I have an associate who introduces himself in the following manner: "I'm Jack. I'm a photographer, a massage therapist, and I'm also a programmer." His business card actually says all three titles as well. Talk about having a multiple identity crisis. Jack is hoping that the person he is speaking with finds at least one of these skills useful, and potentially sign on as a client. Jack is hoping to hedge his bets.
Jack's strategy is based on insecurity. He isn't secure enough to believe that he can have a relationship a person without having to offer them a service. He is insecure about not being of value to people. He is insecure about choosing the wrong profession, so he chooses all three. What Jack does not realize is that by attaching himself to all three professions, he is actually saying he is not confident about his own skills. He is actually betting against himself.
Let's put it another way. If someone handed me a business card that said, "I'm a brain surgeon and a ballet dancer," not only would I want to visit a different hospital, I doubt you'll see me showing up at her ballet recital anytime soon. Sooner or later, you have to stop saying you do XYZ "on the side." Sooner or later, you have to start believing in what you do. Sooner or later, you have to start being confident about who you who you are, and who you want to be. If you don't have confidence in your chosen field, how can you expect your clients to have confidence in you?
Young B. Kim is a writer, artist, serial entrepreneur, and the creator of ideavist™. Young's mission is to help people make their ideas happen through his writing, coaching, consultations, and through speaking engagements on ideation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Read more of his articles, visit www.ideavist.com