No More Hiding Behind Scrolling: My First LinkedIn Article
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of LinkedIn posts—endless scrolling, liking, commenting, but never sharing. That was me. I used to be a passive observer, scrolling through the polished profiles and success stories of others, always thinking, “One day, I’ll post. But not today.”
And for a long time, that day never came. I was like an egg in its shell—quiet, protected, and content in my little space, not ready to crack open and step into the world.
But then something changed.
Two days ago, I attended a workshop that changed everything I thought I knew about myself. Thanks to Garima Sharma Nijhawan who wasn’t just a mentor and guide but a lighthouse in the fog of my hesitation. It was through her LinkedIn Launchpad workshop that I first realized—I was an egg.
Let me explain. Think about an egg. It’s protected by a hard shell, keeping it safe from the outside world. But as long as that egg stays in the shell, it remains potential. It doesn’t transform into the vibrant, nourishing omelet or the perfect boiled egg until something forces it to break open. Without that external push—whether it’s the pressure of boiling water or the force of someone cracking it open—the egg just stays...well, an egg.
That was me. Stuck in my shell, watching the world around me, but never fully engaging. I had ideas, thoughts, and insights to share, but I was too afraid of judgment, too afraid of not being good enough. So, I hid behind the screen, observing but never participating. My procrastination was my shell, and the fear of not being perfect kept me from breaking out.
But Garima Sharma Nijhawan showed me something transformative: The egg doesn’t need to wait for the perfect moment to hatch. It just needs to be cracked open and given the right environment to grow. And so, with her guidance, I cracked open my shell, took a deep breath, and shared my first post. This is it—my first step out of hiding.
The Journey from Hesitation to Action
Here’s what I learned in the process of breaking free:
1. Profile Optimization is the Key to Unlocking Your Potential:
Just like an egg’s shell is its first line of defense, your LinkedIn profile is your first impression in the professional world. It’s your unique packaging. Optimizing your profile means showcasing your talents, skills, and values so that others can see the potential within you. It’s your chance to share who you are, what you stand for, and what you can bring to the table.
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2. Engage with Leaders Who Inspire You:
An egg alone is just an egg—but add heat, and it transforms. Similarly, engaging with leaders in your industry, connecting with the people who inspire you, and learning from their journeys can heat up your professional growth. LinkedIn is a space where you can learn from the very people you admire—if you reach out, ask questions, and actively engage with them.
3. Find an Accountability Partner to Keep You on Track:
Growth is rarely a solo endeavor. Finding an accountability partner—someone who will challenge you, support you, and help you stay focused—was a game-changer for me. It’s like having a co-pilot on a journey, making sure you don’t stray too far off course. Whether it’s a colleague, a mentor, or someone from a workshop, having a partner makes the journey more rewarding.
4. Consistency and Authenticity Are the Building Blocks of Success:
An egg doesn’t turn into an omelet after just one attempt. It’s a process. Similarly, success on LinkedIn doesn’t happen overnight. It requires consistency in showing up, sharing your thoughts, engaging with your network, and staying true to your authentic self. People are drawn to authenticity, not perfection. So, don’t be afraid to share your real, unpolished journey.
After the LinkedIn Launchpad workshop, I realized that the hardest part wasn’t the posting itself—it was the act of starting. The pressure of perfection, the fear of judgment, and the hesitation to share something imperfect kept me stuck in my shell. But now I know: The first step is simply to start. You can always refine and improve as you go.
As I look back at my journey from passive observer to active participant, I’m reminded of the transformation that happens when we allow ourselves to step outside our comfort zones. Just like the egg becomes something new when cracked open, so too do we grow and evolve when we step into the unknown.
So, here I am, no longer hidden behind the screen, ready to share my thoughts, my experiences, and my journey with all of you. I’m excited to continue learning, engaging, and growing alongside this amazing community of professionals.
Thank you for reading my first LinkedIn post. I hope it encourages you to break free from your own shell, to step into the world, and to share your own voice. After all, we’re all potential in the making—waiting for that moment to crack open and shine.
Business Tech Analyst @ Deloitte USI | Ex-ASE Intern @ Recruit CRM | MCA @ MIT’25
2 个月There you go. Kudos that you took the initiative!
IIMC 25 | Advertising & Public relation || Content writer || Social Media Management ||
2 个月Really commendable Ankita! Great post ????
Student at Indian Institute of Mass Communication | AD & PR Department
2 个月Congratulations Ankita on starting your LinkedIn journey?? Wishing you all the best in finding relevant connections and building your professional network on this platform??
IIMC'25, SXCCAL 24, Video editor, filmmaker, actor, freelancer.
2 个月A really insightful post Ankita. Here's to the starting of your LinkedIn journey! ?
Communications Expert I Educator, Trainer & Coach I PhD Scholar I e4m 40under40 2019 l RT 40 Young Turks 2021 | BW Emerging Leader in PR 2022 |
2 个月Ankita Singh I really appreciate the time you took to reflect upon your learnings and curate this insightful article. Full credit to students who chose to capture their views in a post but you took a step further and assimilated your thoughts in long form content. Appreciate your effort ?? stay on course and be consistent. Onwards and upwards