comes out.  Time is most certainly not linear in the creative space … and not anywhere, really, I suspect :)

    I’m also waiting for the first acceptance to come from one of my queries.  And feeling a little bruised about the whole experience, to be honest.  I understand in the age of globalised technology that editors are swamped, but just once I would like to have a reply to one of my queries, even if it’s to say “no thanks, we don’t have room for this.”

    Not that f()#*#!  hard, surely : 

    (I’m also waiting to develop a thicker skin so that every time I don’t hear back from an editor it doesn’t give me several days’ worth of anxiety about my ability.  Methinks the thick skin is probably developing in microincrements and I should have the required and desired thickness in about, oh, 30 years or so :)

    Cheers,
    Sue
    http://discombobula.blogspot.com

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks, Susie. thick skin is important.

  • Anonymous

    When I was a kid, I was rarely picked for anything sports-related, but I was always the first choice for academic groups. For some reason, I always focused on not being picked for physical activity–even though I enjoyed the intellectual activities much more. I think I’ve tried for a long time to be liked by a lot of people because of that.

    But now I’ve been finding myself in a new place that I like much better. I have my blog, and I’m finding my voice. I want as many people as possible to read it, not because I want them to like me, but because they will benefit from the content. Some think it’s strange; some think it’s ridiculous. I don’t care. I know it has value and I know that those who can benefit from it will think the same.

    I just want to find (or build) my tribe, and give them the value. So I’m creating valuable content now, and not waiting to be “found” (or “picked”) first.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      i can relate.

  • http://sagoyism.com/ Josh Sarz

    Great post, Jeff. Definitely a strong reason why we should grow our individual brand ourselves as opposed to just waiting for the magic to start.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks, josh.

  • http://www.myfootstepsinchess.com/ Johan

    Believe it or not but I had (have)  fear to blog. :-)  

    People do not want to read what I have to say. I cannot write. Other excuses aswell. 
     Now that I do blog I find out that I have readers. Not much but that is ok, in chess blogging one cannot expect much.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      chess blogging? sounds fascinating. :)

  • http://somewiseguy.com ThatGuyKC

    I feel like I’m in this place of waiting to be picked for my next job. I’m trying to rock my current role, but I want to “quit”.

    What this has turned into is networking like a madman and showing up w/ my A-game each day. Excited for 2012.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      very interesting. i can’t wait to hear more, KC. trust you’ll make the right decision (i.e. just choosing something).

  • Howard Ayno

    I’ve been working on a project (still got a long way to go on it) for a little bit now, would love to have this turn into something big others will read–but you’re absolutely right, I have to do it for myself and have enough faith in the work’s importance on its own. So true what you were saying about not wanting–or needing–it to be accepted either.
    Sojourn! bit.ly/y8qhOY

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      i love that Howard — having faith in the work’s importance on its own. well said. we have to believe in what we’re called to create.

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  • http://www.xanga.com/wondering04 Heather Marsten

    I’ve been thinking about this.  The point is good, to begin to step out and do what you are dreaming about instead of waiting for someone to acknowledge your talent in the area.  But I think it needs to be tempered with a bit of balance.  You might think you’re good, but still need work before you step out there.  I had a manuscript I wrote twenty-five years ago, sent it out to agents and editors and they kindly and rightly rejected it.  I was crushed because it was good – so I thought.  Right now I’m re-writing this with more knowledge. I grabbed the old copy of the MS and was chagrined.  The writing was not good, the story wasn’t well developed. It was the best I could do then.  I still have much to do on the story I’m working on but it is far better than that first attempt.  So, step out and do things, but remember that there will probably always be room for growth.  Have a blessed day.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      good call, Heather. I’m a big fan of practicing.

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  • http://twitter.com/adathedaydreamr Daydreamer’s Travels

    I hate to admit it but you’re absolutely right, Jeff. One of the things I struggle with as a writer is pleasing readers – gaining acceptance in a way or “waiting to be picked”. But at the same time I want to express myself without sounding too conceited. This is something I have yet to learn and hopefully will :) Thanks so much for this post!

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      tanks, Ada. I think we’re all learning it. I know I am, at least.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing this Jeff – great reminder to me, and indeed to many of us. I struggle so much with confidence, identity, desires to impress, secretly wanting to be chosen by certain people. I think we all struggle with this kind of thing in different ways. Thanks for reminding me simply to pick myself, to be confident, to write confidently and passionately and choose to be me, and choose to be confident. That I should stop trying to impress (which I don’t do all the time, but can do occasionally) and simply be the best me I can possibly be, write and create the best I possibly can, and go forward without fear. Great post Jeff.

