First, how many Facebook friends do you have?
I have 826.
Second, how many people follow you on Twitter?
I have 2,672 followers.
Now think about how many of them really know you and how many you actually know. You don’t have to count them, but you can if you’d like.
My mom once told me that you can count your true friends on one hand and have leftover fingers. I’m pretty certain this is true. However, I consider many people in my online network to be my tribe. Some of them I converse with more regularly than the friends I count on my hand.
Even though I talk to my tribe several times a day, I’m not sure they really know me. They know my online persona, and they may even think they really know me. As a friend (see, there I go) Amber Naslund wrote:
“Social media can create really superficial vantage points. We can see a few tweets or a blog post or a Facebook status from someone and think we’ve got them all figured out. So much nuance can be lost in the midst of snippets of electronic and fleeting communication.”
Amber encouraged her readers to write a post similar to hers about what we wish people knew about us. I’m sure I’m over-estimating the power of these posts, but I think they can help build relationships and unmask the people behind the accounts. It actually could be social media instead of just sharing media media.
After you read my post, I hope you’ll write your own list of things you wish people knew about you. If you don’t want to write a full post, feel free to post them in the comments section here.
In No Particular Order:
Pull that string and I’ll unravel.
I’m not as strong or as together as I seem. People tell me I seem to have it all together, that I can do anything and everything, and I have a life they admire. While this is amazingly flattering, my outward façade (no one can do everything) is the reason people think they can say anything to me. I seem like a confident person who can just “blow off” brash comments. Those who know me best know I am actually really sensitive and take people’s comments personally.
Don’t open that door!
I’m a closet slob. I don’t just mean in the closet (although those are messy), I mean behind all closed surfaces. My home looks nice and tidy most of the time, but you should prepare for a waterfall of crap if you open a cabinet. I wish I was neater, I’m just not. And, believe it or not, my crazy system makes sense to me.
Now what was I doing?
I’m afraid I’m losing my mind. Ok, that’s kind of dramatic. I’m more concerned that I’m getting old. My memory is terrible. I forget what I’m saying in the middle of sentences and can’t remember any task that I don’t write down. This may be more about being overextended, but it scares the heck out of me.
The no “chit chat” zone.
I’m incapable of small talk. I really admire those people who can chat with anyone. I cannot. You can hear the crickets. If I don’t have something to say to you, I cannot fake it.
Shut up and listen!
I wish I spoke less. This seems ironic after reading my last statement. However, I talk A LOT. The problem is that I go from “Hello” to some kind of big issue. I tend to give my opinions where they probably aren’t warranted and speak before I think. I would much rather be one of those people who thinks about what they are going to say and drafts it in their mind before they say it. It seems like those are the people who really say important things, instead of just blathering on as I do.
I work every day at being a better leader.
Genuine praise and overall positive feedback does not come easily to me. My initial response is usually one of anger or disbelief. I loathe incompetence. I work every day to try to be a better leader to those around me. Being a leader really is a non-stop process.
Staples is my store of choice.
I have an office supply addiction. I have always loved pens and paper. I could spend hours just looking at different types of pens, stationary and journals. One of my favorite days at work is the day I get to pick out new sticky notes. I’ve always been like this. I think it’s because I’ve always loved writing and those are the tools of the trade. It’s just expanded to all things office.
Stupid is as stupid does?
I don’t think I’m smart. Despite being a Ph.D. candidate and a college professor, I’ve always doubted my own intelligence. People laugh at me when I tell them this. I guess it’s true that the more you know, the more you realize what you don’t know.
Lucky me!
I have an amazing husband. My husband is one of my best qualities. He is supportive of all of my endeavors, loves me in spite of my faults and is a great father. Jeff does most of the cooking and running our kids around town. He does all of the yardwork. He works at a demanding job and still has time to go on tour on RockBand for Wii. He’s amazing.
Just relax!
I have no work/life balance. I joke that, if I were Catholic, I would have enough guilt built up to get me into heaven. I’m always doing too much work. I feel guilty when I’m not productive. I have a difficult time relaxing. I don’t think I’ve always been like this. I need to get back to a calmer, more serene me. You can read more about my “go” attitude on my personal blog in the post Slow and Steady Means You’re Late.
Nerdy girl.
Reading is my guilty pleasure. I love to read. I remember lying on my bed for hours as a kid, just reading a book. This hasn’t changed over the years. I prefer “real” books to eBooks. There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting lost in a great story.
What do you wish more people knew about YOU?
Amber Naslund says
Hi Kenna (do you have any idea how long it took me to find your name??) –
So very glad that you wrote this. It’s honest, vulnerable, and humble and I could really identify with a number of the things you put in there. I’m especially impressed with your self awareness around leadership; leading people isn’t easy and most think they’re just natural born leaders. It’s refreshing to hear from someone else still trying to figure it out.
Thanks again for participating, and for letting us see a bigger piece of you online.
Best,
Amber
Prof KRG says
Amber,
I am SO glad that you wrote this about not being able to find my name. I never considered that. It’s kind of silly what we don’t notice about our own work. I appreciate your insight and the wonderful blog post and idea!
Kenna
Christa says
I loved this Kenna! I think we all wish to be really known by the people in our lives and to be accepted. I loved your list and actually feel I know you a little bit better (if that was possible). BTW I could shop for personalized stationary all day long. 🙂
lizzlemynizzle says
Awesome post! Many of these things are true of myself, as well, and I just never realized. Thanks for the insight!