Perception...Thank You Social Media!
They say “perception is reality”. Whose reality? Are we that naive?
While in college, my philosophy professor showed as a panel that appeared to be bluish, grayish, greenish. He asked the class what color we saw, as you guessed it, the answers were different. Some said gray, some green and some blue. Then he asked how we knew the color was what we thought it was. How do you answer that question? We were thought colors at a young age and we just know our colors. Then, why were there different answers? We all should’ve seen the same color, right?
Well, I was just scrolling through my Facebook Newsfeed and someone I know posted yet again another video from a local event. I’ve known this person for over twenty years and I know said person is far from what I see on Social Media. Those who don’t know this person would think otherwise based on all the touchy, feely posts. However, a day will come when one of these people would see the real person behind all the wonderful posts. While social media can be helpful to our businesses if we are portraying a different person than who we really are, those who know us will quickly catch up and we would lose their trust completely. This is not what I want, how about you?
There are so many examples of this. Webinars, blog posts, vlogs, videos. I attend some webinars and the speakers are so well prepared, offer great information, and come across as very helpful and willing to share. Getting through an hour webinar with a prepared speech is not very difficult. What may be difficult is to walk the talk and help those who are in need behind closed doors. Don’t let the whole world know what you have done and expect to be applauded.
Whether it’s business insights or helping the needy, why do we need to advertise? Could it be because we want Social Media platforms to reach others with our fluffy words and gain “friends”. If you are a charitable person, do it anonymously without any expectations. That’s real charity!
Luckily, many of us approach SM with wide-open eyes and know when something isn’t right. If we do the right thing, others will notice and do the advertising for us, believe me, they will. While there are so many awesome ActiveRain members who will freely share their knowledge and help others, I would like to give you all an example of one person outside of ActiveRain who truly walks the talk. The founder of LabCoat Agents Tristan Ahumada. I met him in person several years ago in Atlanta, I believe it was their first conference. I was so impressed with him. He made a point of going around and talking to almost everyone who was willing to engage in a conversation. I love the fact he actually recognizes each comment to his posts. His posts are uplifting and encouraging. He has personally messaged me as well as emails with no expectations. I knew he would go far the day I met him and he has. A true leader!
What prompted this post was a post I read by Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker on a workaround. She took the time to share with us what she discovered. She didn’t have to do that, did she?
We see so many posts coming from those who are not genuine, it is a breath of fresh air to read posts by those who truly care. Thank You to all my ActiveRain friends who freely share, I appreciate you. You make a difference in our world.
The problem I see with all media is the people give you a perception but no reality.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, I don't even watch the news anymore nor do I read anything that falls under "news". When something big happens, someone will inform me(I hope).
Beth,
I agree with you. I have seen what I thought were nice people lash out like a hungry viper, because their ego got in the way. Even though they are basically nice. That just lowers my trust in them, but I would not condemn them, and I would be hesitant to refer them, even though they may be very competent and well thought of in the industry.
Your example of Anna sharing workarounds is wonderful, and there are many others who are great contributors. A
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hello Ron and Alexandra Seigel, you two are great examples of those who share their knowledge with others because they care. I agree with you, when I see these types of behaviors on SM, I just stay quiet and make a mental note.
Beth Atalay - This is a great blog post! I enjoyed reading it, very much. Social Media has great people, stories, ideas, and information. However, I have also detected visual illusions in SM that I find interesting. In reference to perceptions, it reminds me of the story about a dress that went viral about five - seven years ago on the Internet about what color is this dress? Some people thought it was gold and white and others swore it was blue and black. To me, they are distinctly different; yet it was amazing how many people saw different colors than I saw! Whose right? Whose wrong? I guess that is the proverbial question.
The friend you met named Tristan Ahumada sounds very interesting! Whether it's charisma, his personality, or just him and his authentic self makes me think, he's memorable and admired by many, not because of what he does or how he looks, but how he connects with everyone in the room. Friends like that are rare indeed.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP, I remember that dress post on FB.
Tristan is a truly caring person and that is based on my personal experience. I don't know what happens or how we're drawn to some individuals more than others but it just happens. You are one of those people, I never met you in person but I know what a beautiful person you are inside and out. I cherish our friendship.
Beth Atalay - I feel the same way about you. Although we never met in person, I believe you are genuine in your words and what you do. It is apparent to me that you have acquired a lot of life experiences that others have not. I cherish the friendship we have developed as a result of AR very much.
