This post is part 3 of a 5 part series on my “Hedgehog Concept.” Previously I explored the positive attributes that most people claimed I demonstrated regularly. I found three main traits that describe me and now I attempt to define my Hedgehog Concept.

What can I be the best in the world at? As I analyze the category with the most responses (helpful) I quickly realize that, yes, I do my best to help everyone. Whether it be in class helping friends get the right answers or at work helping a co-worker print documents. It seems I’m best at taking complex things like computers, technology, and even accounting and making them simpler and easier for others to understand. I believe this is what I meant when I described being “clever.” I have an ability to understand something to the point that I can teach it to others.

I’ve tutored friends in accounting, I’ve helped friends write essays (and even a press release), I’ve taught my girlfriend how to build a website, I’ve even taught my database professor a thing or two! I’m the best at helping others… and I enjoy doing it!

What I am deeply passionate about? I’m passionate about educating and bettering myself. I constantly try to improve my skills, gain new ones, and share my results with everyone I know. At work I constantly share new technical skills, programs or ideas. Online I share all kinds of advice and knowledge with anyone who cares to read about it. In fact, thousands of people visit and read my website every month. Put simply, I’m not necessarily writing for my own enjoyment.

But, it’s only through my own self-motivation and determination that I can become acquainted with this knowledge. I have the passion and initiative to go out and read new books, open new magazines and try new things. The best part about educating and helping others is not just the satisfaction that I was useful; it’s the fact that I’m educating myself in the process.

What drives my economic engine? Ever since I was in elementary school I’ve been working with computers. I’ve become the neighborhood’s technical support guru. In fact, I met one of my neighbors (on my way home from school) when he randomly asked if I knew anything about computers. Lucky for him, I knew a lot about computers. Lucky for me, he wanted to pay me a lot for my time.

In addition, one of our family friends is an author. She approached my Mom back in middle school and asked her if she though I’d be willing to help make a website for her. Six years later I’m still maintaining her website. When I think about it, I’ve been helping her for nearly a third of my life! Simultaneously, I’ve been receiving a check once or twice a year. She’s certainly not the only person who has hired me to help build a presence on the internet.

[tags]hedgehog, collins, helpful, management[/tags]