On the advice of several people, I have created a LinkedIn profile and I’m trying out the platform.
On Facebook I have over 1000 friends.
On LinkedIn I’m basically a nobody. It’s like I get to create a whole new identity.
There is an about section on LinkedIn. And I had to write a bit about me.
I’ve noticed that most people write their business accolades on there.
And it’s super boring.
But a few people have written stories or missions on theirs.
I thought I would share mine here to see what you think. The goal for my profile is to connect with great business people. I want it to be not self indulgent, but still interesting.
This is what I wrote.
I love thoughtful, generous, trustworthy, ambitious humans.
If you are one of them, we should connect. You are my favorite.
5 things about me:
1) I figure things out quickly. But just like everything this can be an Achilles heal. It serves me because I figure out problems that need to be solved and see solutions quickly, But sometimes I’m too smart for my own good and I need to dial it back. We can go farther together, and I don’t need to figure everything out all on my own.
2) I feel a lot of fear, and I’ve learned to move ahead in spite of it. I used to deny my fears, run from them, hide from them, and try to out think them. When I learned that it is normal to be afraid it brought me a huge sense of relief. You can’t have courage without fear. I choose courage as often as I can.
3) I had to teach myself how to serve. This wasn’t something I knew innately. I expect my fears (from #2) had me living in scarcity and acting selfishly. On my quest to be a better human I started watching others closely and learned the nuance of service. This brings more fulfillment in my life than I ever thought possible. When I ask how I can help, my offer is genuine. Please let me help. When you are better, we are all better. And its the very best feeling to help someone be better.
4) I am always looking for a better question to ask. I remember when I first heard that wisdom doesn’t come from the answers it comes from the questions. I used to think all of the wisdom came from the answers but that’s not where the real gems are. The more clarity you have the less answers you need. Better questions bring more clarity.
5) I have given up feeling rejection. Avoiding rejection used to be a driving force for me with negative consequences. I made a lot of really bad decisions because I was trying to save myself from being rejected. I was a people pleaser because of it, I stayed in unhealthy relationships, and I accepted bad behavior from others. Giving up rejection allowed me to strengthen my grit, be more persistent, stop defending myself, and stop taking things personally. It was empowering.
Bonus for making it this far:
6) I am an observer and I love to dig into the underlying or hidden framework that is driving a relationship or situation. Once you see the framework you can see the driving force that is causing things to work, or to fall apart. Framework is a no-judgement zone and it honors how we got “here” without blame, shame, or personal attacks.
I am here to do my part to make the world a better place. The way I do that is constantly evolving.
Care to join me?
I struggled with how to wrap it up. I felt like I needed a call to action, but I’m not sure it matches the rest.
Maybe bonus #7 should just admit I’m forever a work in progress. But I’m not sure that’s what I want to choose as my new identity.