Why are we drawn to some people more than others is a great question! May you be happy and my wish for you is to be able to travel to all the places you need to go soon.
Beth when someone is being fake, it eventually who they really are becomes evident, and once it does they lose far more than they gained.
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Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
Hello Beth Atalay thank you for sharing your valuable opinion. I learn a lot from members of ActiveRain community.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi John Pusa, I do too!
Hi Beth- I too prefer someone who is genuine, even if they are genuinely a pain. At least you know what you're getting. That's the problem with social media...it's like a mask that gives people what they think is a certain amount of anonymity. I cannot watch the news anymore because I feel that there is an agenda in what they say rather than the truth.
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Hannah Williams
Philadelphia, PA
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Kathy Streib, you are so right, I too appreciate honesty regardless of one's opinion. Just be yourself, it's more attractive.
I love your thoughts and perspective in your blog post however some of the comments really add to your post 🎅
Happy Tuesday evening Beth Atalay
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Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
I agree Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, many great comments. Have an awesome day!
Hi Beth... great post. And one thing that came to mind while I was reading it, is that with some people your perception of them is spot-on. There is great value to social media in certain respects, but it is also a place for people to "hide" who and what they are.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
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Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Good morning Nina Hollander, it is very easy to hide behind a screen and play games but that can't last forever.
That is why I always try to be myself and never something that I am not in order to get people to like me. I am not afraid to disagree with an opinion.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
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Patricia Feager, MBA, ...
Flower Mound, TX
Hi Brian England, indeed, the best thing to do is be ourselves.
Hi Beth Atalay - that is from the heart and I know that from speaking with you. There are many real true givers that I would love to call out. Active rain does have many but I can name locals as well. The people sharing on Tuesdays have been great as well. Those putting on the act will be discovered.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Grant Schneider, the actors will eventually come out.
Good morning Beth. For me SM is Active Rain. As for other sources, only used as birthday reminders. Enjoy your day!
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Wayne Martin, many are making an effort to stay away from SM.
Hi Beth Atalay - I love your image of the man holding his nose with the fish. This captures the essence of some (as you have described) on social media. Being genuine is so key to living the right life.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Sheri Sperry - MCNE®, playing a different role must be exhausting, not the way I would like to live my life.
Hi Beth Atalay I am so glad Kathy featured you in her Sunday post. This is so true. I know many who are as they present themselves and others.....different story. I do feel that many ActiveRainers I've met, which is in the hundreds, truly are who they present they are day in and day out. I know that to be true for you and we haven't met in person....yet! Thank you for appreciating my work around. I heard how so many were just plain frustrated with the glitches and I just happened to figure something out. Why not share? What I miss now is being able to get into groups. Especially BanananTude! Merry Christmas Beth!!
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker, I hope to meet you in person. I've met a few ActiveRainers, they were no different than what we see on this platform. That says a lot about this great family we have.
Hi Beth Atalay I enjoy lab coat agents also. I am so glad Kathy Streib Featured this post as I missed it . I also loved her comment that made me laugh.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Hannah Williams, thank you for stopping by.
Great post Beth Atalay I agree 100%. I worked a while for a man that said he was an alcoholic and had given up drinking. I then had to clean up all his beer bottles when guests came to his house. One of the best dates I ever had was once a woman wore no make up, her hair was in a pony tail and she dressed in sweats. It was so refreshing to see someone so real. It felt much more intimate to have a conversation with someone being so real. Thank you for your insightful post.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Thank you Rocky Dickerson, it is also a great feeling to go out without makeup and dressed down.
Good afternoon Beth Atalay,
I'm playing catch up on reading and commenting on posts. I was so glad Kathy Streib featured your post in her "Ah-ha" moments for the week! What an excellent post I agree with you totally. The best think is to be yourself and you will identify with like individuals. You won't please everyone but they will know who you are and what you stand for.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR, you're so right, the best thing is to be yourself, you can't go wrong with that.
We are so lucky to have found this forum...such a wealth of help and information.
Excellent post, Beth!
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Sharon Tara, indeed we are!
Hi Beth:
There are so many good points in your post, and the comments it generated. It used to be we really did not know much about people until we met in person, and then had to get to know each other. Now all that happens on the Internet, in both good and bad ways! The good news is you can learn all sorts of things about people and hopefully it's authentic!
Jeff
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
Hi Jeff Dowler, CRS, as we get older and have more experiences, we can read people easily.
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