Would you like to know what’s the mark of a maven?
Recycling.
That’s what “experts” get to do. If they can paraphrase what they’ve already said many times, and still be followed, then it’s a sign that they’ve made it.
Recycling isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it’s important to perceive it, because that’s how you realize when it’s time to stop listening.
Maybe they are not talking to you anymore.
Maybe they are writing for someone new who still has to learn what you already have.
Maybe it’s time to start paying attention to what someone else has to say.
There is only so much one person can teach us, and that starts to decrease the longer we listen to them.
Yes, there is a comfort zone here too. Step out of it.
Sparked by Jenny Blake
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
A well-written (simple & rational) thought. Thanks!
My note/addition: The truly amazing move away from recycling and work on expanding ideas & developing new methods/thinking.
Good addition, I agree Bethany. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
The most important part is realizing that recycling ideas isn’t always a bad thing, but it’s important to realize it for what it is. Like you said, there might be other audiences out there that don’t know the information yet.
Golden Carlos, this hits home for me!
I love this post because this is something that took me a long time to realize. There are people that I read religiously (see: Chris Brogan) when I first got started in social media, that I don’t necessarily get as much value from anymore. It’s rare I read Dan Schawbel anymore. He has great content, but I -get- personal branding now. It’s fun to see how my tastes have evolved and changed as I’ve progressed at a blogger.
I find now that I read a lot more psychology and philosophy and think about ways to apply that to business as opposed to reading social media and more pedestrian marketing articles.
Give me someone new Carlos. Who should I be reading right now that I’m not?
R
Ditto. I still read Chris Brogan’s blog, but I find myself breezing through his articles as I’ve either already heard him say it, or I’ve heard someone else say it. I have really been enjoying his newsletter though…which is weird because I never like newsletters.
What are some psych and philosophy blogs you’ve been reading? That’s the type of stuff I’m really interested in as well. So many applications to business if you know where to apply it.
Great post here Carlos.
Ryan, David, thank you. I agree with both of you here. I unsubscribed from Dan’s blog and Chris’ as well, I’m convinced that I should spend my time elsewhere.
I’ll put a list with some of my fave blogs nowadays and send it to both of you, stay tuned. I wouldn’t mind if you send me yours in return
I think the most influential people know how to recycle. Maybe they had 1 or 2 new ideas (Facebook let’s say) which set them off and set them apart from everyone else. However, look at Facebook now. They’re recycling ideas from other social media properties like Twitter and Myspace. They were ingenious in doing this. They took the best from all the other (somewhat competitors) added to their own and still are maintaining their popularity and growth rate.
Great point, Carlos. I really like the idea of recycling and doing it well. We can’t be “new” with every single idea and thought, all the time. It’s exhausting and near impossible.
Yes, look at Seth, he’s a master of recycling. I also think that accepting that recycling will hae to be done at some point if you want to keep putting content out there, is a healthy decision. It doesn’t have to be that exhausting.