December 31, 2009 88 Comments

Bragging Rights

Growth on my Head

There are lots of year-end posts going around. They’re all lovely. I see predictions. I see a huge trend of “best of” posts that I think are largely due to Christopher S. Penn sharing how he did his. I see lots of wrapping up posts.

Oddly, what was on my mind, was bragging.

Becky McCray has a “brag basket” set up on her blog, where you’re supposed to comment on the post with things you want to brag about. I’ve done it a few times. It’s always left me feeling weird, because I’ve been taught (like most of us) that bragging isn’t very useful.

But man, I really feel like bragging about 2009.

I want to brag about my family: about Katrina managing my family’s daily operations and handle my crazy travel schedule, all the while being a caring and thoughtful participant in the success of what I’m doing. My mom and dad, who are now acting as my backoffice for a lot of my work, and who are researching and editing and doing all kinds of interesting things for my upcoming projects, as well as managing my business schedule. I’m proud of Violette for being interested in food and cooking, and Harold for being able to read much better than a 3 year old should, and because he’s potty-trained (thank you, Kat).

I feel proud of my New Marketing Labs team: Colin Bower, Bob Collins, Justin Levy, Colin Browning, TJ O’Connor, Stephen Saber, Nick Saber, and our support teams, who gave us a huge great first year in business. I want to brag about Coffeehouse Ideas, who did lots of design projects with us, as well.

I want to brag about Christopher S. Penn, Whitney Hoffman, Michelle Wolverton and all the amazing volunteers and teams who put on successful PodCamps this year, and for what we’ll all do in 2010 (not to mention their own amazing careers and projects).

I want to brag about Jon Swanson, who writes amazing blog posts on more than one blog (if you’re Christian, you might also like his 300 Words a Day blog. (I’m not especially Christian, and I love it).

I want to brag about Megin Hatch and the team at GNMParents for writing great parenting materials. Same with Doriano “Paisano” Carta, and Jeffrey Sass, who keep the fires burning at Dad-o-Matic.

I want to brag about C.C. Chapman and Mitch Joel, who have so many great projects on the go, and who are pillars of their community.

I want to brag about Julien Smith, for all his accomplishments with co-authoring a New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling book, as well as his own incredible blog. (that was cheating)

I want to brag about all my friends who acted as trust agents to their companies in 2009, like Christopher Barger at GM, and Scott Monty at Ford, and Frank Eliason at Comcast, and Paula Berg at Southwest, and Jenny Cisney at Kodak, and Kenny Miller at MTV Networks, and Jess Berlin at Cirque Du Soleil and Bonin Bough at Pepsi, and Peter Fasano at Coke, and Bert DuMars at Rubbermaid, and Fergie Devins at Molson, and George Smith Jr at Crocs, and just all the incredible people I’ve been able to meet and share ideas with.

I want to brag about all the great people I met in 2009. I met around 10,000 new people this year, plus got to catch up with several hundred wonderful people at the few hundred events I attended. It’s a crazy life, flying all around the country (and the world), to New Zealand, to Mexico, to Paris, to Amsterdam, and all the other amazing places I’ve been, and what keeps me going is finding people like you, who are driven and motivated and passionate and connected to what comes next. You might think it’s cliche, but it’s you who makes this all worthwhile, and believe me, I talk to Kat all the time about how I’d pack it in if I didn’t have as many amazing friends and community members like you out there.

This year proved to me that you can be ambitious, can have a strong sense for business and revenue, and still bring as much human touch to what you’re doing as possible. The more I reach out, the more I connect with people, the more I give as much as I can away for free, the more it pays off.

But that’s because of the great people I’ve come to know and spend time with, and from all the time I can put into building relationships that matter.

Thanks for an amazing 2009. See you in the new decade.

One last thing: I’m most proud of these two speeches I gave in 2009. If you have some extra time, give them a browse:

From Web 2 Expo 2009 Keynote:

From New Media Atlanta 2009 Keynote:

Thank you. I see you.

