As some of you know, outside of my social media management work with a very large brokerage general agency in the financial services sector, I’m also the founder of the social media non-profit agency, Social Samaritans. Social Samaritans, Inc.is simply a group of social media folks across different communities nationwide who work with the un- and underemployed in teaching social networking skills so everyone is leveraged when looking for their next job.
I recently came upon an article written by Jayson Demers of Inc. magazine and repurposed by The Muse about tricking people into thinking you’re more confident than you really are . I actually had to sit on this for a few days and I find I’m still shaking my head. The daily content shared by The Muse is quite good so this one perplexed me for so long that I’m coming to my followers to see what you think.
The premise of the information is to help those who are not outwardly confident. It would be remiss of me to say this is an article for introverts because I know quite a few of those who have the confidence for certain situations when they are warranted. It’s aimed at those who struggle with confidence, “… in unfamiliar situations or with unfamiliar people.”. The overall feel of this content, to tell someone to “Fake it ’til you make it” left me feeling dirty. Yuck!
We are surrounded by messages all the time to be yourself. How about Oscar Wilde reminding you to: Be yourself, everyone else is taken. I don’t see anywhere in that message to be kind of like everyone else or to fake it ’til you make it, right?
Jim Morrison, the American songwriter, said to have total freedom in friendship, you must be yourself. I don’t see any messages here about staying still, keeping your hands visible and making eye contact like the article says. That sounds more like instructions for someone who is about to be arrested than someone applying for a job!
Paulo Coelho, one of my favorite authors, shared the secret to success was to never lie to yourself. Guess what? Pretending to be someone that you are not is lying to yourself.
We all have a tribe we subscribe to; a community where we belong. If you’re trying to appear to be one way and in reality you are not, there is going to come a time where someone will flush out your inner pheasant and discover the real you. So why not make that where you begin instead?
I was recently at a content marketing conference in Cleveland, Ohio where the overarching message was about authenticity and courage. I think that’s what’s really important here. If you own who you are and have the courage to show that side of you to others, guess what? You’re going to be happiest in your own element and the person you are sharing the real you with will appreciate that side far more.
We each have a talent, a treasure, that is uniquely ours. Please don’t fake it ’til you make it. I still believe the everyday content at The Muse is quite good and encourage that you sign up for their newsletter , but whether it’s this article or any others telling you to be someone that you are not question if that is what you are really seeking. Be courageous and choose to be who you really are.
Be bigger, better and more BIONIC today!