Sometimes, you just outgrow things.
When you first learned to read, Dr. Seuss was awesome. Simple, rhyme-y, easy to grasp and remember. When you were little, you likely read those books over and over and never got tired of them.
Until you did. Until you needed something more to challenge you, to push your limits, expand your horizons. So you read different books with more challenging words and concepts, because you’d outgrown Dr. Seuss.
So, too, with your world, especially online. As it should be.
For every five people that say Chris Brogan has jumped the shark and that he’s not relevant to them anymore, ten more discover him for the first time and are inspired to do something new. For every person that thinks Seth Godin is doing it wrong because he doesn’t allow blog comments, someone picks up The Dip and finds a new perspective about perseverance. For every fan that is disillusioned by Tiger’s golf dominance or Duke’s winning dynasty, dozens of kids are inspired to find their new sports passion. For every class of newly-minted Harvard Business School graduates, there is a new stand of freshmen that will take those same courses and hope to change the world.
It’s okay to outgrow things. Sometimes, we even outgrow ourselves. Those that do great things are constantly evolving their own vantage point.
So if you’re not finding value where you are, seek out somewhere that will challenge you instead. You have not only my permission, but my encouragement.
There’s billions of sources of knowledge out there, many amazing ones that are undiscovered. Seek them out and expand your horizons. Better yet, create something new and better yourself. Fill the holes you see around you, and create a legacy of your own.
And remember that the well-traveled path for you is a new discovery for someone else.
image credit: Pink Sherbet Photography
nice pander to Brogan and Godin otherwise nothing here
nice pander to Brogan and Godin otherwise nothing here
Ahh, irony.
Janice – Then I wish you well on your journeys if you got no bigger idea from what I wrote than who I linked to. You probably won’t find much else here, either. I look forward to seeing and hearing about what you learn out there in the wilderness in deeper waters.
Awesome Advice Here, Amber! I’m a Big Fan of Folks Getting Off Their Duff to Make Their Own Good Luck ‘Happen’ …The Grass Is Not Just Going to Get Greener Around You Unless You Do Something About It…or (to your point) Find That Greener Grass!
Narciso Tovar
Big Noise Communications
@Narciso17
.-= Narciso Tovar, Big Noise Communications´s last blog ..What is Driving You…? =-.
This really hits home today. Sometimes outgrowing doesn’t necessarily mean departing from a thing, but rather it means building upon something. Your past experiences, your lessons learned, etc.
If we’re not outgrowing something, then we’re not growing, right? (This, coming from the youngest of five kids who got to wear a lot of outgrown clothing in my day.)
.-= Andrew Careaga´s last blog ..What’s the frequency, blogger? =-.
Ahh, irony.
Janice – Then I wish you well on your journeys if you got no bigger idea from what I wrote than who I linked to. You probably won’t find much else here, either. I look forward to seeing and hearing about what you learn out there in the wilderness in deeper waters.
Awesome Advice Here, Amber! I’m a Big Fan of Folks Getting Off Their Duff to Make Their Own Good Luck ‘Happen’ …The Grass Is Not Just Going to Get Greener Around You Unless You Do Something About It…or (to your point) Find That Greener Grass!
Narciso Tovar
Big Noise Communications
@Narciso17
.-= Narciso Tovar, Big Noise Communications´s last blog ..What is Driving You…? =-.
This really hits home today. Sometimes outgrowing doesn’t necessarily mean departing from a thing, but rather it means building upon something. Your past experiences, your lessons learned, etc.
If we’re not outgrowing something, then we’re not growing, right? (This, coming from the youngest of five kids who got to wear a lot of outgrown clothing in my day.)
.-= Andrew Careaga´s last blog ..What’s the frequency, blogger? =-.
I really enjoyed this. Great perspective on… perspective. Even public figures who have “jumped the shark” read books by people that inspire them to write the things that inspire us. This chain reaction helps us learn from everyone by proxy, really. If you’re no longer learning from Brogan and the like, find out what they reads and read that. I’m sure they’d be happy to share their reading lists, and I’m sure they’re long.
.-= Esther Steinfeld´s last blog ..An Open Letter to Journalists and Bloggers Who Are Journalists =-.
That chain reaction is exactly it, isn’t it? The fact that the sharing of information and knowledge at all different levels means that it’s always fresh and new for someone. I don’t learn from the same places I did two years ago, and I’d guess that I won’t learn from the same people two years from now. That’s part of why education is progressive and ever-evolving if you’re “doing it right”.
We can also learn new things by going back and rereading/challenging what we originally accepted as fact. If, several years ago, you were new to Chris Brogan, and now feel like you’re more advanced, maybe it’s time to think about what he says in a more critical way and form your own opinions.
