Every conversation with my sister ALWAYS ends with “You sound so weird. Smh.”
In my book, Trailblazer––which you can get here and here, (insert shameless promotion, wink wink), I talk about an embarrassing event.
You know how company executives, managers, and co-workers always tell you to “feel at home because you’re home?” Well, I took that too literally a few years ago.
I was at one of my internship sites one day when my manager walked in and asked everyone, “What are your plans for the weekend?”
Still excited from having just developed a training checklist for new hires, I replied, “Making babies!” We both laughed and commented on how random I was and moved on with our lives.
But on the day of my internship evaluation, I was handed a 2 out of 5 even though I believed I had performed excellently per job description. It was only while reflecting on my performance that I remembered that I had put my foot in my mouth earlier on.
Okay. That was a one-time event. Maybe not.
There was this one time that I called my college ID card racist because it came out darker in color than my peer’s card, which was wayyyy lighter in color. He might have thought the “racist” comment was directed at the person responsible for printing the card. Or the school. Or the card itself!
I shouldn’t have done that to him. He wasn’t ready.
I’m sharing one of my most embarrassing moments with you because I know you’re goofy like I am.
Get the bonus workbook on how to control your goofy personal brand
But I’m all professional as professional can get.
I don’t go around acting like a fool when I should be creating, producing, and directing.
I’ve the attitude of a CEO for goodness sake. I own companies and answer to so many people. I’m burdened with the task of making sure that every young person out there finds that less traveled road…and trails it…making a way for others to walk on.
This is what I’m saying: I’m funny. But I get my work done.
I’m different but I treat others with respect. I have a hearty laughter. But I observe decorum when time and situation calls for it. I love making others happy. But I’m not a pushover. I sometimes enjoy self-deprecating humor. But I’m so not a dumbo. I don’t make racist or sexist jokes. But I enjoy a good laugh over a strained effort to sound smart.
Straining to sound smart…
…is so not my style. I’m a professional. But just because I don’t conform to society’s demand for robotic, self-righteous, and monotonous employees doesn’t make me any less professional than others are.
Why being goofy shouldn’t bother you.
Repeat after me…
I love myself AND have forgiven myself
Really. I love every part of me. I love my little girl self who confidently told the guys off. I love the scared me who shrunk herself because her friends were intimidated by her. I love the worrisome me who developed anxiety over what would be, my unemployed streak for 13 months, and my inability to make money in my first few months of business.
I love the extremely competitive me who sometimes can’t wait to cut people off mid-sentence. I love the me who cries myself to sleep after every set back.
Some of the things I exposed about myself are positive and negative. But I love these aspects of me.
Why?
Because I’ve forgiven me. Love forgives. That’s what it does. And because love allows me to be real and authentic, it also allows me to forgive myself AND others. And because I’m able to forgive myself and others, I can forgive my co-workers when they offend me.
I can understand you better and show more empathy.
Oppa Bruh didn’t mean it.
I can forgive an overbearing boss. I can forgive rude and condescending remarks. I can forgive your antics to get seen, to get noticed, to be celebrated.
I understand you because I’ve been through your struggle. Heck, I struggle with being a goofball and wondering if someone will be offended by my mere existence.
I get it. It’s okay. We may not stay friends but I will forgive you.
Because I’m goofy, I can stay professional by giving you a second chance.
I can connect better with those whose souls yearn for a precious release.
To every goofball out there: you are worth it. You deserve to be treated with respect…the same respect that is accorded your prim and proper co-worker.
Sometimes you think you’re dumb because you’re goofy. You want to stifle your voice because you’re too loud. You care so much and are SO open that it’s such a rarity in your space; you’re an outlier. You’re too happy that you wonder if people are ever going to take you serious.
But here’s the back-breaking one: you’re constantly being misunderstood. No one sees your professionalism. They pay attention to your goofiness and start out to list 10 ways you don’t fit in.
I get it. But help is here.
In this bonus worksheet, you’re going to learn how to work through “your flaws” and reconstruct your thoughts to accept them as your greatest strengths.
Goofy people are smart people too. They only need calibration. Titration. Control. Confidence.
Think Marie Forleo. She’s goofy yet has control over her brand.
Tweet: The world needs that special gift that ONLY YOU have! by @marieforleo.
via @margaretolat
And I will share the How to that in the bonus worksheet below.
So, prim and proper folks, don’t tell us to be like you.
Any goofy person in the house? Share your goofiness in the comments below!
Bonus Worksheet
