Sometimes it's a matter of in the wrong environment or associating with the wrong people and/or customers stop using your service and so there is a long lapse in between high activity interactions.
So I will keep quite a few jobs that I do on the to my last breath - just have to wait until I meet up the right folks. I am no way a hard-seller - I'll only offer my services when someone wants it.

Hi Derek,
This article is vey helpful for me at this stage in my life. Thank you!
Joe D

I love this it's so true!

Very insightful AND motivating 😴.

Great thoughts! I recently left a cushy job because I realized that what needed to be on my CV wasn't really true anymore, and now, I'm doing what I'm called to do in an even more effective way! So glad, I made the leap!

Thanks Derek, it's like you sent this out just for me as I have just started my new job as of a month ago, and for a college grad, it's a bit unnerving. I really appreciate you sharing your wisdom and I look forward to more posts.

I've thought about that idea so much and it's refreshing to know that others have done so as well. The quagmire for me has been defining that subjective "cut off" point. While past accomplishments cannot and should not be ignored, at what point is one resting on his or her laurels?...I don't know exactly when either. Thanks so much for posting this ☺!

"And if you don't like the idea of losing your title, then do something about it! This goes for titles like “good friend”, “leader”, or “risk-taker”, too." <-- I'm glad you went there Derek. It's what we all need to hear more of. Thank you once again for another thought-provoking and simple dialogue of your reflection. Always appreciated. Keep them coming. Cheers, Ram (Sydney, Aus)

If you are once musician, you always musician It never expires. If you earned it once by releasing an album, this not going to change because you did not release an album in a while. The skill itself does not expires. You either are or you are not because never was.

One cannot be forward moving . And be content with measures from the past .

Derek /ChiaSen: This article you just published is outstanding & really blow my mind away when I see the wording "premature sense of satisification"

As this is what is really happening to me, My keeping my titles & what I've done in the past, it really prevented me from doing the hard work necessary, which I view it to be absolutely important!

Thank you so much Derek! I'm gonna to do the same as you from now & improve myself upon erasing my titles & doing the "needed " necessary hard work

ChiaSen

Derek/ChiaSen:

you might remember me from your Taiwan trip, as Taiwan is very much like Japan, depedency on our title or past is very much a credential and for people to recongizned us, how do you think I can manage my various business card titles & past performances?

How do I substiute with something which will lead me into the door of client?

ChiaSen
Keep your titles and qualifications active by doing a little work on them. Don't let them expire. — Derek

I agree. It's work to keep on keeping on !
Sometime we have to let go of things in our past and it's ok. It makes more room for things to come.

You continue to inspire me. I'm so impressed with what you've done, the life you've lived, the contributions you've made to others. After earning wealth at a young age, you took that as an opportunity not to sit back and take it easy, buy rather to do good for others.

Your article reminds me of the line from "Saving Private Ryan" - "Earn it." Private Ryan was given an opportunity and made the most of his life. We can never say we've done enough. As long as we live, we need to continually make the most of the time we have on this earth.

Like watering the plants! Or holding a note with a horn!
That's the image I get.
If you stop, it's not there anymore!
☺
Always reinventing yourself!
The past is behind...
Thank you.

Yes! There's a time limit to how long you can hold onto a piece of your identity if you aren't being a practitioner. Thanks, Derek.

This was really helpful. I've been fortunate to have had some great successes in my past but it's a good wake up call to realize I need to continue working for my "title" or give it up.

Thanks for this.

Perfect timing! Yesterday I decided to take down an eight-year old blog and workshop and ditch my old title because it is taking focus away from my new entrepreneurial venture.

The skills and knowledge are still there but claiming them as current can be dead weight.

On point

Hmm. I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator for over thirty years. A dry spell hit, and the phone rang. I was offered a position as a Manager of Fine Arts in an art store. I did that for eighteen months. I started each morning with a half hour working in watercolor. Each evening I de-stressed with a half hour doing watercolor before dinner. What am I? I'm an artist. I began at age 14. It's an uncertain life of feast and famine. And I'm fine with that. But whatever I do, there is no other title I can use. Manager is the one I gave up when I left that job.It was their title, not mine. An artist is what I am.
Love your posts btw, as well as book notes. Enjoy your vigorous appetite for life!

I agree and it's a helpful reminder. I think your publishing co, nucleotide, and other things permit you to leave the title. It's taste I suppose.

I've used the term "recovering musician" for years. This was partly due to the recovery I required from living a challenging to maintain "musician" lifestyle and partly due to the encroachment of a competing "entrepreneur" title. I've enjoyed gaining back "musician" over the past year+ as I've actively re-pursued my musical life.

Dude, I am LOVING the quick, yet insightful reads!

Thank you for your constant motivation and courage to share what is very raw and meaningful in your life. Keep kicking ass, Derek.

Looking forward to hearing about your next big project.

-Renee

Its incredible how pointed your posts are. 'Distilled Wisdom Seeker/Provider' - thats a title for you that can probably never expire Derek!

Staying relevant within yourself. Don't get stuck in the past. Create new. We chase that feeling of overwhelming work success. If we fail in love then work will validate us? What happens when work already did? Are we chasing that validation that we "still got it?" Scaling has lead us to believe that if we don't meet our quota we fail. Derek you say you're not an entrepreneur at this moment, I say anyone who has impacted me the way you have is just that. You're posts change the world the way you would like it seen. I'm simply validating that!