And let’s face it, we can’t please everybody 🙂
.-= Esther Steinfeld´s last blog ..An Open Letter to Journalists and Bloggers Who Are Journalists =-.
I really enjoyed this. Great perspective on… perspective. Even public figures who have “jumped the shark” read books by people that inspire them to write the things that inspire us. This chain reaction helps us learn from everyone by proxy, really. If you’re no longer learning from Brogan and the like, find out what they reads and read that. I’m sure they’d be happy to share their reading lists, and I’m sure they’re long.
.-= Esther Steinfeld´s last blog ..An Open Letter to Journalists and Bloggers Who Are Journalists =-.
That chain reaction is exactly it, isn’t it? The fact that the sharing of information and knowledge at all different levels means that it’s always fresh and new for someone. I don’t learn from the same places I did two years ago, and I’d guess that I won’t learn from the same people two years from now. That’s part of why education is progressive and ever-evolving if you’re “doing it right”.
We can also learn new things by going back and rereading/challenging what we originally accepted as fact. If, several years ago, you were new to Chris Brogan, and now feel like you’re more advanced, maybe it’s time to think about what he says in a more critical way and form your own opinions.
And let’s face it, we can’t please everybody 🙂
.-= Esther Steinfeld´s last blog ..An Open Letter to Journalists and Bloggers Who Are Journalists =-.
I appreciated the assertive comment to wish someone well, somewhere else if that is indeed their greener pasture. Sometimes we just think we have outgrown our current pasture but really have not learned everything that is there, we just think we have!!
I appreciated the assertive comment to wish someone well, somewhere else if that is indeed their greener pasture. Sometimes we just think we have outgrown our current pasture but really have not learned everything that is there, we just think we have!!
Also always GREAT writing.
Also always GREAT writing.
I enjoyed the article but the Tiger Woods/kids analogy would have worked better before he became a bad role model for kids. 😉
.-= Hugh Briss´s last blog ..Why Isn’t There a QR Code on My Starbucks Cup? =-.
That wasn’t lost on me, believe me. But we could have an entire separate discussion about whether you’re judging him as an inspirational *athlete* or an inspirational human, and whether or not you think they’re inseparable.
See my friend Justin’s thought provoking post on same:
http://www.justinkownacki.com/2010/04/09/do-you-hate-the-right-people/
I enjoyed the article but the Tiger Woods/kids analogy would have worked better before he became a bad role model for kids. 😉
.-= Hugh Briss´s last blog ..Why Isn’t There a QR Code on My Starbucks Cup? =-.
That wasn’t lost on me, believe me. But we could have an entire separate discussion about whether you’re judging him as an inspirational *athlete* or an inspirational human, and whether or not you think they’re inseparable.
See my friend Justin’s thought provoking post on same:
http://www.justinkownacki.com/2010/04/09/do-you-hate-the-right-people/
I just discovered Chris Brogan this year. This post speaks directly to people like me. Chris recently came to speak at our Ad & Promo class at USC and I was very impressed.
I am new to blogging and am the type of people this blog and Chris’ blog seeks to mentor and nurture.
Amber, thank you so much for putting out this perspective. It is important for veteran bloggers like yourself to nurture and help us newbies.
I just discovered Chris Brogan this year. This post speaks directly to people like me. Chris recently came to speak at our Ad & Promo class at USC and I was very impressed.
I am new to blogging and am the type of people this blog and Chris’ blog seeks to mentor and nurture.
Amber, thank you so much for putting out this perspective. It is important for veteran bloggers like yourself to nurture and help us newbies.
Right on… I think expanding our horizons and migrating to greener pastures is a natural course we should all take (whether it be in our careers or in life in general). Constant learning, lust for the unknown and flexiblity to change are the best traits to possess. It’s the people who are complacent, who find comfort in safe patterns and “because it always works” that are the ones I like to avoid. Still, and to your point, there will always be people online who are at a different stage of “enlightenment” than you who will want to hear what you have to say. You may feel like you’re beating a dead horse, but most are hearing it for the first time and it will resonate with them.
Right on… I think expanding our horizons and migrating to greener pastures is a natural course we should all take (whether it be in our careers or in life in general). Constant learning, lust for the unknown and flexiblity to change are the best traits to possess. It’s the people who are complacent, who find comfort in safe patterns and “because it always works” that are the ones I like to avoid. Still, and to your point, there will always be people online who are at a different stage of “enlightenment” than you who will want to hear what you have to say. You may feel like you’re beating a dead horse, but most are hearing it for the first time and it will resonate with them.
Mmmm, yes. Sometimes you spend enough time in step with one voice and you find what you need, and you move on, because that’s growth. But I think it’s important to touch base every now and again, because the same words and the same vision can mean different things at different stages.