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      thanks, James

  • http://www.dberruti.blogspot.com Deb.

    (Well, I read your question about waiting to be picked and I wanted to simply write ‘Homecoming Queen!’ . . . but then I read the comments section, and everyone is so serious, so I chickened out.)

    • http://goinswriter.com/ Jeff Goins

      hah!

    • T Dawes

       Well, I love your honesty, Deb. It’s funny how attractive and disarming honesty without neediness is. And then on the other hand, it’s funny how off-putting false courage is, and how transparent. Thanks for your boldness.

  • http://twitter.com/PatWooldridge Patricia Wooldridge

    Yes. As Sutton just said, ‘act as if’. Sometimes it feels like ‘act as if’ goes by stops and starts, or maybe it’s just that when I’m not looking, fear starts creeping in again and I need to apply more courage to drive it out. Isn’t it pretty much a never-ending process, until our ‘act as if’ habit is strong enough to keep us creating without so much self-doubt? And even then, doesn’t it still require vigilance?

    • Annette Skarin

      Very well spoken Patricia. I feel encouraged by this post and by your kind answer.

  • Annkilter

    My motto for this year is, “Just start.”  Next year, it will probably be “Just continue.” I spent a lot of time trying to think about what the motto, the purpose, the goal, the mission, etc, ad nauseum, regarding my blog about raising kids with autism. Finally, I decided that I just needed to start.

  • http://www.i95dev.com/ecommerce-magento Henry Louis

    I have really enjoyed a lot by reading this post. It would be more helpful to many people including myself to build up good career.

  • kelly swanson

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post Jeff.  You are speaking my language. I have spent far too long waiting to be picked. Well no more. I’m doing  my thing. And eventually you will come to me. I just know it. 

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  • http://twitter.com/Church_Johnson Church Johnson

    I can really say that you are telling the truth with this observation. I’m in the process of starting my own “Page” on Facebook along with my blog on “Tumblr” and I’m doing because love what I do and I like to follow or even make my own rules. I can’t really remember when I join this mailing list but I’m glad I did because this blog/website is very helpful. Thank You

  • http://messymiddle.com/ Amy @ themessymiddle

    When I was a kid this was my main goal: JUST DON’T PICK ME LAST and I would be satisfied! I knew that I wasn’t ever going to be picked first for anthing athletic, I mean, let’s be “realistic” — but to not be last, that wasn’t aiming too high, was it? When your goal has been to ‘not be last’ it’s kind of scary and fun to think  …. maybe i COULD be first … or at least further up the list than I’ve settled.

    I recently started living this (after a few years of being beaten down at work) and it feel good. I feel God smiling on me.

    • http://messymiddle.com/ Amy @ themessymiddle

      not only does ‘it feel good’ it also feels good

  • http://www.beholdingglory.com/ Laura

    This is just so awesome! I am naturally not an initiative taker, but can see how the Lord constantly pushes me to step out of my comfort zone. And it’s crazy how confidence and insecurity both come from it. 

    It seems the last 10 years of my life I am hardly ever picked for things I am hoping to be picked for. I wish God would just hand something to me without having to work for it. Sounds crazy and I know that’s just not how it is, but it feels like validation comes from it. So it’s encouraging to me to be reminded once again of the importance of taking initiative. Seems like that’s a topic I need to be reminded of on a regular basis. Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/eltiare Jeremy Nicoll

    I think my biggest problem with what you wrote above (as in my problem, not with what you wrote) is that I have felt eventually I’d get to the point to where I could change the system enough to where I could follow the rules. Probably not the most effective nor efficient way to go about things….

  • http://twitter.com/jaredkimball 个Jared Kimball

    A great book to read that further expands on waiting to be picked is Robert Ringer’s book, “Winning Through Intimidation” don’t let the title mis-lead you he has a great story to tell. 

    He writes about how he got tired of people walking all over him (in commercial real estate), and instead of waiting for someone to appoint him to a position of “Authority” he decided to start acting like a big shot and doing the things big shots do.

    The books a little hard to find since it’s out of print, but its a must read for every entrepreneur.

