Being Human to Begin With

Back in March, from the 20th-22nd, there was an annual event titled Social Media Marketing World 2019 that was held in San Diego, a conference I’ve desired to attend for years. It was a blessing to be chosen to volunteer and serve with a great team to help ensure attendees that their experience was absolutely worth it, which it sure looked like it proved to be true. From serving the attendees, catching up with friends therefore solidifying friendships, and exploring outside the venue, it has been a productive, edifying, and impactful three days. Given everything that has occurred over the time, it is understandable now how incredibly popular this conference is.

Perhaps, what I loved the most in regards to those who were speakers was not just their content being presented. Big platforms can cause big egos, however this was never the case. Humility reigned within every person I came across, and I cherished it. People I was blessed to meet including Mark Schaefer, Ray Edwards, Mari Smith, Brian Fanzo, and many more displayed an authentic and refreshing combination of humility, consideration, and respect, with their humanity completely in tact and on display. There was never really a favorite segment of the event in terms of the people I met. Meeting people I have known prior via social media was just as amazing as meeting new people. Growing up introverted, this not only commanded my comfort zone to flee, but it compelled me to continue to pursue the path I’m on (business) and share my story along the way. All of the talks and the subject of social media marketing can be summed up in one concept: being human. I would say authenticity, however “being authentic” has become overused and contains many definitions. Being human carries a much greater meaning, and it is not about learning to be repaired and human again after a period of tribulation. It is not about being human again after putting on a facade. Rather, it is about being human to begin with, which makes it so much easier. So many individuals, especially fellow millennials, are trapped in the harmful notion that they ought to live up to everything they witness online. This lie has been the catalyst for more suicides, anxiety and bouts of depression, and as recent as January 2019, more girls particularly have experienced depression as a result of social media. Whether online or off, comparison kills. We need to not allow our humanity to get stripped for the sake of shallow notoriety. When you try to follow and cater to everyone, you reach little to none. This is where discernment comes in. Take time to discern and evaluate who you aspire to connect and share yourself with. To discern requires you to get to the absolute root of all that you are and what you do. This will help us indicate who we are aspiring to serve.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in this conference, especially as a volunteer, was to be present. When I say being present, it is not just being “in the moment.” It is being aware of what people are moved by, being completely considerate and attentive during conversations, and it is what inspires them to wake up each day. The more we serve instead of sell, the more we allow ourselves to truly be present and truly exemplify what it means to be an influencer. It was a joy this week to serve without expecting anything in return. Seek and embrace your humanity early on in life before you end up having to reclaim it.