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  • http://www.projectauthenticity.com Robyn

    Chris,
    Great post, I love the photo of you and your son! A huge thanks to your family for sharing you with all of us. I have to brag on you, thank you for all you do, your support and encouragement, for introducing me to new people and content that have spurred me to think differently and given me the confidence to share my voice. You rock! I'm looking forward to seeing how the human as business model evolves in 2010 as well as your new ventures! Happy New Year my friend! Most importantly thank you! Sawubona

  • http://www.medxcentral.com medxcentral (Jim)

    Congratulations! Great to see a Boston Guy making it. Great work. I love how your success is being shared among your family. Nice touch. You're very fortunate.

    Here's to 2010!! Cheers. And, Happy New Year!!

  • courtneywiley

    Love this post. Way to turn the spotlight on someone else–something that many have forgotten how to do. ;) Happy New Year and many blessings to you and yours.

  • http://blog.optimalupgrades.ca Elie

    Loved the first presentation! Thanks for sharing, and there's nothing wrong with bragging on occasion, as long as it doesn't become a predictable habit.

  • naciecarson

    I believe “bragging” involves being obnoxious, something I've never felt the need to accuse you of being. It seems to me you aren't so much bragging as exceptionally thankful and proud of your accomplishments and of those close to you. Congrats on what seems to have been a fabulous year for you, and I hope 2010 brings you more success beyond your imagination!

  • http://www.jeffreysass.com sass

    Congratulations Chris on an amazing year, and I am honored to have contributed to a small part of it through Dadomatic, and I greatly appreciate all of your recognition and support along the way. There is a fine line between “bragging” and being proud, and you have every right to be very proud of all you have accomplished, and more importantly, all you have shared this year. One only has to read the comments and re-tweets, and conversations your work has instigated to recognize the true impact you have had on so many people who have found something you wrote or said as their own inspiration to turn on the perspiration and follow your lead and go for it (whatever “it” may be).

    While we should always appreciate and enjoy (and brag about) our past accomplishments, we should also always believe that the best is yet to come! With that in mind, best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday and a prosperous New Year!

    THANK YOU!

  • http://www.wakeupcloud.com/ Henri J

    Thanks for the keynotes, really enjoyed them! Here's to an awesome and creatively crazy 2010.

  • http://uptownuncorked.com geechee_girl

    Great photo :)

  • http://www.avenue3re.com Lois Ardito

    Thank you for bragging……feeling good about your accomplishments, family and friends is energizing and inspiring.
    Oh yes, and thank you for including me in your post ( I'm one of the 10,000 new people you met this year).

    Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy 2010.

  • http://APeacefulResolution.com/ Andrew Lightheart

    Hey Chris.

    We see you too.

  • kimanncurtin

    Yay for this post! I will check out Becky's Brag Basket!

    Bragging must be in the air! I just made up the “Peacock Awards” for the best Brags of 2009. Even if it's a flaming failure- at least someone was out on the field & in the game!

    Most of us have read Marianne Williamson's quote before but it's worth repeating: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

    I see you Chris! And I thank you!

  • http://potpolitics.com jsinkeywest

    Happy New Year :) 2009 was good to you :) Hope 2010 is better Peace

  • http://schneidermike.com schneidermike

    The way you're spouting you'd think you were a best selling author or something. <rolls eyes>

    A great summary of your 2009 . Looking forward to seeing what you do in 2010.

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan

    Congrats Chris.

    There's nothing wrong with bragging as long as you stay focused. Resting on laurels is what causes complacency.

    Forget 2010, all the best to you every moment.

  • http://lianalehua.com fittorrent

    Congrats, Chris! I love that you're bragging on who and what contributed to a fantastic year for you (worth it's own bragging).

    Raising my glass for a 2010 worth bragging about!

  • annhandley

    Congrats, Chris, on your amazing year!! You worked your tail off this year… and it's awesome, inspiring and (insert-other-over-the-top descriptors here) to watch your success. And also feel part of it. Even a tiny bit.

    Here's to 2010.. happiest of new years to you and your family.

  • vandy

    I really like this idea – talking about the good things others have done is something we should all remember to do more often.

