Isolation - the Dream Killer?

The first time I watched this video I found it fascinating, but I was also a little sceptical. Nevertheless, it makes some great points and is, as most TED videos are, entertaining.

It has to be the case that if we don't get ourselves out there in some way, even if that's just online, we can't realistically expect others to know we exist, let alone want to be our friend or help us. It seems obvious, I know, but it's staggering how many people seem to be sitting around waiting for fate to knock on their door, for their big break, for somebody to recognise their (very-well-hidden!) talents. And I'm not talking literally here.

Our culture in this country is one of understatement, self-effacement, modesty, reticence, stiff upper lip-ness(!), not sharing, keeping ourselves to ourselves, which means that many of us feel very uncomfortable with any kind of self-promotion. It's not just that it's not terribly "British" to do it, whatever that means, but these attributes and attitudes are seen as somehow "good" or desirable, and we often accept that as the case, without question. If we put ourselves forward and fail, we'll be a laughing stock (at best); if we do it and succeed, we'll be leaving ourselves open to others taking pot-shots at us or rejection.

It's a dilemma and I suspect that American "brashness" will never sit comfortably for most of us Brits, but I'm not sure that makes it right or wrong (or even truly "brash"!). I've no idea whether what Barabara Sher is suggesting really works or not, but it's got to be worth a go, hasn't it?