One of the benefits of being a relatively quiet person means
I get to spend alot of time just sitting back watching how different people
behave. This often includes people changing their behaviour based on the situation they're in or the people
they're with. For me, when I see people changing their whole
personality and persona simply based on the people they're with, I just think,
why? Surely it's easier in the long run simply to be natural and to be the
person you are at your core.
Professionally
Agreed, in
certain situations like in a working environment it wouldn't be appropriate to
go around swearing and that sort of thing. But saying that, this doesn't mean
you have to change your whole personality or the nature of who you are as a
person. If anything, I think it would actually be more beneficial in the long
run to simply be yourself. This is down to the respect being honest in this way
will bring. It will also help employers and colleagues ensure they know what
they're getting into when they employ and work with you. This not having to
second guess your actions or motives will help you become more effective in the
work you carry out and will increase your value to the firm as a result.
Take my life
at uni for example. I never once changed my behaviour or who I was as a person
regardless of what situation I was in or people I was with. This was regardless
of whether I was with friends or in the company of a Lord or two. I never once
changed who I was as a person in any of these situations. Well, except showing
off a more formal look in my tie and waistcoat anyway. But saying that, I spend
half my time in a suit anyway so anyone that knows me wouldn't consider that
much of a difference anyway. I don't know, maybe the nature and style of my
personality simply allows me to be myself in these situations without having to
change anything. But in my opinion, as long as you are respectful and tolerant
of others, then you shouldn't really have any problems.
Enemies
Being
yourself can have its disadvantages though when someone takes a disliking towards
you. But there will always be people who don't like you whether you act
naturally or not. Therefore you might as well be disliked for who you are
rather than someone you're pretending to be. In the words of Churchill;
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something,
sometime in your life."
To put it
simply, there will always be people who don't like you so don't waste your life
trying to please everyone. In the end, that will just make you miserable.
Taking that one step further and in the words of Churchill, if you have
enemies, that must mean you've stood up for something at least once in your
life and that can only be a good thing.
Conclusion
To conclude,
don't pretend to be someone you’re not as there will always be people who
don't like you so they might as well not like you for being you. Plus, by being
yourself, you will attract people who are similar and have similar interests to
you. Not only that, but I find it too tiring and time consuming trying to be
liked by everyone and frankly it's not worth the hassle. Professionally
speaking, yes you may do things you don't like or be willing to tolerate the
odd colleague you don't get on with. However, that doesn't mean you have to
change the fundamentals of who you are as a person.
Secondly,
don't be afraid to have an enemy or two. Not only is it fun to annoy them every
now and then, but having an enemy and being able to stand up to that enemy does
have its advantages. Not only will it boost your confidence, but it will make
your life mean something by you standing up for something you believe in. So as
long as it doesn't get too out of hand, don't shy away from having an enemy or two, they can have their
value and we'll all be better for it.
Thanks for reading,
Jason Cates
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