Don't sell yourself short.

Be, don't just pretend to be. Do, don't just pretend you did.

In this social media world, it is tempting to craft a narrative and present a picture of what you want people to think is true. It's not hard to do and some people are really savvy at it. Some are even paid big bucks to do it for you. We too often fail to reflect what is, but instead offer a filtered mirror or photo effects of what we want people to see. It's dishonest and disingenuous but it is not uncommon.

Many people have slipped down the slippery slope of exaggerated posts or fabricated narratives perhaps even unwittingly. If this is you, it's time to regain your footing. Here's how you can start:

✔ Revisit those values. Values of integrity, honesty, transparency or some variant thereof ought to be a non-negotiable on your list of core values. If they aren't, ask yourself why not.

✔ Capture the picture or write the narrative you want to be true. Use that to push you forward to become that which you envision to be. No need to make up a false narrative if you can become all the things you imagine.

✔ Build some discipline into your postings. Hold yourself to a standard of only posting that which is true, helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. If you need an accountability partner to read before you post, do it.

Don't sell yourself short. Use your time and energy to become and do what you envision, then your posts will inspire your friends and followers in ways you can only imagine.

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP

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