Derek, even so: you're permanently useful and will be one of the world's best coaches for eternity.

Only read a few comments; including the one that says to keep the labels, honors etc in hope of them helping us/you gain success.

He made a great point.

You acknowledged the truth in his reply; then found the words to inspire/lift him/her and all readers to do the beneficial way to NOT remove the long ago earned titles. BRING THEM BACK TO LIFE with actions.

That is why I am honored to call you one of my mentors.
Thank you.
Bru Mo

I keep working. I also have to keep a day job. I try to put out releases whenever I can. Sometimes when it's slow, it doesn't mean I've stopped. It means life is happening around me....,which, by the way, can be inspiration for new material .

A songwriter who writes a hit, is always a hit songwriter. Though writing the next hit is always more difficult, the majority of musicians live their whole life without ever writing one. Though the past should never hold us back from defining our future, our past hits will always be a major part of us.

I like that this can help people focus on what they are doing now, and on what they want. Anything that inspires focus is a good thing, for focus breeds success.

Derek,spot on usual.Now you have brought attention to this,I see you more of a life coach and a personal management adviser than an entrepreneur,in miltary terms CD Baby was the officers bars and now you instruct and train others.To excellent work.

Nah. The fact that you did it and aren't still doing it doesn't make you not it. Course whatever you want is ok by me. Up to you.

Why do we need to define ourselves by titles? A doctor who doesn't practice cant use Dr in front of his name? A General who is retired from the army cannot be addressed as General? The two examples are a give away on titles. Why bother?

A Classic example of: "You wanna talk the talk? You gotta walk the walk"! Thanks Eric. Thought provoking as always.

Cheers!
Al

Love it!

Derek

At the risk of being tendentious, I think we need to ask ourselves the more profound question, are we 'ever' our titles?.

The problem for me is that even though I've slapped the regnant title(s) all over my bios (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn and my blog (juliansummerhayes.com)), I'm acutely aware that in defining me this way, I'm likely to have lost or evaded my humanness. (The 'human' part of us in human being.) What follows is that we think we have to live into our title(s). But at what cost?

One last thing. I think it's the world we live in that expects us to have a title so that they can put us into a neat and tidy box. This applies particularly to recruitment where if you don't have the right labels you can't even get a sniff of a job interview.

Sorry my friend if this cuts across your post -- you know how much I dig your work -- but it's how I feel about things.

PS. I was obsessed for many years about making partner in the world of law. In the end, I realised it was not me and never would be. Being a good bloke, as one of my clients said, was far better to hear.

This is a powerful piece. My main takeaway is that more important than what you declare to others it is what you tell yourself about your identity and to not let it become a mental block from seeing how you can best apply yourself in your present reality.

What a dude, practicing what you preach!

Can't agree more, the satisfaction that you get by holding onto something that was your past is dangerous for your present and future both. So, show what you are NOW rather than what you were when you were 16 year old or whatever.
Loved it!

Great post - the wisdom lies in keeping those titles fresh by spending a bit of time or effort to keep them fresh. If I really want to keep those titles. Like good friend. Professionally I feel a bit like a fraud as I keep some titles that I DO work on but that aren't going great (because of lack of real effort - too many balls flying mid-air at the same time as being off and on energy-wise).

By the way I really like your view of intensive focus on one task/project at a time - as opposed to strict routines and habits on different projects running at the same time. Reminds me of the Waldorf-schools main-subject (two school-classes every day for avout a month), then switching to another main-subject.

So if I had a title "good friend" where good friend meant hanging out several days a week, I think I should be able to keep that title if I spend lets say a weekend every year with this friend alone. However if this weekend is spent with several old friends it probably means the title is a bit outdated and needs some time and effort spent on keeping it fresh.

Hey Derek, thanks a lot for these words! I'm so guilty of clinging to titles - and the funny thing is, that I already knew it just didn't realize the effect of doing it!
I keep describing myself as "a physicist, hacker, commander of a Zerg hive", because that's how I identified myself before, while at least 2 out of 3 is now just historic (still hack in our hackerspace here, but been unfortunately out of academia for years, and haven't played a game of Starcraft for longer than I can recall). Definitely worth a revision, even though I wouldn't know what to say yet - I'm just me...
On the other hand, there is something I feel occasionally regarding these titles: the aspiration due to them (such as "I know I'm not X now, but I can make it to be X again) can work wonders motivating people to achieve the things they set out to. The trick is (as often the case), to be able to distinguish when it is time to give it up, and when it's time to double down...
Cheers! :)

I love your scorching honesty, Derek and I agree with much of what you've said. And yet... I'm wondering whether dropping past achievements can be an egoic need to feel 100% honest (this is not necessarily you, I'm talking in general) and it doesn't necessarily serve the greater whole.

For example... I host a podcast and I'm always looking for guests who have incredible stories which will be helpful for others to hear.

If someone who was previously a successful entrepreneur comes on the show to share their experiences - the challenges, the pitfalls, the growth etc - that could be incredibly beneficial for listeners.

This is just an example but I think it applies more widely in how we can connect to others through stories.

Hello Derek,
You're making perfect sense here. Expiring old titles, leaves one to add new ones.In your case, "It's apt" You are always striving for change, which in the end you share to all.

