NickVenturella.com 7-31-17

The grass is not always greener

July 31, 2017

On social media everyone is in public relations.Whether you're viewing Facebook posts of the most fun highlights of people's lives or on LinkedIn only seeing the posts of those publishing their best professional successes, nine times out of ten you compare your own life success to the perceived success of those who's 'life highlights' they have chosen to share on social media.For many, this phenomenon leaves us mad, sad or depressed. We wonder why everyone else seems to have it so together and is experiencing such great successful, happy lives. Why isn't my life that happy and successful all the time?Unfortunately, you might also be contributing to the problem and not fully realize it. Yes, you (myself included) are selectively choosing to publish mainly positive things in your life. We push out a positive image so others see all the abundance in our lives, and none of the ugly parts.In this way we are all our own public relations specialists -- preserving our image and personal brand.To some extent I don't think it's a bad thing to constantly try and be positive with what you post. The world could use a great deal of positivity. However, if before hitting the publish button you have a slight twinge in your gut that tells you, "by publishing this post I might be bragging a bit about how wonderful my life is," then maybe you should reconsider the post.This suggestion is just an exercise; something to think about to help filter out any major contributions to "the-grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side" complex that you yourself may find annoying.And as for yourself battling the perceptions of what you see from others on social media, talk to a close friend, family member, significant other, spouse, just someone you respect and trust. Talk to them in person, or at the least on a live phone conversation, and play a game where you share at least one thing you're each proud of in your life and one thing you're not so proud of. Then ask each other how you would feel if the thing you were proud of was published to social media for all to see. Follow that up by asking the same question about the thing you're not proud of. How did each of your answers change? Did they? Use that to open the door to have a conversation about this "grass-is-greener" social media issue.And as a dear friend, be sure to share something positive you genuinely admire about the person with whom you're talking. Everyone's self esteem gets boosted when they hear something nice said about them from someone they respect and trust.  :)***Reminder...

This week I'm performing my folk/pop music at the Fisher King Winery in Verona, WI on Friday August 4, 2017 beginning at 6:30pm.

I've created a Facebook Event for the show. Click the Event link to check it out, let me know if you can make it, and to the extent you're able please share it.In the Event description I've included a link to a free song to listen to or download (no need to sign up for anything to get the song).Have a great week!

Sincerely,Nick Venturella NickVenturella.comNickVmusic.net also MadVinyl.com (cover band)GrowLoop.comAutismHR.com