Self-Promotion

My reflection this morning is on self-promotion.  As a writer in today’s market, the only way to sell books—outside of having a very well known person on radio or TV give you a recommendation—is pure self-promotion.  Setting up book signings at every nook and cranny you can find, having cards made to pass out to everyone, websites, etc.  It’s a full-time job, and somewhat expensive, really.  .

For two reasons I have failed at this part of the writing profession, although I think my writing is good.  One is time—I have a full-time job that pays the bills and am in a doctoral program.  Not much time for anything else beyond relationships.  Second is my personality and values orientation.  As a Christian I have had it beaten into me that “He must increase and I must decrease.”  There may be a line that one can walk between self-promotion and humility, but I haven’t found it yet. 

For every minute one spends in self-promotion, one is taken away from the real work.  In my case, that real work is a calling, whereas self-promotion is not.

This is not to say I am humble.  I have taught for 33 years and think I’ve done a pretty good job of it.  I know a lot of teachers who should get national awards but they don’t because they quietly do their work but no one champions them.  How does one get championed?  By making sure one is noticed. 

I am reading UPSIDE DOWN LEADERSHIP by Taylor Field.  An excellent book as counterpoint to a class I am taking in leadership.  He is pretty adamant about the need to be faithful with what you are called to do and let the leadership placement part be in God’s hands.  I recently tried to get a leadership job but did not because the people making the decision wanted someone from a different academic background.  That’s ok, really.  I have bigger fish to fry, and it might be that God never puts me in another leadership position again.  For my own benefit and that of others.  I won’t be qualified to be a leader just because I finish a doctorate in organizational leadership. 

Other times I think I am not in a leadership position because of laziness.  I do admit that I don’t have the energy I used to, and I like time alone to read and reflect and do my own thing.  A person desiring leadership usually must want it very badly, which I can’t say I do.  When it is thrust upon me, however, I do it well.