One type of people who always fascinate me are listeners. It takes longer to figure out what's going on in their heads, if ever. They just look at you and absorb all you say to them. It's not that they'll use that information against you. They understand better than others that we should listen more than we speak, given that we have two ears and one mouth.
Good read - ideally I would love to make money anonymously, but at some point it seems that some level of attention is necessary, but that depends on what level of success they are after.
We all want choices, and the bigger the range, the better.
Anonymity is probably a luxury, at least to an introvert, like myself.
This makes me wonder if I should try start one of those "faceless" online channels that makes the register ring with affiliate marketing. Sounds like paradise...
You touched on it in your article, and an approach I've taken recently, with my foray into content creation, is to interview people - to shine the spotlight on them. I find it easier to do that, than to be the subject.
That said - a faceless marketing channel that gushes cash sounds cool...
I would add that your 'Quiet Winners' also have their own definitions of success. I do not claim to be successful by standard metrics, but I am by my own.
Can one truly be successful if one's success is defined by the metrics of others?
Another one I want to say is the "best" ... you have had several of late. I love #2, #3, and #6. The #3 is my favorite because I often get asked "why do you ask so many questions?" I love hearing what others think!!!
I like it, however I don’t agree with one point. I don’t buy the idea of doing good work just for sake of your own satisfaction. In the end everyone needs some kind of recognition from the others to understand you are a part of a bigger community joining efforts to achieve more than individual contributors.
My wife is one of these people. Beats the hell out of me how we ended up together. When I met her 15 years ago, it took months for me to pry out of her what her background was, where she went to school, where she had lived. She loves to dress nice, but that hides even more how brilliant she is. And she's always curious, always asking questions - kinda drives me bonkers sometimes. But that's what allowed her to get to where she wanted to go. And she has NO presence on social media - no Facebook, no LinkedIn, no instagram, no Twi-X, nothing. She's a brilliant modern-day ghost.
Loved this, great post. In this era where you have to promote yourself on social media to get eyes, it's tough to keep quiet. But if you are doing great things, people will hear about it. Also, let someone else tout themselves, or better yet, tout you.
I have to say I mostly disagree with the idea that a lack of personal branding, a sense of style, and willingness to share your wealth of knowledge and success is an asset to the betterment of others, including yourself. Being ‘successful and quiet about it’ seems less like a selfless act and more like a selfish one. At least it was the case as far as style is concerned with for instance, Sam Bankman-Fried.
Everyone can and has to an extent a sense of personal style. What they do about it, in the end, is indeed their business.
Love this concept of quiet winners when social media can be dominated by those who are the loudest but not necessary know what they are talking about. How can we foster a culture of listening and understanding with the technology we have these days that encourage a sense of growing and nurturing instead of showing off and mindless scrolling?
One type of people who always fascinate me are listeners. It takes longer to figure out what's going on in their heads, if ever. They just look at you and absorb all you say to them. It's not that they'll use that information against you. They understand better than others that we should listen more than we speak, given that we have two ears and one mouth.
in such times of cheap dopamine... my God it is so good to read something like this. Thank you!
Good read - ideally I would love to make money anonymously, but at some point it seems that some level of attention is necessary, but that depends on what level of success they are after.
We all want choices, and the bigger the range, the better.
Anonymity is probably a luxury, at least to an introvert, like myself.
This makes me wonder if I should try start one of those "faceless" online channels that makes the register ring with affiliate marketing. Sounds like paradise...
You touched on it in your article, and an approach I've taken recently, with my foray into content creation, is to interview people - to shine the spotlight on them. I find it easier to do that, than to be the subject.
That said - a faceless marketing channel that gushes cash sounds cool...
I would add that your 'Quiet Winners' also have their own definitions of success. I do not claim to be successful by standard metrics, but I am by my own.
Can one truly be successful if one's success is defined by the metrics of others?
Another one I want to say is the "best" ... you have had several of late. I love #2, #3, and #6. The #3 is my favorite because I often get asked "why do you ask so many questions?" I love hearing what others think!!!
I love it when you write about the quiet, success-by-our-own-measures, winners in our communities 💪🙏
Tim , I love the accolades you give to those who quietly and diligently turn up. Again your insights and wisdom resonate and encourage, thank you
"The meaning from their work cuts so deep that if a loud human being understood it they would give up their life and start again."
Yes. This. I've never been loud. Nice to know quiet is not a bad thing...
I like it, however I don’t agree with one point. I don’t buy the idea of doing good work just for sake of your own satisfaction. In the end everyone needs some kind of recognition from the others to understand you are a part of a bigger community joining efforts to achieve more than individual contributors.
I refrain from following boisterous people, they talk much but have nothing to say.
My wife is one of these people. Beats the hell out of me how we ended up together. When I met her 15 years ago, it took months for me to pry out of her what her background was, where she went to school, where she had lived. She loves to dress nice, but that hides even more how brilliant she is. And she's always curious, always asking questions - kinda drives me bonkers sometimes. But that's what allowed her to get to where she wanted to go. And she has NO presence on social media - no Facebook, no LinkedIn, no instagram, no Twi-X, nothing. She's a brilliant modern-day ghost.
Thanks for sharing
It’s such an interesting observation, when people get a little money they show it. When people become wealthy they don’t.
Similar to “The Millionaire Next Door” - fascinating book.
Loved this, great post. In this era where you have to promote yourself on social media to get eyes, it's tough to keep quiet. But if you are doing great things, people will hear about it. Also, let someone else tout themselves, or better yet, tout you.
I have to say I mostly disagree with the idea that a lack of personal branding, a sense of style, and willingness to share your wealth of knowledge and success is an asset to the betterment of others, including yourself. Being ‘successful and quiet about it’ seems less like a selfless act and more like a selfish one. At least it was the case as far as style is concerned with for instance, Sam Bankman-Fried.
Everyone can and has to an extent a sense of personal style. What they do about it, in the end, is indeed their business.
Love this concept of quiet winners when social media can be dominated by those who are the loudest but not necessary know what they are talking about. How can we foster a culture of listening and understanding with the technology we have these days that encourage a sense of growing and nurturing instead of showing off and mindless scrolling?