Dr. Seuss is just as relevant to me today. Only now, as I read his books to my daughter, he means simplicity, and hope, and the importance of retaining the playfulness of a child.
Mmmm, yes. Sometimes you spend enough time in step with one voice and you find what you need, and you move on, because that’s growth. But I think it’s important to touch base every now and again, because the same words and the same vision can mean different things at different stages.
Dr. Seuss is just as relevant to me today. Only now, as I read his books to my daughter, he means simplicity, and hope, and the importance of retaining the playfulness of a child.
Now go read this, by my teacher’s teacher:
http://www.skhquest.com/2008/10/09/we-cannot-go-back/
Sometimes, not only do you outgrow, but you MUST outgrow.
.-= Christopher S. Penn´s last blog ..Which is the real home? =-.
Now go read this, by my teacher’s teacher:
http://www.skhquest.com/2008/10/09/we-cannot-go-back/
Sometimes, not only do you outgrow, but you MUST outgrow.
.-= Christopher S. Penn´s last blog ..Which is the real home? =-.
I’ve been to China travel, in my opinion chinese people are very freidly, and i especially like the city of beijingshenzhen, i have a friend from china, i ike her blog discount china, now she is in Jewish, just now, she send me a Jewish Directory website, i think the it is very useful.
.-= dropship´s last blog ..How do I get power to Dewalt radio battery charger when plugged in? =-.
I’ve been to China travel, in my opinion chinese people are very freidly, and i especially like the city of beijingshenzhen, i have a friend from china, i ike her blog discount china, now she is in Jewish, just now, she send me a Jewish Directory website, i think the it is very useful.
.-= dropship´s last blog ..How do I get power to Dewalt radio battery charger when plugged in? =-.
Thank you for what seems to be, for me, a very timely post. Your insight into learning from, and eventually outgrowing, teachers and mentors over time is apt. Every promotion, every new responsibility means that the challenges we faced in our former roles have been overcome, lessons learned.
I find this post particularly on-point because I am in the fortunate and frightening position of having achieved a personal benchmark role in my career, but as I find myself looking for guidance and inspiration I came across your blog only yesterday. Perhaps one day I will also move on, but for now your insights are pretty valuable.
– Jessica
Thank you for what seems to be, for me, a very timely post. Your insight into learning from, and eventually outgrowing, teachers and mentors over time is apt. Every promotion, every new responsibility means that the challenges we faced in our former roles have been overcome, lessons learned.
I find this post particularly on-point because I am in the fortunate and frightening position of having achieved a personal benchmark role in my career, but as I find myself looking for guidance and inspiration I came across your blog only yesterday. Perhaps one day I will also move on, but for now your insights are pretty valuable.
– Jessica
Amber, Out growing is the key I think. The old saying, “you can’t put new wine in old wineskins” illustrates this. If we don’t continually get out of our confort zones we can’t grow. So, bravo! As we continue to change and learn we challenge and inspire each other to do the same. Thanks.
.-= David Horne´s last blog ..Start with Simple =-.
Amber, Out growing is the key I think. The old saying, “you can’t put new wine in old wineskins” illustrates this. If we don’t continually get out of our confort zones we can’t grow. So, bravo! As we continue to change and learn we challenge and inspire each other to do the same. Thanks.
.-= David Horne´s last blog ..Start with Simple =-.
Amber – Right on. Another point I’ll add is that outgrowing yourself, expanding and reaching isn’t easy. In fact, in many cases it can be downright painful (well worth the reward). I greatly respect people like Chris Brogan, Seth and YOU for pushing yourselves so hard to reach new heights. It’s an inspiration and motivation for me to watch and occasionally walk a few steps in your journey together. Keep it up!
.-= Ken Burbary´s last blog ..Dispelling the Youth Myth – Five Useful Facebook Demographic Statistics =-.
Amber – Right on. Another point I’ll add is that outgrowing yourself, expanding and reaching isn’t easy. In fact, in many cases it can be downright painful (well worth the reward). I greatly respect people like Chris Brogan, Seth and YOU for pushing yourselves so hard to reach new heights. It’s an inspiration and motivation for me to watch and occasionally walk a few steps in your journey together. Keep it up!
.-= Ken Burbary´s last blog ..Dispelling the Youth Myth – Five Useful Facebook Demographic Statistics =-.
Amber,
I knew there was something wrong with me. I never outgrew Dr. Suess. 🙂
Best,
Rich
.-= Richard Becker´s last blog ..Closing A Case Study: Tiger Remains Virtually Unchanged =-.
