“You need to be professional.”
“First impressions matter.”
“How you present yourself is everything.”
I was raised in a hispanic household.
Which basically equals = high standards.
From a young age, I was constantly told:
“Juan, you need to have great manners.”
“You need to act mature.”
“You want adults to take you seriously.”
For years, I craved the approval of the ‘elders’.
My cool, older cousins that seemed like they had it all figured out.
So, I’d do my best to put on the persona of what I thought they wanted me to be.
I’d try and make jokes I didn’t even think were funny.
I’d try and relate to things that I knew nothing about.
I’d try everything I could to fit in.
Why?
So that I could be a part of the group and maybe one day, have a seat at the ‘Adultos’ table.
I’d be sitting at the kids table talking to my little cousin and a few random kids I didn’t even know (tough times) and would just think:
“One day, I’ll get there.”
As I grew up, I realized that the goal was not to be taken seriously.
My goal was to be myself.
Much easier said than done.
Over time, I consciously tried to be more myself and the crazy part?
It started to work.
People resonated more and more and I realized the thing I was running away from was THE thing that would give me the acceptance I was really looking for.
My point?
Some people spend their entire life acting like someone they think they are supposed to be.
Instead of stepping into who they really are.
This is your sign to be more YOU.
To not let pressures make you conform.
To let go of the expectations of people, roles or relationships.
When you operate from your authentic self, people are inspired to do the same for themselves.
Be a role model.
Share who you are.
Be 1000% YOU.
Happy Fruday!
Juan Bendana
Keynote Speaker
https://www.juanbendana.com/
P.S. Are we friends yet?
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