    I've already checked out Becky's Brag Basket – thank you for that pointer, Chris. I'm going to see if I can get a monthly brag basket going for my husband's community shop – there are many people who deserve a bit of thanks for what they do. Now my only challenge is to make it understated enough to be comfortable for an English audience, and yet still bragging…..
    Any suggestions from anyone?

    Hope 2010 is good to you and yours, Chris.

  • http://www.twistimage.com/blog mitchjoel

    Hey Chris,

    If you're going to brag – brag about yourself. A best-selling novel, a growing company, too many interesting and potentially huge projects on the go, your ability to respond to everyone, the time to Blog, the time to Podcast (audio and video)… I don't know how you do it while managing any semblance of a great family life and all the while trying to make others feel great about their own accomplishments. I'm not even going to mention your Twitter abilities – which are supernatural.

    Brag on… but brag about your amazingness… cause that's what amazes us all.

    Big, big hugs and looking forward to more in-person stuff in 2010 :)

  • http://www.onlineinvestingai.com/blog/ George

    That's great. I think we all need to take at least a little time to acknowledge our wonderful accomplishments!

    Congratulations! Happy New Year!

  • mikemcmahon

    I would prefer to classify your “bragging” as being “grateful”. The power of taking the time to recognize what you are grateful in your life whether it be daily, weekly or annaully, fills up your tank. What are you grateful in your life?

  • http://www.nfl-trade.com/ nfl jerseys

    Congratulations! Great to see a Boston Guy making it. Great work. I love how your success is being shared among your family. Nice touch. You're very fortunate.

    Here's to 2010!! Cheers. And, Happy New Year!!

  • http://josephrooks.com Joseph Rooks

    Chris, what's powering the live twitter feed behind you in the first video? What's the best way you've found to do that?

    Ah, I can't wait to see your goals for 2010 tomorrow. Happy New Year!

  • http://learntoduck.com micah

    braggart. sheesh. :)

    Chris, there is one thing that I strive to emulate. I want to be the type of person that people brag about knowing. You are such a person. Im proud to be your friend.

    Oh, and I want to live by one name. Just Micah. Like Madonna. That would be cool.

    And maybe a bit of the type of person that people want to dress like. After all, I am a snappy dresser. I cant believe that GQ hasnt asked me to do a spread yet.

    But, mostly, I want to be the type of person that makes people smile just for being around. Congratulations on being that type of person. That, you should brag about.

  • christinakatz

    This is inspiring. Thanks for rounding this all up. I will watch these speeches as some of the first few things I do in 2010. Go, you, Chris. It's your game the way you made it. ;)

  • greeblemonkey

    Love this.

  • http://twitter.com/GeneDeLibero Gene De Libero

    Glad to meet you in 2009, Chris. With all of the things I've done throughout the year, the Joey Reynolds Show somehow stands out – it's etched in my mind. Unforgettable, if you know what I mean.

    Without the strong support of a good family and partner, it'd be much tougher to do the great stuff you do. I know this to be true because I'm blessed, too. 2010 holds great things for anyone who wants to work hard.

    See you on the other side of 2010! Looking forward to whatever you've got cooking.

  • http://www.erikwennerstrom.com Erik Wennerstrom

    There are two more things you should brag about, but you being you there is no way you will so I will mention them for you. First, you should be proud of all the great work that you put out there on both your blog and twitter streams. They are both worth reading and prove invaluable to a lot of us.

    Second, you should be very proud of all the people you have equipped and spurred to action. Given that you meet thousands of people a year you will probably never know the full extent of how you impact people. I can only speak for myself when I say that you were a major factor in my successful efforts this year at getting my company to realize the potential of social media and the impact of ignoring it and potential benefits of engaging. I am excited for what 2010 holds for us in this area and I can only imagine how many others feel the same after being spurred by you.

    Take a bow, Mr. Brogan, you deserve it.

  • ericblinderman

    Informative as they were enjoyable. Thanks for putting the human species back into the marketing equation.

