How Open Can You Be?

Your best self lies on the other side of vulnerability.

For example: I wish I could write and publish my work, and have it magically spread to millions of readers. I’m a low-key guy; I prefer to be at home and out of the way.

But that’s not life.

It turns out, my writing will only reach the eyes of thousands and millions of readers if I promote and market my work. After all, who else should care more than I do?

Once I realized this, I got to work begrudgingly posting on social media and reaching out to friends. And then something funny happened…

I LOVED IT.

Marketing is not only a necessary part of every creator’s process, but it is as much a part of my writing as sitting down with my pen or my laptop is. Learning about other people’s struggles, stories, and desires informs my work and what I should speak about. Without it, my work would be self-absorbed.

But after a while, I realized that my problem wasn’t actually with marketing at all, it was with being vulnerable.

Also, I didn’t like opening myself up to potential criticism or judgment. Vulnerability seemed like a weak position to me, and I hate feeling weak. But vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the opposite.

Vulnerability is the strength to show up and be 100% honest with everyone about who you are and what you do. It is knowing where you are excelling and where you are falling short, yet not tying either to your worth. It is being so preoccupied with expressing yourself and helping others that you don’t take the negatives seriously.

Doesn’t that sound a lot like confidence?

It does to me. So that’s why I want to encourage you to share more than they’re comfortable sharing, promote your self, and take on just a bit more than you think you can handle.

Keep your intentions pure, of course, but remember that you really can never