Amber,
I knew there was something wrong with me. I never outgrew Dr. Suess. 🙂
Best,
Rich
.-= Richard Becker´s last blog ..Closing A Case Study: Tiger Remains Virtually Unchanged =-.
Interesting article. I find this a challenge because like Richard Becker I rarely outgrow stuff too. I guess we both have the Peter Pan complex. And sometimes, it’s hard to leave your comfort zone. But I like it that the article pushes us to challenge ourselves and find the greener pasture. There is a rule in marketing that “There’s nothing like the first taste” What I mean in this is when you go to a restaurant, you eat their food, and it was the amazing experience you ever had. Next time you go there, it’s not as amazing anymore. After years of going to that restaurant, eventually you’ll get tired of their food. So, eventually we move on to new restaurants, seek out new oceans. But more inward towards ourselves.
It helps if we are able to see and
visualize our green pastures.
Interesting article. I find this a challenge because like Richard Becker I rarely outgrow stuff too. I guess we both have the Peter Pan complex. And sometimes, it’s hard to leave your comfort zone. But I like it that the article pushes us to challenge ourselves and find the greener pasture. There is a rule in marketing that “There’s nothing like the first taste” What I mean in this is when you go to a restaurant, you eat their food, and it was the amazing experience you ever had. Next time you go there, it’s not as amazing anymore. After years of going to that restaurant, eventually you’ll get tired of their food. So, eventually we move on to new restaurants, seek out new oceans. But more inward towards ourselves.
It helps if we are able to see and
visualize our green pastures.
Until a brand has stellar, public, digital relationships with a large portion of its consumers, there’s still much to be done. There’s always an opportunity to grow share of voice. There’s always an opportunity to provide stellar customer service. There’s always an opportunity for brands to inspire positive conversation.
The folks who are moving on may have expected Twitter and Facebook — in and of themselves — to be the silver bullet. They’re channels, much as the telephone is. Without someone talented to man the phone, the phone is useless. Without knowing what you want to say on the phone, the phone is useless.
I have to say, however, many social media professionals may be making the rest of us look bad. A New Jersey Social Media Hall of Fame? Really? This hype will only make social media fall out of favor more quickly.
(Not to whine, of course.)
Until a brand has stellar, public, digital relationships with a large portion of its consumers, there’s still much to be done. There’s always an opportunity to grow share of voice. There’s always an opportunity to provide stellar customer service. There’s always an opportunity for brands to inspire positive conversation.
The folks who are moving on may have expected Twitter and Facebook — in and of themselves — to be the silver bullet. They’re channels, much as the telephone is. Without someone talented to man the phone, the phone is useless. Without knowing what you want to say on the phone, the phone is useless.
I have to say, however, many social media professionals may be making the rest of us look bad. A New Jersey Social Media Hall of Fame? Really? This hype will only make social media fall out of favor more quickly.
(Not to whine, of course.)
Awsome post, especially for me at this point in time. I am personally and professionally struggling with the very challenging issue of outgrowing where and what I have been, yet not quite sure where and what I should be next. This is not the first time for this challenge and I’m sure it won’t be the last. And it’s never easy. But nice to have it put in a positive perspective. Thanks.
Awsome post, especially for me at this point in time. I am personally and professionally struggling with the very challenging issue of outgrowing where and what I have been, yet not quite sure where and what I should be next. This is not the first time for this challenge and I’m sure it won’t be the last. And it’s never easy. But nice to have it put in a positive perspective. Thanks.
A very timely reminder – I went to a tweetup last night, and when asked, half the audience indicated they weren’t doing social media. Momentarily dumbfounded, I realized that we often take far too much for granted. Our burger is someone’s else’s steak.
A very timely reminder – I went to a tweetup last night, and when asked, half the audience indicated they weren’t doing social media. Momentarily dumbfounded, I realized that we often take far too much for granted. Our burger is someone’s else’s steak.
Why is it that we’re often judged for doing exactly that: outgrowing our current role, responsibilities, job? Often, it’s this outgrowing that leads to better things personally and professionally — and even sometimes better things for the company or people who are judging us for moving up, on or sideways. Outgrowing is a natural — and necessary — part of life, and one we should embrace and encourage. Thanks for your insight. =)
.-= Laura Maly´s last blog ..Are you designing a horse…or a camel? =-.
Why is it that we’re often judged for doing exactly that: outgrowing our current role, responsibilities, job? Often, it’s this outgrowing that leads to better things personally and professionally — and even sometimes better things for the company or people who are judging us for moving up, on or sideways. Outgrowing is a natural — and necessary — part of life, and one we should embrace and encourage. Thanks for your insight. =)
.-= Laura Maly´s last blog ..Are you designing a horse…or a camel? =-.