The 21st Century is making an art of creating entertainment for the masses through humiliating and embarrassing information, sometimes not always true or an accurate reflection of a situation.
On a daily basis, people will read an online news story, view a video on YouTube, or even Google someone's name and find out a lifetime of information about an alleged discretion or embarrassing moment.
It does not matter the context of the situation or whether it's true.
The news trolls philosophy is if it's being reported, it must be factually true.
For celebrities and entertainers, they can afford media and PR specialists to help navigate online embarrassment and trending misinformation with favorable information or to stage positive press.
But for the everyday, common working person who may have a misstep, well, it sucks.
You will have to wait until the information is no longer relevant.
The caveat, however, is that anything on the Internet and social media is there for good and the information could surface and affect you later in life, like in a job interview.
Unless you are able to hire an online reputation management company, you may want to re-invent the perception of yourself outside of how social media has portrayed you and the situation.
I call that a micro-reinvention strategy.
So, here are some things to consider that you can do yourself when considering a micro re-invention: 1) Move.
Okay, so this may not be as easy as it sounds or even necessary, but depending on the severity of the situation, why would you want to stick around someplace that's a constant reminder or causes you pain.
Sometimes a fresh start and distance from a controversy is necessary for healing.
2) Share your story.
Detail your experience in the written form (or as a public speaker).
E-books are popular nowadays, so even if you don't think you are a good writer, record your story and have a professional writer and editor create structure for your story and help you create an e-book.
Don't think anyone will read it? Depends on your story and how you spin and market it.
People love to hear stories about overcoming obstacles because they are relatable and encouraging.
3) Change your name.
Many people introduce themselves with their nickname or will legally use their middle name.
However, this may not be as effective if you don't change your behavior.
Re-invention requires a major overhaul in your presentation and mindset.
It requires you to highlight your best qualities and that could mean changing your associations and affiliations with your circle of friends if they do not support your re-invention efforts.
I was recently searching for a child actor from the 70s only to learn that he had changed his last name and now working as a producer.
While it seemed odd, I presumed he wanted to associate his new career separate from his past acting experience.
The point is, this can be effective for some people, depending on your intent and goals.
4) Start a new career.
So your public embarrassment has affected your job and you want to change your industry.
This may be tough because it may require literally starting from the bottom and working your way up.
But have no fear.
This is a time to explore careers that you may have always wanted to try but did not see an opportunity.
Use networking techniques to meet people in that industry and share your marketable skills.
Before you do this, make sure you go through a process in which you identify your best skills and how they can add value to the new venture.
For instance, if you're a banker but need to change careers and always wanted to work in the entertainment industry.
You could leverage your abilities and skill set by discussing how you are adept at managing people (customers) and solving their problems, or how using your analytical skills helps you to assess risks.
5) Stay out of the limelight.
The best way to really make it go away is to stay out of the limelight.
Carry on about your day-to-day business but in a discreet manner as to not draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
Again, this is when you will need to consider your circle of friends.
Will hanging out with them continue to associate you to the situation.
But most importantly, when all else fails, you can do nothing, and just let the situation run its course while you keep on living and learning from your situation.
Most situations are only big in our heads and probably won't affect us as much as we think.
However, if you know or feel otherwise, then get unstuck and come up with a plan of action for taking charge of your life and reputation.
Oftentimes, situations present themselves to create more mindfulness or to aid us in ways that we are not aware.
I know an acquaintance who always says, "rejection is protection.
" It's all in a matter of your personal perspective and approach.
The key is to never allow a personal moment of poor judgment in public to define the remainder of your life.
Only you can control your destiny.
On a daily basis, people will read an online news story, view a video on YouTube, or even Google someone's name and find out a lifetime of information about an alleged discretion or embarrassing moment.
It does not matter the context of the situation or whether it's true.
The news trolls philosophy is if it's being reported, it must be factually true.
For celebrities and entertainers, they can afford media and PR specialists to help navigate online embarrassment and trending misinformation with favorable information or to stage positive press.
But for the everyday, common working person who may have a misstep, well, it sucks.
You will have to wait until the information is no longer relevant.
The caveat, however, is that anything on the Internet and social media is there for good and the information could surface and affect you later in life, like in a job interview.
Unless you are able to hire an online reputation management company, you may want to re-invent the perception of yourself outside of how social media has portrayed you and the situation.
I call that a micro-reinvention strategy.
So, here are some things to consider that you can do yourself when considering a micro re-invention: 1) Move.
Okay, so this may not be as easy as it sounds or even necessary, but depending on the severity of the situation, why would you want to stick around someplace that's a constant reminder or causes you pain.
Sometimes a fresh start and distance from a controversy is necessary for healing.
2) Share your story.
Detail your experience in the written form (or as a public speaker).
E-books are popular nowadays, so even if you don't think you are a good writer, record your story and have a professional writer and editor create structure for your story and help you create an e-book.
Don't think anyone will read it? Depends on your story and how you spin and market it.
People love to hear stories about overcoming obstacles because they are relatable and encouraging.
3) Change your name.
Many people introduce themselves with their nickname or will legally use their middle name.
However, this may not be as effective if you don't change your behavior.
Re-invention requires a major overhaul in your presentation and mindset.
It requires you to highlight your best qualities and that could mean changing your associations and affiliations with your circle of friends if they do not support your re-invention efforts.
I was recently searching for a child actor from the 70s only to learn that he had changed his last name and now working as a producer.
While it seemed odd, I presumed he wanted to associate his new career separate from his past acting experience.
The point is, this can be effective for some people, depending on your intent and goals.
4) Start a new career.
So your public embarrassment has affected your job and you want to change your industry.
This may be tough because it may require literally starting from the bottom and working your way up.
But have no fear.
This is a time to explore careers that you may have always wanted to try but did not see an opportunity.
Use networking techniques to meet people in that industry and share your marketable skills.
Before you do this, make sure you go through a process in which you identify your best skills and how they can add value to the new venture.
For instance, if you're a banker but need to change careers and always wanted to work in the entertainment industry.
You could leverage your abilities and skill set by discussing how you are adept at managing people (customers) and solving their problems, or how using your analytical skills helps you to assess risks.
5) Stay out of the limelight.
The best way to really make it go away is to stay out of the limelight.
Carry on about your day-to-day business but in a discreet manner as to not draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
Again, this is when you will need to consider your circle of friends.
Will hanging out with them continue to associate you to the situation.
But most importantly, when all else fails, you can do nothing, and just let the situation run its course while you keep on living and learning from your situation.
Most situations are only big in our heads and probably won't affect us as much as we think.
However, if you know or feel otherwise, then get unstuck and come up with a plan of action for taking charge of your life and reputation.
Oftentimes, situations present themselves to create more mindfulness or to aid us in ways that we are not aware.
I know an acquaintance who always says, "rejection is protection.
" It's all in a matter of your personal perspective and approach.
The key is to never allow a personal moment of poor judgment in public to define the remainder of your life.
Only you can control your destiny.
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