“Skills are cheap, passion is priceless.” – Gary Vaynerchuck
The woman with very tiny hands and very humongous ideas, Grace Boyle, is doing a little contest over at her blog and, seeing as it is 1. A good idea and 2. from Grace who is the bomb diggity, I’ve decided to take a whack at it. So, here we go.
When I started blogging, a little less than a year ago, I used it as a medium for me to showcase my skills. I was a senior who needed a job in a time where not many jobs were out there. I needed to set myself apart from everyone else, so, I figured a blog that I could slap on my resume and put in email signatures would surely prove I knew my stuff.
Fast forward to now. I still blog (duh), but not at all for the same reason. Now it’s simply because I’m passionate about marketing and I love talking about it with other people. I never claim to be an expert and love learning from others just as much as I enjoy teaching others.
So, why is this important? On a personal level, most skills you need for jobs can be taught pretty easily. With so many people going to reputable colleges, your skills aren’t going to set you apart from anyone. What you need to have to stand out is passion. This passion will bleed into all aspects of your job. Your interactions with coworkers, your interaction with clients, and most importantly, the work that you produce.
So, how am I “crushing it?” First of all I thoroughly enjoy what I do in my job. With one responsibility I’m able to help brands monitor online conversation around them, something they likely would not have the tools or resources to do on their own. On the other hand, I’m also able to help them plan and execute social media strategies, an area which most are largely oblivious to how to do correctly.
But how do I know I’m passionate about this? Because it doesn’t stop at work. I talk about social media and marketing here at my blog. I read about it in magazines. I’m helping a community organization build a marketing campaign around a Christmas event. Sure, I have the skills needed for this, but what makes my work meaningful to me is the passion I’ve developed for it.
What does the future hold and how am I going to “Crush It” on down the road? Good question. One I’ve thought deeply about and still am not sure of the answer. Maybe it’s my own agency or one with some of my closest friends. Maybe it’s leading marketing or social media for a company. There’s one thing I do know though. I want it to be something I’m passionate about. I truly believe that your passion will show up in all aspects of a company. Everywhere from customer service, to the product, to corporate culture. So wherever I end up, I don’t want it to be a place for me to use the skills I’ve learned. I want it to be a place for me to use the passion I’ve developed.
So that leaves the question. How are you crushing it?
Photo from Randy Stewart
{ 7 comments }
This is an awesome ending: So wherever I end up, I don’t want it to be a place for me to use the skills I’ve learned. I want it to be a place for me to use the passion I’ve developed.
That sums it up so clearly, Jackie. And I'm also cracking up about your intro line thanks for the kudos and the tiny hands shout out
You will see they really ARE tiny!
Thanks for participating. Like we've said, talking about ourselves isn't negative. It can be very powerful and the recognition is often important. Its about seeing where we've come, where we are and where we're going.
Maybe it's working with a co-worker on an e-book on badassery…
Like Grace I love the end of this post. I think it's something that is so much easier said than done and probably a little cliche, but I've really come to realize that if you love what you are doing then it isn't work. I think that a great niche for you IS making these business/marketing ideas accessible to the folks like me who wouldn't necessarily see it otherwise. As per usual, great post!
I was pretty proud of coming up with that ending
Thanks for putting on the contest, Grace, and may the best “crusher” win!
Haha, man we're really being held accountable for that e-book aren't we? I'm glad you find my writing very accessible, as I'm definitely not one that likes to use big words and all that mumbo jumbo. I'm from the south and we like to keep things simple round here
Well searching for a job is marketing. You are marketing your skills and passion. Most people who start companies have passion for their idea and their business. Most fail because they do not have the right skill set to make the company successful. What you didn't realize is that when you were job hunting you were using your passion i.e. marketing and you must of had some skills because you are in marketing now from what I could read into your blog. IF you really look at it to be successful in your passion you need the right skills to complete it.
Well searching for a job is marketing. You are marketing your skills and passion. Most people who start companies have passion for their idea and their business. Most fail because they do not have the right skill set to make the company successful. What you didn't realize is that when you were job hunting you were using your passion i.e. marketing and you must of had some skills because you are in marketing now from what I could read into your blog. IF you really look at it to be successful in your passion you need the right skills to complete it.
Well searching for a job is marketing. You are marketing your skills and passion. Most people who start companies have passion for their idea and their business. Most fail because they do not have the right skill set to make the company successful. What you didn't realize is that when you were job hunting you were using your passion i.e. marketing and you must of had some skills because you are in marketing now from what I could read into your blog. IF you really look at it to be successful in your passion you need the right skills to complete it.
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