Nowadays there seem to be “how-to” guides for every single thing we can imagine. The internet provides us with infinite lists of life hacks and “10 easy ways to be more successful” to help us navigate our online and offline lives. Yet, ironically, the more we follow these lists, the more we seem to blend in with the rest of the world (Buzzfeed is everyone’s best friend and adviser, Let’s admit it). But what can we do to avoid becoming “basic” and ultimately forgettable in the eyes of the harsh world?
I have found that the answer is as cliche as I feared: being ourselves is what makes us interesting. Whether it is because we are exceptionally friendly, wonderfully quiet, or simply weird in our own little way, being our own flavor of whatever-it-is-we-are is ultimately drives other people to notice us… even in professional scenarios!
Contrary to common belief, being professional does not necessarily mean being bland or 100% normal. Sure, being able to check most boxes in generalized applications is important but, the quirky little aspects of our personality, when presented in the right way, are the best way to let people have a glimpse into our mind and the way in which we see the world. These rough edges are what best represents the unique traits we have to offer to a job or professional opportunity.
The key is knowing how to polish this traits and showcase them in the optimum time and place. For example, a LinkedIn profile might not be the best place to brag about your exceptional meme collection; however, it does represent your social-media trendiness and expertise, which is a valuable trait to most communication jobs nowadays. Simply by noting the positive implications of your quirky interests in a professional context can help make a bold statement that separates you from the hundreds of other profiles out there.
This is why I am a firm believer in the power of the art forms that reside within ourselves. Even the weirdest things about our personalities can be advantageous in specific scenarios and, therefore, it is in our best interest to cultivate them. Giving ourselves the chance to explore and make the best out of the things we enjoy can open a whole new world of opportunities that are so personal and unique that the internet cannot replicate them.
These are the things that makes us, us. Let’s celebrate them!