Every year people win awards. Are you one of them? You probably should be. If you are in the UK, submit something you’ve done to the Construction Computer Awards: The Hammers X. Big, small, somewhere in between: do it. Don’t just let the glory go to other people. Throw yourself out there. You have until September 4th, 2015 to submit. If you’re not in the UK, are nervous about winning, or afraid of losing, go promote someone else who you think is doing fantastic work. Helping your friends and colleagues get the recognition they deserve is a pretty good feeling too. Don’t assume someone else will do it for you. If you think your work, ARCHICAD 19, GRAPHISOFT UK, or something/someone else is worthy, don’t rely on others to nominate them. Take five minutes and support those you believe in (including yourself).

What are the Construction Computing Awards?

“Now in their 10th year, the Construction Computing Awards showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes.

To make your nomination and to learn more about the industry’s leading awards and networking event please visit www.constructioncomputingawards.co.uk“

I’ve written about the Construction Computing Awards in some capacity since 2011-typically a reminder to vote and a bit congratulating the winners, which always include GRAPHISOFT, ARCHICAD, and firms that use ARCHICAD.

Now you might look at all this and think, that’s lame. These aren’t real awards. This is just something people created out of nothing. Why do I want to be known as someone at the cutting edge of technology and self-promotion? I’d rather win design awards and get asked to be a guest critic at the GSD. There are so many responses to that, but let’s go with a few:

1. Winning awards is good marketing: prospects see ‘award winner’ more than ‘for what’.
2. Submitting for awards is good practice: each submission you do gets easier.
3. All awards and honors are inherently meaningless: we give them value when we respect them.
4. I’m afraid is only an acceptable answer if you admit you are afraid: fear is fine, self denial is not.
5. Chasing glory helps you achieve: if you are looking for recognition, fight for it. No one wakes up one day and magically becomes great.

Make sure to follow Shoegnome on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re not a social media person, RSS feed is also a great way to never miss anything either. If you read all my posts, you’ll learn more about non-traditional routes to awesomeness in the world of architecture. Doesn’t that sound great?