Very timely, this article captures the essence of the constant tug-of-war, with the ,twenty-first century mindset and twentieth century,outlook.The now versus the what was.

My page change notifier picked that up. I always want see when a new book has been added so it sends me a mail when the page changes.

- Programmer, writer, entrepreneur, avid student of life. I make useful
- things, and share what I learn.
+ Programmer, writer, avid student of life. I make useful things, and
+ share what I learn.

I feel bad about my resume, some skills there are very rusty but I still would like to mention them. Some that I never want to use again, I have expunged completely.

Very inspiring and awakening to the moment. We went out tonight and met several musicians and exchanged cards. Q&A like do you still perform or write or record or collaborate slapped me into the moment of exactly what I am willing to do or not do with what time is left. With projects in various stages of completion I sometimes feel scattered or fulfilled but never bored and occasionally a fraud for saying I am writing when I am really incubating.

Spot on, Derek. Thanks for sharing.

Ninja's and guru's should take note of this post...

This is very true, I also think some titels should not be given to oneself, like "polymath" that is for others to declare.

Great thought i must admit, but more for those who have leveraged and earned from their titles much of the goals they set out to get. Among mine is PROJECT MANAGEMENT which i studied i love to use some day and MUSICIAN which among my titles i have not actively used for some years now. All together there may be a title i might drop that's why i think its a great thought.

All very true - I still struggle to find my title to begin with! Something doesn't feel right about 'entrepreneur' when I m more of a 'solopreneur'.....I don't relate to coach.....I do relate to consultant but I feel that is a title I struggle to let go of from my corporate days....I guess I m still niching down my business and finding my true offering and maybe it will come to me out of the blue one day....here's hoping anyway :)

Derek-- thanks for all your honest thoughts . It is so important to keep moving ahead- trying new paths & updating yourself to reflect that :) As an indie artist it's especially important to reach for new music, new venues, new shows & to have your promo reflect that because so many people never update you in their minds-- they are willing to assume you do the exact same show all your life :)
But I've found the updates are the miost valuable for myself because it leads me into music & situations that I'd surely miss otherwise :)
And it has led me to believe all performances are REal - not just the ones where you are paid well :)
I hear many performers devalue their performances because they played for free & didn't have an agent book them on a tour -- but I've played in many impromptu situations where I know folks will remember it all their lives even though they will never know my name :) Last fall during the Cultural Revolution Holidays -- the Shanghai Music Conservatory was closed for the holidays & everyone was turned away-- so I grabbed my banjo & played right there at the gates to a crowd that was so delighted to hear music that day-- to folks who came from rural parts of China-- they will always associate that location with wonderful banjo music :)
And courses & lessons -- they have shifted the way others think of me & how I think of myself . I'm still surprised when someone calls me a vocalist because for so many years IVe only recorded instrumentals -- but new audiences don't know that -- they only see you as you are in the present -- so you can keep updating yourself & they get to see & hear you as you really are-- not just a memory :)

Wise words, Derek. Life is about moving forward. While it's great to have accomplished things and perhaps held some fancy titles in the past, we can only milk those for so long. I LOVE your statement "Holding on to an old title gives you satisfaction without action. But success comes from doing, not declaring."

So very true!

Thanks for spurring some thinking and hopefully some action today.

Absolutely superb in both its brevity and intense truths. Thank you.

Fair enough, actions speak louder than words, although its (entrepreneurism) is also a state of mind, many people don't understand at all why anyone would want to br an entrepreneur - regardless -?best of luck for next venture!!

I like it. Very timely, I was listening to the Jocko Podcast (#32, 9 minutes in), where Jocko and Echo talk about whether people in jiujitsu should be demoted in belts for either not continuing to work out or for being out of practice. They came to the conclusion that you get the title for the work you've put it and once you've done it once in jiujitsu, they can't take it away from you, the title is for recognition of what you've done, not necessarily who you are today.

I thought it was an interesting counterpoint to your post.

http://jockopodcast2.com/2016/07/20/32-privileged-people-leading-women-teams-discipline-equals-financial-freedom-does-micromanaging-ever-work/

Thank you Derek. Totally agree, none of us would like to hire someone who earned a qualification long ago, and who was done nothing to stay up to date. We should apply the same standard to ourselves.

Very good! This is true and very important for our society, lest we fool ourselves into complacency, mediocrity and eventual destruction.

I wholeheartedly, disagree with ned, who believes this perspective comes from a "position of privilege." Honesty is not a luxury, it is a virtue that is sometimes, very hard-earned, but can only manifest through desire. Every person on this Earth, has the power and gift of "higher needs," regardless of economic, or social status. Not everyone cherishes, or respects that opportunity, because honesty takes more effort and self discipline, than dishonesty and self indulgence. Thank you Derek Sivers, for standing in the fire of truth.

Great post! This should also apply to skills on resume, particularly skills that are no longer sought by the industry. For example, just because I have done Fortran programming in the past, I couldn't write a simple "Hello World" in Fortran today without looking at the language reference, and even if I did, no one would care.

Excellent point - as always. Thanks, Derek!

