I'm often accused of being a geek - getting excited about finding a new function in excel or finding a new way to draw things in visio probably helps - but should "geek" still be seen as a derogatory term?
Could any of us truly function to the best of our ability in today's digital age without at least a basic understanding of the miriad of IT applications we use? And doesn't having mastery of those applications just make life easier, quicker and more rewarding? How often have you not done something because it's too hard or you just don't know how?
But knowing the applications themselves just isn't enough. It's the same as knowing all the marketing principles - it doesn't work or come to life without some insight, imagination and pure creative thinking. It's how you use the tools that counts - and it's often using a tool or technique in a completely new way that will get you results.
So, if you're the kind of person who only has a hammer in your toolbox, then your answer will probably be to hit everything. Add a few more tools and you open up your options. But don't be afraid to try hitting things with a spanner! And if learning new tools brands you as a geek, then take solace in the evolution of the species, and the fact that "blessed are the geeks, for the geeks shall inherit the earth!"
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