The real us vs. the online us

to be more consistent, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow? What would it look like for us to be so consistent in our actions, thoughts, words and posts? What would it look like and feel like if we were the same happy, cheerful, thoughtful, fun and loving person that people see on social media?

I guess the hard question we must ask ourselves is this, “Why am I not the same person that I want others to see in me?” What is driving my inconsistency? Am I faking it? Am I faking it just so others don’t see the real me or the other side of me? Or that they won’t see the di culties in my life or my moments of being fragile?

ere is that joke about a police o cer pulling over a car. ere was a woman showing animated signs of being angry and upset, waving her arms around, screaming and demonstrating all kinds of road rage. When the o cer pulled her over, she asked why she was being pulled over. e o cer replied that he thought the car may have been stolen. Confused, the woman asked why. e o cer said because he saw the Jesus bumper sticker and the sh emblem on the back of the car and then saw the anger and road rage going on so he simply assumed that the car must have been stolen.

How many times have we argued with our spouse or children and then when a friend shows up, we put on our best smile, happy face, and kindest appearance? We have all done it and have done it more times than we care to remember. We have all done it, and all the while knowing we were faking it or being disingenuous.

What if our good, kind, cheerful, thoughtful, fun and loving social media self became our everyday self? It would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? However, we know that life happens, and yes there is the muck and yuck of life that happens. We have seasons that are more di cult than others and most of the time, that is when we look for quiet solitude and when we allow our emotions to be ex- pressed. It’s OK to feel hurt, angry and upset when necessary, its natural. I am talking more about the everyday attitude we walk around with most of the time.

We have been so blessed, there is no reason to walk around looking like the picture on our driver’s license. Or like we have been weaned on a pickle. In our most di cult days, we have to channel our better self, showing up with grace regardless of the circumstance.

Do you share the bright, happy, cheerful, and loving moments of your life on social media? Would it be fantastic if most of our days we showed up to life like that? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com, and when we can work toward consistency whether we are on social media or not, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

Adams County Regional Economic Partnership recently hosted its annual State of the Region luncheon in Westminster. Stakeholders and elected o cials, including Governor Polis, were in attendance to highlight the economic growth, demographic trends, and achievements of local businesses and communities within the Greater Adams County region. One common theme was an overwhelming optimism about the region’s direction and future opportunities.

Adams County is evolving into a premier location for vital strategic industries—from life sciences to advanced manufacturing to next-generation energy solutions. American technological innovation and digital tools have unlocked e ciencies and contributed to the diversi cation of the Colorado economy in ways that would have been unfathomable even ten years ago. Today, every industry or company is an IT-dependent operation. is evolution also provides excellent career opportunities for our young workforce in Adams County. By harnessing the latest technology in local business operations, Adams County will be an economic powerhouse for generations.

Technology and innovation have certainly played an invaluable role in transforming the Colorado economy. We have witnessed how proactive stakeholder engagement with emerging industries at the state and local levels promotes a healthy business environment. Alternatively, we’ve seen what happens when industry experts are ignored or left out of policy conversations and the detrimental impacts that can have on individual industry sector growth. We need to avoid pitfalls that could reverse technology’s gains in bolstering growth in certain sectors of the Adams County economy. We believe our region will see continued success if we can remove barriers to entry for new technological advancements and be mindful of implementing regulations that impede innovation and development. Misguided regulatory or legislative proposals could sti e the innovation underpinning so much of our region’s—and state’s— success. e state of the Greater Adams County region is strong. We need support from our public o cials and continued leadership from the local business community to ensure that it stays that way. As leaders look towards future regulations and legislation, AC-REP stands ready to convene stakeholders and develop solutions that keep our technology economy solid and successful.

Lisa Hough, President, Adams County Regional Economic Partnership