  • sociatic

    I like this article Chris ;). Brogan the Brag hehehe. Anyways, your content always rocks and I will be looking forward to more in 2010. Happy New Year Chris.

  • paul martin

    Encore !!

  • http://www.benspark.com BenSpark

    Chris,
    You've accomplished so much this year, it is incredible. I watched both of those videos and after spending some more quality time with you recently I can see how your authenticity shines and that makes you powerful. So keep on bragging.

  • http://scottmonty.com scottmonty

    I'm with Mitch. Even though we all know it's not your style, you deserve a little back patting of your own. You know you've achieved in a very short time what few can expect to achieve in an entire career. You should be proud. Certainly those of us who have known you for a while are proud of you. May 2010 continue to be as kind to you as 2009 was (and as kind as you are to others).

    And thank you for the mention as a trust agent. It's a responsibility I take very seriously. My hope is that by leading by example, we'll see many more trust agents in the future.

  • http://twitter.com/lulugrimm Lisa Grimm

    You do amazing things and I love what you put out and how you do it. Being surrounded by the right people – as partners, collaborators, friends, mentors, champions and on down the line is what makes it possible. Thank you for all that you do, all of it. You rock cause you share the human, which is the most important. Happy 2010.

  • http://www.vitabits.fr/ glucosamine

    Hi,
    Great stuff.Your post clearly shows that your family is so inspiring.Really Bragging can produce many benefits in life, it forms part of a genuine attempt to convey the good points about yourself to a potential employer, romantic interest or others in need of being persuaded of your virtues.

  • http://twitter.com/danyork Dan York

    Great post, Chris, and it was great to finally see you again face-to-face at E2.0 after a few years. I'm with Mitch, though, in saying that YOU definitely deserve some congrats for all the great work you did in 2009! And as others have said, that's a great photo with this post. Happy New Year!

  • FrankReed

    Chris – Thank you for pointing me to Jon Swanson. I am a Christian and I greatly appreciate your willingness to point him out even if you are 'not especially Christian'.

    God bless.

  • http://www.bilingualhireco.com David Molina

    Hey Chris,
    I thoroughly enjoyed your bragging post, I think if not you then who? If not you and everyone of us creating, stirring, and urging us to believe in the value of ourselves, then who? I'm with you and Mitch and the countless others that you've done some pretty over extraordinary work in 2009, then before.

    I have benefited, like many others, from your incredible book, blog, videos, and conversations (creating by you and others here) resulting in benefits to my work. Thanks for everything you've done in 2009, and looking forward to 2010!

    Salud!
    -David

  • http://kylesteed.com/ Kyle Steed

    Chris,

    My wife asked me earlier today if I had heard a lot of people complaining about 2009. I said no. To which she responded; “I guess I just have a lot of a**hole friends then.” It made me laugh, but it's also sad to think that someone would look back on their past year and only come up with complaints. Sure we may not have accomplished everything we hoped for, but that needs to be our drive to get it done this year. If you ask me, we should never regret the past but live fully each day we're given.

    I just wrote a post similar to this one called “New Friends On The Block” where I “brag” about some of the people I met in 2009. You can check it out on my blog at: http://kylesteed.com/2009/new-friends-on-the-bl…

    I enjoy popping over to your your blog every once in a while because I know there will always be something worth while to read. Happy New Year.

  • john_r529

    Chris, It's always great to see a man brag about his family first. Props to you for taking a minute and making sure to thank your family for everything they have done and will do for you.

    I'm in the same boat you are, I don't know where i would be without my own.

  • http://chelpixie.com chelpixie

    Thanks, CB. /hug/

    Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing what we all make of it.

  • richdixon

    Chris–thanks for the reference to Jon Swanson and 300 words a day. It's a blog I'll follow with interest.

    I'm curious, for strictly my own interest, what you mean by the statement that you're not “especially” Christian. I've enjoyed getting to know you, and I'd like to know more.

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  • maroussia

    It will be great to watch Cirque Du Soleil – O, i have bought tickets from
    http://ticketfront.com/event/Cirque_Du_Soleil_O… looking forward to it.

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