fear of giving too much
In my work, I do a lot of public speaking. After many of the seminars I have given, someone comes up to me and tells me that I gave too much away. Why would people hire me when I just told them everything they need to know? Don't I know that I'm hurting myself and everyone else in the industry by doing that? No. I don't.
This is my heartfelt opinion:
Someone taught you. Your knowledge of the tools may have come from a book, or a teacher, or watching someone work. If that someone hadn't taught you the basic elements, you would not have the tools or the knowledge to get where you are.
Fear will paralyze your creativity.
Let me say that again. FEAR will paralyze your creativity. If you hold back from creating because of your fear of sharing too much, someone else will probably come to the same idea eventually. I think most of us have seen an invention hit the market that we had thought of doing, right? The difference is that we sat back and thought about it, the creator actually did it.
The fear of giving too much away comes from a basic belief that there is just one pie of success in life. If you give something away, or if you show your work, someone will steal it and you won't have it anymore. If they have that slice, they are keeping you from having it.
You must remember that you don't ever GIVE your knowledge or talent away. You share it. When you tell someone how you did something, you don't lose that knowledge, you still have it. I think the fear of sharing information often stems from insecurity that the person you share the information with will do something better with it than you can! But you don't need to fear what others do! You are a unique, imaginative, delightful person that sees the world with a vision all your own. Concentrating on what someone else MIGHT do takes your gaze away from what you need to accomplish.
There is something else important about giving and sharing knowledge with others. You will gain more than you ever give. When you share with someone you get their feedback, you will see that information in a new way that might lead you to even greater inspiration. There is an old saying that the best way to learn something is to teach it, because to teach, you must really analyze the subject in order to explain it.
The Joy of Giving
Some of the most inspiring moments I've had in my life were when I was watching someone else fulfill their own potential. Have you ever seen a great concert and come away singing? Think how you would feel if you were one of the people that had helped the performer give that great performance.
As I meet more and more successful artists, I find that the most successful are also the most open to helping others. The know that they did not attain success alone. They also share an understanding that there is not just one pie of success. If someone else succeeds in the industry that you are working in, give a party! If someone else does it, that makes your job EASIER. The first person to walk down a path has the most difficult time. It is strewn with weeds and is bumpy. Each successive person that walks down that path makes the path a bit easier, until all the weeds are cleared and the path is smooth.
By the way, I do a tremendous amount of public speaking. I have found that in "giving too much away" during them, I have built a reputation for competence and knowledge that has helped my business grow immeasurably. I have worked with many aspiring designers and have been proud and thrilled to see them flourish on their own.
Yes, there are some people who will attempt to use you when you are generous. This is something I have struggled with personally. You need to set boundaries for yourself and others, and there may be some information that you need not to share. When you give information or help, you need to decide what you are willing to give for free. When you are sharing information, start out the conversation with your parameters. "I make my living by doing design, so I am happy to help with general advice, but I cannot give actual design information for free", for example. By setting those boundaries, I don't get taken advantage of. If the other person pushes for more information, I respond by saying, "I'd be happy to make an appointment to discuss that with you at my office. I charge $xx an hour, what day would be good for you?"
You will never know how many opportunities arise from sharing information or helping someone else. You will never know the joy and inspiration that comes when you see someone else succeed because of your help. Take a risk -- dare to share!
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