    Great post Jeff

  • Mariah Magagnotti

    You’ve put into words what I’ve been trying to iron out.  Thanks so much.

  • NikkiGroom

    Yes! Times are a’ changin’. And it’s time — more than ever — to pick up the gauntlet and run with it. I’m a writer. I write sizzling copy for women entrepreneurs who want to propel their business to the next level. I’d love to have a best-selling book published someday. But in the meantime, I’m building my platform and engaging my tribe — and it’s a total high!

  • Susan

    Excellent piece of advice. 

  • Tanner Morton

    Hey everyone, I’m a struggling writer myself and I’m try to gain support/some knowledgeable critics for a blog I’m writing. If you have time to check it out and offer some feedback or you just enjoy reading it, I’d appreciate it. 
    http://searchforstones.blogspot.ca

  • Anita Van Hal

    Hey Jeff! 

    I help people tell better stories and make a difference. I live in Tennessee with my wife, dog, and son. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

    Why do you have your dog listed before your son?  Is it because you like the dog better?  LOL! 

    Just “discovered” you today and subscribed…thanks for doing what you do!

  • http://www.facebook.com/amandawotson Amanda Wotson
  • Angela Brackeen

    Very well said … thank you!

  • Ruth

    Waiting to be picked is a function of ascribing power over you to other people. It tends to accompany second class gender, or second class citizen, or economic lower classes, and many other learned cultural behaviors. Becoming independent from this thinking means you have taken the power you once learned to ascribe to others, into your own hands. Thus you become an active participant in your own future, rather than passive. This garners attention, respect, and help from others.

  • Annette Skarin

    I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ve only been building a tribe or platform…for a few measly months. I’m humbled once again. I throw my hands up and say… “thank you Jeff for all your teaching posts.” p.s…I need a step-stool now. 

  • Jeff Scurlock

    Jeff, Great article and encouraging. I want to be a published writer but do not yet have the platform. However I have picked myself and I believe in myself and great articles like yours keep me going. So, daily I am working at building the platform that I need. Thanks for the encouragement. http://www.jeffscurlock.com

  • http://twitter.com/AmyPutkonen Amy Putkonen

    Great post, Jeff. So do you recommend self publishing for a first book then? 

    • http://twitter.com/ronbrooks77 Ron Brooks

      That was my same question.  I have self published my first book because I didn’t want to wait to be picked myself.  I was hoping see Jeff’s recommendation.  Maybe he has other posts addressing self publishing thoughts?  

  • Renata

    My only insatisfaction with this post is that I wish I had read it sooner. Thank you, Jeff. Your words were kind of like a hug (there´s one expression here that says ”squeezes/tightens without giving a hug’).

    Love from Brazil,
    Renata

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1251436735 Jason Maynard

    That was something I needed to read. Thank you for inspiration I did not realize I needed.

  • http://pickadirectionandgo.blogspot.com/ mickholt

    Jeff,
    This post sums up my BLOG – Pick a Direction and GO! After spending way too much time waiting for God to tell me what direction to take I was reading Psalm 25 – and when I got done I heard a voice in my head saying “now, pick a direction and go. Stop wasting your time. GO!” It was later that the BLOG came to life and it has taken me several years to come to grips with the fact that I am a writer that NEEDS to write. SO, I am back at it with a renewed – perhaps just new -  sense of  purpose when it come to my writing.
    Great post. Keep ‘em coming.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=633311393 William Mathieson

    Hi Jeff,

    Thanks for this article. I’m really enjoying your posts! Ill pop by again very soon :-)

    William

  • S.D.S.

    Wow. Great advice!  It’s so scary to think that no one will like you for who you actually ARE…but it’s sure a lot less work to just be who you are and let the chips fall where they may!
    Thanks!
    S.D.S.
    luxorlivingandstyle.com

  • http://twitter.com/LizVenusDotCom Liz Shewan

    Getting out of comparing yourself to others is also important – it’s a real dampener.
    Nice to meet you on here :) http://lizshewan.wordpress.com/

  • http://www.beardsforbreastcancer.com Adam Martin

    Great advice Jeff! Thank you.

  • http://www.yepinkizi.com/ yepi kizi

    Thank you for sharing useful information, I think I need it thanks!

  • Jemimah Kiiru

    And we have many platforms to start

  • http://www.jugarfriv.org/ friv

    Thank post. information

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