Comments on: Converging Thoughts on Being Yourself at Work

By: Are We Having Fun Yet? — hallicious

Are We Having Fun Yet? — hallicious — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:28:10 +0000

[...] you are going… And what better time than a new decade to truly go for it? I also think that being yourself, having focus, and doing stuff are all necessary on our journeys toward self actualization, [...]

By: femelmed

femelmed — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:43:03 +0000

ed, i had the exact same fears. that's what the post chris references is all about! and what i found is…nothing happens, but i get happier, find people admire my ability to “be less boring,” and that i am having more fun with my work. pushing yourself out of your box emboldens you to push all of your thinking out of it too.

By: femelmed

femelmed — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:43:03 +0000

By: Hallicious

Hallicious — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:20:16 +0000

Great points, Ed. I like to look at what I can gain by being myself as opposed to what I could lose. If I lose the acquaintance of some boring / bland people then so be it… Especially if I'm able to attract fun / exciting people in the process.

It's not easy though. Definitely something I'm working on over time… :)

By: Ed Hammerbeck

Ed Hammerbeck — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:54:32 +0000

My theme for 2010 is “Be less boring” so this was a timely thing for me to read, but I gotta tell you, it's intimidating. First, there's such an overwhelming culture of conformity that we're up against. The notion of “professionalism” — so bland, so white, and so normal … like Cream of Wheat or something — permeates every workplace and professional organization I've been involved in. Let my freak flag fly? I'd love to but what will happen? Will I be forced back into my box? Will I eat alone at lunch? Will they stop inviting me to retirement parties? Probably not, but it's tough to swim against the stream.

Thanks for giving me food for thought during Thanksgiving week. Yum!