Who pays you? If your income is generated by what you're doing and you pay your self, then you are an entrepreneur. If you're getting paid by somebody else I have a hard time thinking of you as an entr if your income is generated by what you're doing and you pay your self, then you are an entrepreneur. If you're getting paid by somebody else I have a hard time thinking of you as an. Entrepreneur

Well, of course us avid readers are now curious to hear if you have any thoughts about your next startup :)

That aside, I agree with you. Sooo much. I really dislike when people abuse of their past accomplishments and keep pretending to be something that they're not anymore.

I've always struggled with titles. Then it dawned on me that I struggle with labels too. They just feel too embedded in concrete. Left wing, right wing, conservative, socialist, republican, extrovert, introvert. So what?

Imagine a world without these labels. One where people say what they really mean. I think I might just go and delete my LinkedIn title, which I must have changed a bazillion times. Thank you for the reminder :)

I recently posted a quote on my FB wall related to this. Great post and I think it has the same affect as throwing away clothing you don't want to wear anymore. Remove clutter.

“Success isn’t owned, it’s rented. And the rent is due every day.” - Rory Vaden

Derek,
It is true what you say; however, you continue to have the entrepreneurial SPIRIT proven by your desire to start another company someday; to me, you have the right to say you're an entrepreneur.

As my nine year old would say, "same." Short for "I agree." Short, concise and well stated. Good to hear from you.

Matt Draper
www.speedreels.com

I guess my main title these days is "My Dog's Best Friend"
She makes me earn it every day with periodic episodes of frisbee catching.
Won't take no for an answer. Follows me around with it up here on the farm, reminding me of my commitment. I have to earn my "title" daily..and i'm thankful that i still can.

Derek, You are a rockstar & that is a title that describes the essence of what you're all about.
Your very presence is enough to inspire.
I remember seeing Audrey Hepburn in her final years. She had not done a movie in decades, & was too frail to do much of anything but just show up. & that was enough to get her standing ovations, & to inspire others to "just show up" too. & that is something I learned from everyone that inspires me, including you, no matter how trivial something or someone seems, just showing up can change the world, or at least change your perspective on how things really are & should be.
U RAWK!

Hi Derek,
Funny coincidence is that similar thoughts have actually
crossed my mind not so long ago !
Many moons ago I had a jazz combo band ( few of them ).
Each time I would assemble top cats to play with me, I
would call & advertise ( Villlage Voice ) my gigs, club dates,
under the name "The Jazz Enterprise"...already sounds
pretentious, doesn't it ? LOL...
20+ yrs ago I even registered the name in The State of
New York as my own business, my JAZZ ENTERPRISE !!!
Guess what, it was successful, we all had fun, made more
$ than we actually needed, I lived in Manhattan , had two
( different size & color ) full sets of Yamaha Power Recording
Custom drums with a stack of Zildjian's worth more than a
new Honda Accord...
We played all over town, recorded CD's of which most
where released & distributed by cdbaby.com, which
happens to be how I met Derek, their founder & prez., and
so on....
To the point - Jazz Enterprise still exists on paper, but do I
play as many gigs as I used to ?
- No
Do I record, play clubs on a steady basis as before ?
- No
Times have changed, yet if asked what I do, I still
( sometimes ) , answer - " I run a music business" ...
Do I really ?
- No.
I agree 100% with Derek, I am not earning it any
longer, it's a ( valid ) relic from the past.
Yes, these days I have been playing with the
Lale Nenadovic Acoustic Force Band, but I do not
own it as a business, nor am I the president, merely
( and it suffices ) a band leader, and proud of it !
Thank you Derek...you made a great point, which I can
relate to !
Best regards,
Lale Nenadovic

Spot on as always Derek! Consider using "inspirer" as your new earnt title...

All the best,
Jimmy

It makes sense, to not rest on one's laurels. Having said that… there's a fine (or fuzzy) line in what you mentioned. A grandfather claiming that he was the best footballer as a boy certainly doesn't justify him to use that title anymore. But a grandmother who used to be a won the best baker competitions as a girl does not not justify her to bake good stuff again.

There are some accomplishments which have a certainly longer "expiration date". And that's why i'd still like to praise (or flatter) people for their past accomplishments. ;-)

Shit! I lost my whole , complete back-at-you message ! Yeah , after struggling to say just the right thing, in that message , I lost it, because your warning page flipped up AND SAID "GO BACK" you forgot to put in your email address. I WENT BACK, YEAH! no MESSAGE was SAVED. So YOU SHALL NEVER KNOW WHAT GREAT THINGS I HAD TO SAY ! Yeah!

So my time will not have been a complete loss, let me share with you something I witnessed yesterday here in Daytona Beach . I feel like a tipster as I write, and I might be.......because my eyes were opened up to the reality which has been denied happening by the national press and broadcasting gurus . Trump is more popular with the people now, so it seems to me than ever before if the Daytona Beach Ocean Center Auditorium PACKED to the rafters crowd is any indication. I have never witnessed a more excited, energetic crowd of people ! And I must confess, I to was excited . He's the real deal !

You're right. You're very right!

Right on Derek! Such a good reminder here, both to move on and to keep updating my skills, etc.

thanks man!
cheers

...motivational guru?

Interesting point, Derek. I suppose it depends on how you define yourself.

Are you only what you are currently working on? I think not.

I believe you are the culmiation of your past, rather than something you are currently "doing".

As if you are currently doing something, working towards somthing, you haven't earned that title yet?

