When sharing our work, reframe it as idea promotion instead of self-promotion. Focus on sharing in the excitement of discovery without attempts to claim priority.
Article: The Early History Of Smalltalk
Many people hesitate to share their work because they're uncomfortable with self-promotion. I used to struggle with this, too. However, we can think about sharing through a different perspective as promoting ideas rather than promoting ourselves.
The main difference between idea promotion and self-promotion is intention. Idea promotion is about sharing your work to benefit others, while self-promotion is about showcasing yourself for personal recognition.
In Adam Grant's words, self-promotion is saying, "Look at me, I'm special!", posting about awards, sharing lots of selfies, and putting yourself in the spotlight. In contrast, idea promotion is saying, "I created something I'm proud of, and I hope it brings you value or joy."
By not sharing your work, you might be keeping something valuable from people who could benefit from it.
As Alan Kay, in The Early History Of Smalltalk, referenced from Goethe, we should "share in the excitement of discovery without vain attempts to claim priority.