Who Do You Think You Are?

It’s funny but whatever you do, there will always be people who misunderstand you. The more public you make yourself the more you will be misunderstood.

In many ways it is our own fault, in different scenarios we wear masks to shield part of ourselves so we feel less vulnerable. Our “work mask”, the persona we have when with our friends, and another when with family. I often joke that my life online has been an open book, but even then I know there are personal and private things I haven’t shared in blogs and articles.

Is it surprising then that people do not get an accurate view of who we are?

Reading Scott Adams Dilbert blog I often feel for him how people take his words out of context no matter how hard he tries to make his position (or lack of) clear. I have a friend who has been shunned by people because he associated with people they consider dirty spammers. As we all know, through the safety and anonymity of the internet people can attack and misrepresent who or whatever they like with abandon.

The answer seems first to keep doing what you do.

Express yourself as best as you can, and know that you can do no more. Know that you know those people who criticize you as little as they know you, judging what you perceive to be their motives is as faulty as their perception of yours.

Another thing you can do is surround yourself with positive and supportive people. I feel blessed with the friends I have made but you do not have to know those positive people personally, just make sure you read positive blogs.  People like Scott Adams who make you laugh, or the monk, the miracle, Liz, and Slade who blog in uplifting and positive ways.

The best way though is to get to know your readers and really talk to them. Answer your emails and comments and get to know the people who want to know you. Think of your audience as people rather than a “count”. Give people a chance to really know you and for you to get to know them.