I was reading an article about Brooklyn Decker. Who? Yes, apparently she is the wife of American tennis player Andy Roddick and starting to make a name for herself as an actress, after turning her back on a very successful modeling career.

In the article, Brooklyn claims her successful break into the world of acting was partly because she was prepared to ‘get herself out there’. I hear this phrase so many times… you know, the ‘you’ve got to get yourself out there’ if you want to:

• Impress the partners
• Find new clients
• Get promoted
• Be seen as partnership potential
• Build your own client portfolio
• Be noticed by the people who matter
• ….

Whilst I don’t dispute the requirement to put your head above the parapet, I do query the requirement to get yourself out there. The phrase ‘get yourself out there’ stinks of desperation and doing anything to get yourself noticed by the right people. All too often those people who subscribe to the ‘get yourself out there’ school of thought end up being exceptionally busy, always having something on the go, and very often losing sight of what is really important to them.

Before you start down the road of ‘getting yourself out there’, think very carefully about:

• What sort of reputation you want to create and whom do you want to create this reputation with?
• What is important to you outside of work, which you are not willing to sacrifice?
• How can you build the reputation you require by thinking laterally and making choices that require minimal input of time from you?
• If you are going to have to attend an event, which events will you prioritise? Who do you need to speak to at the event to make it worthwhile?

What do you think?