Josh

Hello Derek,

I sincerely enjoyed reading your excellent message. I very much appreciated your thoughts and it encouraged me to honer your request for a reply. You made really good sense Derek. Your superior way of being understandable with great suggestions and business points are quite admirable. I feel the same! However, there are always situations beyond our control that cause time delays, in our desires to re-establish ourselves in our chosen careers. Case in point!!!

Last month I unfortunately dislocated my left shoulder. Sure it hurts and causes loss of time towards achieving ones ultimate goal, however, to me, success is having the right attitude and patience in dealing with set backs. Like loosing a long 10 year career job with nothing you have done personally. Yet being quite a big setback to your career as a whole. I know, I've been there. Also remembering that the loss of time usually turns out to be not as bad as you think it will be. The music business has so many ups and downs and the problem is, peoples minds can not comprehend the time needed to turn things around and go in another, (new) direction to achieve their desired goal or goals. I turned pro at age 21 after graduating from the "Naval School of Music" back in 1959, and I'm still at it at age 76.

In another 3 months and 17 days I'll be 77 years old and happy I still have the health and can keep working to stay in my chosen career. At this time we are planning to soon move to the state of Missouri, where another opportunity has opened up. Like they have stated for years and years, when a door closes another will open. This is where your patience comes greatly into play. They have never stated how long it will take for that door to open and many folks just give up loosing the dream and patience needed to allow time for it to happen. It appeared not too long ago right in the middle of when my life's career seemingly was going forward, in several ways, it went backwards. At least for a period of time. I have devoted my entire life to keeping the thought... someday it will happen for me.

Please go to my website at www.DavidBalph.com ... entering it into the HTTP: line on your computer browser...so my website will come up. Advances in technology have caused my website to not appear in google any more, at least without an expensive rebuilding of my total website. Your message brought remembrance to lots in my past regarding the subject in question.

Starting at age 18 my desire to stay in music has been uppermost in my mind and life. After visiting and absorbing my website,... just put my name (DavidBalph) into google where lots of sites will appear showing more accomplishments accomplished in my long career and lifetime. One with my brother Roger,(now deceased) working together crossing our country by foot, with a big ambition in mind. While there, also look for "Health Spring Winner" and you will see me performing on Trumpet as the winner of the senior, "Silver Stars" competition here in Nashville. An entertaining senior contest for people,(over 60) held back in 2011. At age 71, I ended up winning the senior talent contest over 300 people who auditioned for the show, with a top ten run off off at the famous "Ryman Auditorium," right here in Music City. This win brought with it a prize of $5,000 dollars performing only one song. A great boost mentally in continuing to pursue my life's dreams and goals.

I have accomplished a lot during my lifetime, but still have miles to go so that I'm personally satisfied in my life's accomplishments. After going to my website seeing photos and reading about my past and present musical career and accomplishments, please click on, "The Big Walk" and scroll to the bottom where you will find a video about why it took 3 years of walking to cross this great country of ours, entertaining in many states and places to pay for our journey. It explains the great determination put forth towards achieving a successful career and why. In my 456 page book entitled "The Big Walk", I wrote about walking across our country pushing a hand built pushcart, (built by yours truly,) weighing over a 1000 pounds loaded with camping gear and musical instruments, attempting to achieve a goal with my brother Roger, when there wasn't a McDonald's on every corner. We took on this massive undertaking creating enormous public attention and interest in our trek. This took place over 50 years ago in 1963 to 1966 performing from L.A. California, towards NYC, to be on the former NBC TV "Jack Paar Show". It also explains our purpose and why we ended up here in Nashville, TN.

My website also covers why I devoted a large part of my life, (23 years)to the US Military,... performing in military bands doing personal shows in South America, Europe, Hawaii, and once performing for a U.S. President, President Ronald Reagan, and much more. Your comments of changing your goals in different ways and directions, is the big secret in making your career continue to blossom and gain greater acceptance and success. You are so right Derek!!! The sky is the limit in working towards your personal desired level of success and satisfaction, while continuing to push forward until your total desires are met,... or the Lord decides your time is up and takes you home to haven where all your life experiences will be used to blossom there.

I'm still listed and have a CD with CD Baby having sold hundreds of CD's over the many years I have been affiliated with this company. Besides others, my CD Album on CD Baby is entitled, "20 Legendary American Songs with 10 Christmas Classics" covering two bases in one 2 CD album with all the songs in the Public Domain.

The only way to see where I'm totally coming from is to visit my website and absorb all the effort put forth to this point and still gaining momentum. My life has been a great study for me in patience and experience of what to do and what not to do in attaining your goals.

Responding to your writings above has kind of turned this response into a book, but I have enjoyed expressing how much I agree with your thoughts and ideas Derek. Hopefully you got a message of, "Faith, Determination and Good Music" from what I have written to you today, taken from my 456 page Book,
"The Big Walk".

In closing, (even though I know you have no way to remember) I would like to mention I met you personally many years ago back stage for a very short chat, after one of your presentations about how to get your music heard and so on. It was a very good presentation and held at the very old, now refurbished and greatly updated,(and on the National Historic List) "Belcourt Movie Theatre," located on Belcourt Avenue right here in Music City, Nashville, TN. It was a pleasure! I wish you continued success.

