reputation & attention

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Law 5

So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life

Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once you slip, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes in their own reputations. Then stand aside and let public opinion hang them.

Oh your reputation. This really is everything. Unfortunately in order to have a spotless reputation you have to have a pretty spotless life and I don't think that's entirely possible. Having a reputation that can intimidate is definitely important for power and being ruthless and sticking to your beliefs is a big part of it. You can't make exceptions or bend for people just because. As for the enemies, I guess this would be the best way to destroy them. Since reputation is everything as soon as holes are poked in theirs people will go for the throat so to speak. But knowing this, you're also very vulnerable... You have to guard it very closely to make sure no one pokes holes in yours. I think people may say they don't care what people say about them but in the end i believe it really matters to them, after all... They're messing with their reputation.

Law 6

Court Attention at all Cost

Everything is judged by its appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd, then, or buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous, at all cost. Make yourself a magnet of attention by appearing larger, more colorful, more mysterious, than the bland and timid masses.

So being shy is out. If you are you better find a way to turn it off or learn how to deal with it. With how many people there are in the world, what makes you so special? It doesn't matter what career you choose you always have to find a way to stand out. It's like an artist coming out of art school, if he doesn't develop his own style and just keeps repeating what he learned in school he won't do anything with his art, no matter how good he is.