Being the best you can and who are really are

Lindsay Browning posted “If you could be someone else, who would you be?”. I recommend you all read it, it’s a great post. I decided I would post a similar post, but instead about “being the best you can and who are really are – wherever you are, whatever the circumstances” and written it from my viewpoint, about what that means to me.

I’ve helped others over the years when nobody cared, I try to empower, even when I’ve a lot to manage myself. I’m no saint, others do far more than me, but staying true to my values regardless of circumstances or communication medium is important. It’s still something I’m working on, learning to master. Making sure others don’t take advantage of your nature is key as your help isn’t always the appropriate route for support.

When communicating online I often still see people using caps lock, exclamation or question marks in excess and they fail to notice they are letting themselves down. Forgetting manners in emails, forums or wherever you are isn’t a sign of superiority or status. Politeness isn’t a sign of weakness. Raising a voice doesn’t convince me of a view or make me submit to an agenda I don’t agree with. Voicing opinion is important, dialogue greater and quiet action without seeking praise more so. I’d rather someone act as they would offline, rather than what the peserve is required. Though if someone is an arse, they are an arse and I will quickly break communication or ignore.

There shouldn’t be confusion between offline and online worlds, and how you treat others. Both are real and online is an extension of communication. Struggling with different personas is a waste of being the best you are, it eats away at your potential. In business, social networks, forums etc not allowing your true personality and nature to ooze out is a waste and not a weakness. When I offer to help whatever the communication medium, it’s not a just a gesture, but a commitment not taken in haste. I’m purely trying to be the best I can, whatever the technology.

In work I’ve stood up for what I believe in, at risk to my own safety to protect others and never complained. I’ve worked twelve days in a row back to back, double shifts, not leaving a site at night to support others, because I believed the people in my care at the time deserved that level of support. Please don’t put your safety at risk, that was my own risk I took in a dysfunctional organization, I don’t recommend or advise you do the same. I don’t wish to sound vain with those examples given, just trying to put a view into context. The point being action speaks louder than words and if few people or nobody notices, does it matter? You know what you achieved.

Sometimes I communicate too much, possible even by writing this article. Though sometimes I don’t care what others think, because it’s who I am.

“being the best you can and who are really are – wherever you are, whatever the circumstances”.