updated my LinkedIn today
LinkedIn challenges me...
On one hand I like the idea of having easy access to people to connect with for jobs/sales/work/projects.
On the other, the feed makes me compare myself to others and makes me feel small. It makes me feel like what I do doesn't matter, isn't really making any impact. I know that's not true but it does make me feel that way.
That feeling I think started in University with facebook. Facebook was the go to for messeging with others about group projects in classes, organizing socials/functions, parties, finding second hand textbooks, furniture, places to rent, etc.
It was the hub of my university social life but really if I think about it also my academic life.
I never really trusted posting on it publically but I did experiment.
I'm not really sure how to explain my relationship to the platform except as complex. Extreme highs, lows, and lots in the middle.
So when university ended and work began LinkedIn became kind of the new Facebook for me. I started with LinkedIn in University. There was a transition period.
Both platforms I think make me neurotic. They make me obsess over my self image. LinkedIn reminds me of when I was young and I had to go to a function with my parents and dress formal or semi-formal.
Dress was important, showered, shaved, looking clean and proper. I would catch myself in the mirror and my hair would be out of place. I would try desperatly to comb it down or to the side or in a way that just made me feel better about it. Sometimes these combing sessions would get obsessive and I would freak out think that everyone at the function would laugh and stare at me.
Eventually what I found though is that no one cares what you look like really. If you treat them with kindness and respect and make them feel liked, seen, and heard, you're hair could be all messed up on no one would care. They are too busy thinking about their imperceptibly messed up hair. Or makeup, or shirt, or pants or shoes, or whatever.
No one really. cares. They are typically just happy to be out and socializing. If you make them feel comfortable by showing that you are uncomfortable everyone relaxes and focuses on the conversations and ideas bring to the table. Not the surface looks.
It's a great thing to remember if you get in your head. I still find myself doing that when I'm going to do something social. Obsessing over my hair, or a zit, ot a... whatever. I take a deep breath and I say to myself "no one cares what you look like, people care how you treat them so treat them well. That's all that matters."
It helps free me from getting stuck in the obsessing.
I hope this helps you.
Here is my LinkedIn. Do with it what you will.