The Feed...

Ever thought about the double meaning behind the word "feed"??We all know it refers to providing nourishment, but it can also describe a constant stream of information.?

Our minds are hungry - they crave knowledge, inspiration, & connection. Just like our bodies, what we feed them matters.

Perhaps that's why the content we consume online is called a "feed."?LinkedIn, in particular, can be a powerful tool to nourish your professional mind.?

But be mindful of what you're taking in. A steady diet of carefully curated images, unrealistic accomplishments, & unsubstantiated claims won't do you much good.

Do you all know the "tell us about your weakness" question in interviews that doesn't really uncover your true weaknesses?

Because you have rehearsed what you should say & package it into something that ultimately reflects your strength & making you seem stronger even in the "weak" that you choose to show.

Posts with a hint of vulnerability to relate to then focusing entirely on "superfluous accomplishments & self praise" ending with a pitch to influence you into buying from them under the hood of wrapping it as "giving back to the community", are just that.

It's nothing more than junk food to your mind & body. Not saying you shouldn't have it; just saying it won't make you any healthier & can lead to upsets later. Choice is yours.

Instead, focus on cultivating a healthy LinkedIn feed. Seek out posts grounded in reality, that offer relevant insights, & are based on truth.?Engage in discussions with people who share your drive to learn & grow.

By feeding your mind with valuable content, you'll be better equipped to thrive in your career.

At the same time, pay attention to what are you giving back to get fed.

For e.g. A time management tip of pomodoro technique coming from someone with 200K+ followers would be the same as coming from someone with 200 followers but wrapped with their superfluous achievements & pitch to influence you into shelling out $$$ from you. Again, as I said, the choice is yours!

Another example, when someone tells you their client got a 300K job, ask them how did the client come to them? With whose reference? By looking at which previous client success story?

Ask them how much did the client earn previously?

Ask them how much experience did the client have?

Ask them, how much did the client pay to them first?

Ask them how, in how much time did the client get that 300K job & after how many applications? What was the budget range?

Ask them what did they do differently with their client? Try & get details not just on the surface as in a plain "customized" plan or guidance as an answer. If they offer customized plan or guidance, it would be different for you than it was for client so what refrains them from sharing it with you? And if all "customized" are going to be the "generic" things then you know they are lying there, right away.

Ask them how many clients have they served & how many clients have they had this success story with?

You are already paying them with your time. Should you be giving anything more?

And more importantly, talk to them in DM.

DM's may reflect a complete different picture of them than what they show in the posts & also uncover hollowness in their promises they flaunt on LI.

And while not total reality still, DM's may be more closer than posts in terms of their real behaviors as it is 1-1 conversation !

Of course, that would be when they would respond to you. And they would do that if there is something in it for them, a lead, or a bigger network to promote themselves & so on. If they don't benefit from you, they won't respond to your DMs. Use that as a "litmus" test.

Note that I am not against self promotion or anyone selling any services or products. They can totally do that. And what better than this "professional" network to do it. But they need to do it authentically.

For e.g. If I have 30 clients & I help 1 client land a job, that ratio isn't what I should boast about. 1/30, really? And if I am charging all 30 clients, for 29 I have not delivered. So do you think I should claim success as mine for the 1?

Likewise, if I have 1 client & I land them a job, even that ratio of 100% isn't convincing because I can't extrapolate that data to say 30 on 30 success rate.

Have you ever seen anyone flaunting their "soft wrapped" vulnerability from telling you they their clients didn't get a job?

That their services didn't work for majority of client?

That they had to refund money?

That they couldn't deliver as they promised but still charged to the clients?

Definitely none to my notice. And even if there would be any, it would be like for 1 unsuccessful client and then ending with how they changed their ways to make themselves more effective and got X more clients and resulted in their successes.

Are you getting the pattern?

Yes, exactly the "Tell me about your weaknesses" in the interview.

So be aware about whom you follow & believe.

Misrepresentation is not advertising, it is pure lying.

I know this article will be looked upon by many as negative, demotivating, not looking at the positive side & what not. Some may even call it as promoting disbelief in the influencers. Some may call me "naysayer" or even cynical. But the truth is, deep down inside they know what I am saying is true & I have the nerve to call spade, a spade.

I know this wouldn't go down well with a lot of people on LinkedIn, but it will go down well with the right people on LinkedIn. Quality is always better than quantity, isn't it?

For hard hitting truths, take a look at my articles (some of them uncover ground reality different than the pinky painted picture elsewhere).

P.S.: If someone is offering their services for free, then opt for it because you will realise there is nothing to lose. And trust me, there are many genuine people on LinkedIn who are not "preying" but are willingly helping. They are offering not just great content but also few services for free. And if you benefit from them consider spreading the word &/or paying them back later for their services whenever your situation is better than now. One such name I can vouch on for PMP Aspirants is Gabor Stramb . Not that he needs a certificate from me or anyone, and this isn't a sponsored article too, but anyone knowing him will acknowledge the thoughts about him.

Btw, I don't expect this to be shared or reposted because the population on LinkedIn that this will truly make sense to is less. Everyone is busy either hunting or falling prey to.

If you fall in neither of these categories, you may stand out by sharing this. Again, choice is yours!

#feedwhatmatters #feedwhatsreal #feedwhatsgenuine #feedwhathelpsgrow #feedyourthoughts