identity

How many times a day does someone ask, "How are you?"  A lot. Don't you think it would be much more interesting to ask "Who are you?"

When we consider who we are and who others are we have to take many perspectives into account.  Personally, I know that I have a Family Identity, a Classroom Identity, a Friends Identity, and most importantly a Never-Leave-Bed-Netflix-Identity.  We act differently around different groups of people whether we like it or not.  It's natural because we maintain different types of relationships with different types of people.  It's our way of personalizing relationships.

In my opinion, the older we become, the more these identities merge together and overlap.  Now I know that I would not wear my pjs to an interview and treat my employer like I'm watching Law and Order...there have to be some boundaries.  What I mean is that the way we act in every situation or setting affects our other identities and the way people perceive us, and define us.  

Unfortunately, what people think of us matters.  I know we have all heard countless times that               "it's the inside that matters most."  In reality, you have to put your best foot forward when attending an interview, a meeting, or a conference.  Whether or not I'm a good person and a hard worker, I guarantee that I will not get the job if I bring my Never-Leave-Bed-Netflix-Identity to an interview.

Last summer, I deleted all forms of social media.  I was so sick of hearing everyone complain about their lives, or worse, brag about their trips to the gym, kitchen, and bathroom.  So I got rid of all the distractions, and I have never been happier.  One thing I did not consider, was reinvention.

So I today I took the first step in creating a more professional identity that I can use to network, teach, and present myself in a positive way to future employers and the public.  I began with Twitter.

I gave a lot of thought into the photo and username I chose to use, and the people I followed.  If I want others to perceive me in a positive, professional light, then every social account and domain under my name should reflect that.  I quickly found an article here which directed me towards other educational professionals to follow on Twitter.

I encourage everyone to use social media as a way to connect.  We need to use our resources to further our learning, challenge us, and make connections with other people and the world around us.  We are living in a global age and have access to infinite amounts of information and ways to communicate.  I got sick of social media because too many people around me were abusing those resources. 

 Let's find a way to promote ourselves in a way that makes us feel good about each other and really think about the words, and pictures that we put out for the world to see.

Happy tweeting :)