Best regards,

David Balph
website www.DavidBalph.com enter on the HTTP:line in the computer bowser.
E-mail: [email protected]
678 Harding Place
Nashville,TN 37211-4445
Home 615-834-8705
Office 615-331-8921
Mobile 615-260-0596

'youre only as good as your last.....'
previous achievement momentum ebbs
reignite tge fearless amateur within

you are right on, I would call myself a songwriter when I would write a song or two but when I had slump period
i would tell my wife either I am a songwriter or I am bunch of bullshit

Hundreds of people describe entrepreneurs by dozen of attributes, risk-taker is common.
Practice identifying entrepreneurs much closer to the cause. Entrepreneurs value their freedom more than anything else. More than security, insurance, retirement, political correctness, wealth, sleep, position.
Derek, you are an entrepreneur. Period. I have know you for years. If we need to talk, you know where to find me.
Building is Rebuilding.
Are you ready or shall we pause a little longer?

Parker DeVore
Entrepreneur

This article gave me an intellectual bone to chew on.

Today, I am a writer. That's my title and I honor it every day--to my employer's delight. But, years ago I was a singer/songwriter and performer. 9/11 effectively took that away from me because I didn't want my introspective songs causing people to cry, when we'd already cried so much.

Singer/songwriter was a title I claimed with wild abandon. It was my identity, my calling, and finally a memory. I don't know if I will ever earn that title, again, maybe yes, probably no.

I'm a writer, churning out words, content, stories, you name it, although it is never of my choosing. That's what my personal blog is for... Although, I haven't given erotica a whirl, yet. That might be next. I hear it pays well.

This article, Derek, made me reflect on who I am, who I was, and who I am going to be.

Nicely done!

This reminded me of a quote by Herbie Hancock:

"A jazz musician is not a jazz musician when he or she is eating dinner or when he or she is with his parents or spouse or neighbors. He’s above all a human being . . . the true artform is being a human being."

Wow Derek, your article just slapped me with reality check. Great writing. I was totally shaken. Now how I will start the first step in renewing those that expired that I want revived and those that's soon to expire . . .

Thanks for writing this, Derek.

It reminded me of theological arguments I used to read about why God created the universe. One of the arguments for the creation of the universe was: "God has the potential to create, but He cannot call Himself a "Creator" if He's not creating."

The same applies to all His other attributes. He cannot be the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Just, etc. if there is no expression of these attributes.

I find it useful to ask myself: "What does {x-attribute} look like in practice?" If I'm not practicing that, can I claim to possess the attribute? We can find instances of good or bad attributes in our past, but does that reflect who we are right now? If so, how are we expressing them?

200% spot on but I don't think you can completely remove specific title once you earned it (in this case entrepreneur), as you are helping fellow entrepreneurs with knowledge & contributing in few other ways - thanks to originally earned title. Let me put it this way - You developed a program & gave it away (earned title as 'programmer'). Later, even though you mayn't actively working the program for a year or so . If some bug comes up, you will be fixing it (may with lesser title 'Support engineer' or 'tester'). Though this role seem to less important than original title - this secondary roles are possibly only because you are still a 'programmer' :) thanks!

Spot on as usual ☺ thank you Derek

Self assessment is soooo important -- in all regards

And then marketing follows suit...or so we'd like to think?!

Not resting on one's laurels is not always easy to do

Truth telling to ourselves first and foremost has so much power

Being able to let the past go sure does open the gates for renewal

Three cheers !

If a person writes one or two songs, does this deserve the title of songwriter? Especially when they have never had one recorded. If a person gets drunk once, does he/she deserve to be called a drunk? In some cases once is enough to earn a title, like Olympian champion, bank robber, murderer, rapist, etc. Some titles deserve to stay while others should be dropped after a while or be preceded by ex as in ex governor, ex girlfriend, ex wife, etc. As denoting what they once were but no longer is.

Another area where "Keep Your Identity Small" (http://paulgraham.com/identity.html) applies, I think.

I've learned that you have to keep moving -- physically, intellectually, socially -- to keep from regressing. There is no "resting state". The older you get, the more important this is. You start losing muscle mass after age 35 (sarcopenia). You lose friends as they pass on or move on. And our hard-earned knowledge becomes obsolete more quickly than ever. Today's accomplishment is like a stick thrown in a river -- it quickly floats out of sight and is gone forever. Keep moving.

To paraphrase Harold Geneen, in his book Managing, Words are words, performance is reality. I applaud you for your honesty in updating your message and for continuing to inspire and look to the future, when you return to the world of entrepreneur.

If one is a former President, they are still called President...
A retired priest is still considered a priest...
Those I know that have been an alcoholic, still refer to themselves as an alcoholic....

You may not have created a company lately, but you have inspired many entrepreneurs who are still doing great works, dancing, and inspiring their own first followers.

Thank you,
Mike

Long time no see! I'm glad to read his page again!!

Sometimes, my old title had given me a confidence to do something new. But sometimes, it was not good for me to have confidence too much. So I realized that I have to keep doing and focus on what I'm doing now.


On my way for my next plan, When I become like Lazy, how can I push me up by myself?

Excellent, and totally agree.

Derek, at first glance of the subject line I thought I was about to lose the subscription, the sense of entitlement I had to your blogs. As I read on I realized you were shaking the apple tree making way for new buds and I had to rethink my entrepreneurial title too, hmm. I think for most entrepreneurs we're always thinking, processing. Mentally we're always "ON". Although the lower hanging fruit has been picked it doesn't mean the higher branches are unreachable.

