What's Your Personal Style?

March 18, 2025- Tuesday 

“Live what you believe...” Live the questions first, then what you believe...Then you have your own person style. What’s your personal style? 

My personal style has changed over the years and that may not be that unusual for people.  One of my key “styles” was to be diplomatic.  I think it is a style because it is something that I think has applied to all seasons of my life. I learned to be diplomatic when I was a kid because I learned it was a way to avoid harsh punishment from my parents. I also learned in my junior high and high school years, being diplomatic helped me to avoid rejection which is my number on fear in life. Being diplomatic paid enormous dividends for me professionally in more ways and more situations than I could ever remember.  

I am also usually calm. I may be stressed and anxious on the inside, but I stay calm on the outside. I also think I have a casual style in most situations.  I remember as a young teenager I was not going to try to be someone I really was not.  When I would attempt to act in a way that was foreign to who I really am, I would be very uncomfortable. If I felt I was acting, I stopped.  Part of that is being casual.  I am very uncomfortable in formal situations especially with certain societal expectations which includes a lot of pretenses. I’d rather be sitting outside cooking on a grill.

Another thing is being honest with yourself. I did not want to create an image I wanted people to see that was not representative of who I really was. Some people think it necessary to market themselves to the world. I do not self-promote and not being a good salesman has compromised me in some situations, but I see self-promotion as arrogance, so I avoid it. I detest the phrase, "You be you". I think it is used to excuse bizarre behavior that is abhorrent to many but acceptable to a few. That being said, I do think we need to present an honest image of who we are. That way people will not be deceived which will be harmful to both parties.  

I am comfortable with who I am although far from perfect and still a need to continue to improve.