What Hat Do You Wear?

In our lifes as REALTORS (R) we learn to put on different hats depending on what tasks are upon us.  Mommy, Seller agent, Tough Game Day agent, Divorce mediator,  etc.

Are You YOU?

However, what hat to do put on daily? Who are you? I am very transparent in my life - I am ME. That's it. I'm just Me. Whether I'm talking to you as your Real Estate Agent, as your Business Associate, your online friend, your newest networking contact, your latest face-to-face meetup - I AM ME.

Do you Hide Behind a Hat?

Who are you online? Who are you on ActiveRain? On Twitter? What happens when you meet face-to-face? Are people surprised? Most of the people I have meet up with, it has been a great pleasure. They are just like I've gotten to know them in the circles I travel online.

However, I can't say that about everyone that I've met, I wish I could. Some people become someone they want to be online - then you meet in person - and the truth comes out. They hide behind someone they want to be.

Be YOU

Can I just say that it is not worth it to become someone else. It will bite you in the butt. Trust me on this one. Being deceitful, dishonest, or a fake will come back to bite you in some way or another. I will go out on a limb and speak for most of the online communities - We want to know you. Really! YOU. No, everyone is not going to get along with everyone. But isn't it better that you are liked for who you are; not who you have faked you to be?

No Matter Who - Be You !

People are smart. They can read phoney's. When you meet with clients - be straight with them. When you are connecting with other Real Estate Agents - be straight with them. There isn't any use in pretending to be someone/something you aren't - THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS WIN.  (Maybe not right away - but it will win.)

Today is the birthday of Al Gorithm.  But Al isn't really Al. Most of us who know @Twitterzilla know who Al is however. Or do we? Is he like Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street? Dr Wilson, the next door neighbor who never showed his face on Home Improvement?

Wishing Al a Happy Birthday got me thinking about sharing why my children are AChrome22, Princess19, and LittleOne5 if we aren't friends.

There are many different names you might know from others .... TallOne, Husband, Spousal Unit, Kidlet, Fric, Frac, etc. Rarely do we, as Bloggers use real names of friends, family, and associates.

Why? In my opinion there are two big reasons - do you have more to add?

1. There are crazies out there. My life is very transparent in the blogging and online social networking that I do. I don't want people to have that same transparency with my friends & family. They need protection, especially the Little Ones.  (By the way, please never, never post a picture of your children in public view)
   
2. I want them to have a voice in their online identity. My older children are both online quite a bit. They are who they are. I want them to decide what they want people to know and not.

So along with saying Happy Birthday, to Al, support Al being Al and not Jack, or Rob, or Bart, if those were his given name.

If you are a new blogger... please think this through - protect the ones close to you. We have to be so transparent so people find us - but we don't need to make that decision for others.

PS AlGorithm I hope you get some Banana Cream Pie today! (And playtime!) Happy Birthday!!!