Keeping Your Perspective On Social Media – What You See Isn’t Always True

By Brian Maynor 

 

What started as a way of keeping in touch with family and friends, quickly turned to virtual networking and has now turned into anxiety inducing constant comparisons of personal and professional accomplishments, particularly with young professionals.

Being in constant comparison with peers and competitors may drive motivation, but for most it just causes unnecessary stress and unrealistic expectations. Here are a few of the most common stress inducing uses of social media and how to counteract them:

1.    Careers take time to build. While this is common knowledge for older employees, it is frequently lost on young ones. Having always lived in an ‘instant world’ with instant communication, instant gratification, and instant fame, it’s no surprise the expectation is set for instant success. Unfortunately that is just not reality.

What is even more ironic is that the younger generations actually have more time to build a successful career than their predecessors. One of the benefits of living longer is that we can expand every phase of our lives, including our professionals ones. You no longer have to peak in your 30s or 40s. As we talked about last week, some people are now hitting their highest levels after age 50. While this is great news, it actually requires more planning and balance of professional and life goals than the traditional tracks, but currently there is very little help and guidance being provided.

2.    Expect misrepresentations. In the past people padded their resumes to make their careers appear more meaningful and established, today it’s all about showing your success and accomplishments on social media. Even if they are stretched and ‘colored’.

This need to constantly share a highlight reel of success while downplaying or completely eliminating setbacks and challenges is a breeding ground for critical and ruthless comparisons. Even though you know it’s an exaggeration, you can’t help but compare your success and status to others. Is there no surprise that a new study proves the more time you spend on Facebook the worse you feel?

Social media encourages us to compare ourselves to others, when we should really be focusing only on is our individuality. We all have skills, talents and hobbies that are unique and they are where more time should be spent. Not only is it grounding, this practice cultivates values it provides guidance and direction on what makes us happy.

3.    Keep it all in perspective. Social media is still media, and it’s always looking for the newest, youngest, or most successful young achiever to promote. While overnight success stories are nothing new, they are still the exception. What’s proliferated is the ability to broadcast that success to more people quicker. This practice has created the misconception that if you’re uber-successful early on in your career you never will be since you’re obviously not doing enough.

What is often left out of these success profiles are the necessary elements of years of unrewarding preparation, luck and connections.

Social media has its positive applications, but it also has a darker side that is often experienced, but never really talked about. Constant contact also means constant comparisons, and if you’re not able to keep them in check can lead to constant dissatisfaction and disappointment.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.