I'm looking for a CEO, no pay until profitable and 50% of profits already earmarked for charity. What do you think Derek?

You are a cool guy, forever in my book. You get that title to hang on your office door forever, as far as I'm concerned. Thank you for your consistant insight and frank wisdom. I appreciate you, and pretty much always read what you have to say about everything.

best to you
and see you round the next bend.
Nicola Gordon in Santa Barbara CA(in case you're in the area-where are you now anyway??).
☺

Such a truthful sharing. I noticed pretty much the same thing for myself recently. It was time to remove the title or re-earn it. Also... I took several years mostly off from my work due to family demands and noticed how quickly the phrase "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" became reality. So family needs are settled now and I am coming back..... I've re-evaluated and refocused. Re-earning and expanding my titles.

Great, very honest!

I've just had this sentence in mind "When you resist yourself, you're not doing nothing... you just do something else that correct."
( for myself )

A really fresh take Derek on the danger of riding on coattails of our own pasts, instead of asking what we have done lately? Sometimes it is difficult to update our identities, but if we don't we are living a lie.

I would add that for being a friend.
Although after a certain level of friendship is reached we may never loose that title (is good for a lifetime), there is a great loss in happiness that remains in the real of "could've, would've" because the urgent supres the important.

We get caught up on running errands, the daily routines, kids, work and what not, and cease to devote time and attention to one of the most important things in our lives - friends. And yes, family and work are also high on that list.

Many people see their facebook number of friends big and assume that is truth, or remember a time they had always so many colleagues and people to hang out with, and since no fight happened, they just count those as friends. But as you said, you should work to constantly earn your title.
Some friendship may last a long time, distance may be a difficulty, but there are ways to counter that. Keep devoting time and attention, keep nourishing your friendships. That's what I think.

Totally agree Derek

Read "But success comes from doing, not declaring." and thought: But declaring can galvanize the doing.

So... I am a writer and a photographer and I will keep myself to that promise.

Thanks for this! It took me a long time to accept I was no longer an entrepreneur, and to give myself permission to set it aside. I have weird self-esteem issues tied up with giving up my business and "going back to work", which is really dumb - my current occupation is not my dream job, but it is easy work in a nice environment that allows me to enjoy and improve relationships that I had inadvertently neglected during my time as an entrepreneur. I am a less successful business person than I once was, but I am much better at being a Happy Person these days. I hope to retain that particular title, and I feel like I'll make a much better choice of other titles because of it, should the time come to do so.

If you were an athlete, but no longer play, you may no longer have the title "athlete," but you will always have the title "ex-athlete." And that title has meaning too. It means you have experience to draw on. It means you may be more qualified to coach that which you engaged in athletically than someone without that experience. And so on.

The same goes for "ex-entrepreneur" and many other examples.

Using the prefix "ex-" can reconcile the dilemma of being honest both about your current position and the influence your past still has in your life.

I absolutely agree. The article makes me think about the question of identity. How one introduces themselves is linked so much with how we see ourselves to be. Sometimes we may cling to an identity for lack of better one. I have been pondering about how we can introduce ourselves if it is not with our job titles and what we do and still sound authentic. Any thoughts on this topic from you and the community will be much appreciated.

Great post and totally agree. I'm going to go through my bios and update.
By the way if you need a partner or investor in your next company then look no further I am a true fan of yours and would enjoy building an empire in giving back and making the world a better and happier place (and I've no doubt this is what your next company will do!)

Right on!

I needed this. Thanks again.

So true thank you!

So true. I need to review some of the titles I give myself in the present-tense when they are in fact achievements or characteristics of my past.

Would also love a post about the title that one is aspiring to. How should an aspiring entrepreneur/writer/artist speak about themselves & what they do?

Hi Derek,
Always thought provoking.

Do titles always = identity. Like I am a Soldier or I am a father?
Can titles be aspirational? I remember reading an anecdote about Steve Wozniak of Apple. He used have a fake ID wearing an eye patch and called himself a "Laser Safety Officer", I thought that was fun.

Perhaps you should call yourself: an entrepreneur in waiting, PRE-trepreneur or student entrepreneur that might be fun too.

So refreshing!

I thought about it, and it did change my perspective on what's going on in my life. Some might call it depressive and discouraging, but I think it is oddly motivational and inspiring.

Need to hustle and earn some titles back! :)

Thanks for this. I am a musician but realize it's been awhile since some serious playing. Your article got me thinking, best be getting to the practice room. Thanks for the motivation, as always. You need to add "motivator" to you title.

Derek,

Your articles constantly reminds me to stay on track. Thanks for the motivation.

Meaning, you void the past [titles], but not the lessons learned and the experience gained while wearing however many hats/titles? Good!
You used the example of an athlete, however; do not those who see themselves as a title run the risk of limiting their own concept of self; and growth potential in other or at least another lesser attended gift or talent? This perhaps will not apply to those such as yourself, with multiple successes, but - staying with your example; what about that athlete who since childhood has worn the football helmet, and identifies himself with not just the position of linebacker, but the thought and idea - with earned bragging rights of being the most fierce and feared? Being in the present is to say the least, a challenge. It's also an idea upon which with greater interest, as you may notice, I have expanded.

killer... send me to reality... helpfull, thank's very much
I have a lot to read here!!!

got to earn it every single day. like it, really feel it.
spouse, parent, friend,executive, good person

My father has a saying: "Even Jesus had to do a miracle every day."

yeap ... don't rest on your laurels

I've played many computer MMORPG in the past.

One of the systems you would normally encounter is the "Title" bonus.

Slay "x" amount of monsters and you suddenly become, "Slime Obliviator" that displays under your in game avatar display name visible to the public and a nice little bonus perk added to your stats. The system only allowed you to wear one of these titles at any given moment.

I feel that this is similar to an accomplishment one would attain in real life. You start a successful business and sell it. But eventually, life moves on.

You can still wear the title and tell people, "Hey, I'm "xyz" founder :D, that sold for 5 mill. Cool right?" After so many years, you eventually surpass that phase in your life or perhaps stagnate.

In that case, you can either still hold on to that old title and hold it as your claim to fame or move on to something different (perhaps something even better or more exciting).

This is really an authentic post of truth. Very insightful.I will be sure to apply these tips in my life.

Keep up the great work

From your Curacao based friend

Rodney Bourne

This: "Stop fooling yourself. Be honest about what’s past and what’s present"

I feel the liberation of being brutally (well, kindly) honest with myself when I address this.

And now I can share with others.

Thanks for the nudge and guidance, Derek.

Great post! Too many of us define/limit ourselves by our past accomplishments.

"Success comes from doing, not declaring". I will try not to forget this line. Thank you for writing such a realistic line.

Absolutely How liberating and what common sense. I just did that to my pages..ps I was in Circus USA and later in a band promoting my Album! Now I am finishing my PHD in public Health. My music page is separate from my most active life activities of program management and PhD research completion. sh, THE Dichotomy Of Our spirit!

I took a hiatus from my music starting in February of 2014, and since then have had my heart broken, and my spirit bludgeoned by the love of my life. So I spent the following two years studying psychology, which helped my (still not fully recovered) recovery. But at least I want to make music again, Although, this time my music is being hindered by the knowledge that I must be focusing on relocating away from Canada.

But I still feel guilty for neglecting my music, and do not wish to delete "composer" from my resume.

The line "I updated my home page to reflect what accomplishments are in the past. It’s liberating to speak in past-tense about what’s passed, and only speak in present-tense about what’s actually present." is really spot on.

What company are others asking you to start?!

How does "career capital" play into this? How can we sell ourselves to potential employers without using labels? And what happens if we want to revisit part of our previous career later in life, such as leave the desk job and become a football coach? Can we claim that "athlete" title again or do we have to earn it? And what is the path to earning it changes, especially with coaching where you are on the sidelines?

Thanks for this Derek, it's inspiring! There's an awful lot of 'excess titling' going on today, I hope others get the opportunity to read this and wake up a bit....the world would be a better place.

wow Derek. this rang so true for me . I need to do the same ! Im no longer a ........... if i am not CURRENTLY DOING it ! powerful stuff . really , need to revise all my sites now !!

thanks for your great insights, always

Lea.

On the nose! I've seen titles and bios that were more aspirational or historical than accurate reflections of current activity. I'm guilty, too. Holding on to genuine past accomplishments mostly to stroke my own ego.
Thinking also about the purpose of titles: to convey, or establish, one's place in the social hierarchy, or to reflect the value one offers in the present?

We also see this when musicians are asked to categorize their music and they list every possible genre ;)

Thanks as always for sharing, Derek!

Brilliant.... loved this one, particularly; and yes, it hits home for me - but not in a negative, "beat myself up" kind of way, but like a typical Sivers article: thoughtful, searingly honest and from a foundation of deep, deep awareness. Thank you, Derek! Thank you!

Ridiculously true. Period.

we are what we do

Thank you so much for your words - more jarring than my morning coffee! Glad I took time to read this. Have a great day and continued success with whatever you finally decide to put on your business cards.

For #34, the concept you are missing is "title as a compensation from the rest of us."

You can't ask an educated parson to be as poor as a church mouse without at least compensating by calling him Parson Brown.

There is a scene where a man is referred to by his old rank, he protests that he is a civilian now. "Yes, but you are entitled to the honorific." Sure, because he earned it by serving us through blood, sweat and tears.

Wow, this saying would have helped me when I worked for Union Bank data center. I knew I had arrived, because my name was on the office door. I needed to keep growing. I was stagnant and comfortable with my title thank you for this article

Carla Cunningham

tnx I've come to a lot of conclusions from this article!
u not bad bloger/writer

That was one of the best things I've learned playing tennis (pretending to be a pro): doesn't matter how good you were in the last match, if you don't win the next one, you won't have the title. And even if you have the title, you will only be the number until the next tournament starts. And there was one starting every 15 days across the country.

Thanks for this one!

Sometimes things do happen that are beyond our control which is when we need to have compassion & kindness for ourselves & others & be prepared to offer support without judging

G-d Grant me the
SERENITY
To accept the things I cannot change
COURAGE
To change the things I can &
WISDOM
To know the difference

Derek, Your truth is Naked and it serves me. Thanks for giving your exactly,

My real estate company got destroyed in 2009 in Dubai in recession. After that, though I got financially free, I got a spiritual awakening and love to have simple like you..

But still I want to always start a company ( which is not true)..

Most of the time I am reading books, writing and investing on personal level.

I am no more an entrepreneur!