Social media continues to show me why I am less and less drawn to spend time on it–I’m working up the courage to bail on it, with the exception of using it to distribute content and document life on IG for my Self.

I saw a post saying that J. Cole is the most performative hip-hop artist, trying to convince everyone that he is humble.

SMH.

For those not familiar with why someone would post this, J. Cole, who happens to be 1.b in my favorite artists (with 1.a Kendrick Lamar), just released his long-awaited album, The Fall Off. As a part of his rollout, he drove around North Carolina and a few other states in his old Honda Civic, selling CDs out of the trunk of the car like he did when he first got started. He also held a number of impromptu meet-and-greets with fans and remained extremely accessible throughout.

The selling of CDs.

The old Honda Civic.

The hoodies.

The accessibility to his fans.

The humility exhibited the entire time.

These things bothered some people as they couldn’t believe someone of J. Cole’s status and level of success would be doing them. But they forget, J. Cole is the same person seen riding his bike around New York City as if he were just a normal New Yorker. One of the things that drives me crazy is the people calling his humility an act would be complaining if he was driving around in his Lamborghini SUV (which he does drive), staying behind a line of bodyguards, not interacting with his fans, and doing so while all iced out in jewelry.

J. Cole can’t win.

Thankfully, I don’t think he pays any attention to those comments and just continues to live his Authentic Life–my authenticity reader is pretty accurate, and J. Cole is as authentic as they come, especially for a star.

But it’s not just the stars that are subject to these comments.

I happened to be included in a list of advisors on a LinkedIn post this week, whom the original poster felt were advisors doing a great job. I appreciated being included in the list, especially given who else was included. I also know there are a ton of great advisors that were not included, but the poster asked who should be included. I believe the intent of the post was positive, but of course, the comments took it in a different direction.

I only visited the comments once, so maybe this has changed, but the majority of the comments didn't include other great advisors and questioned whether the list of advisors was really good at their jobs or just good at marketing or content. Like J. Cole, the comments don’t bother me and I don’t need them to give me confidence that I am good at the work I do–I’ve proven I’m a great financial advisor by the business I’ve intentionally built with RLS Wealth and as I’ve tapped into my unique gifts and talents, I know that there is no one that can do what I’m doing with AlignedLife+–others can do similar work in their own way, but AlignedLife+ with me is one of one.

None of the commenters has worked with me, and I’m guessing they’ve never worked with any of the other advisors, yet they were quick to assert that the common thread amongst the advisors listed was not our craft but just the ability to create content and market.

Just like Cole is faking his humility.

As you pursue your Authentic Life, realize that comments, whether online or in person, do not impact your Pursuit, unless you allow them to.

The more aligned you are with your Authentic Life, the easier it becomes to tune out the noise because you’re not seeking validation in the comments–the validation comes from within and from the people who actually get to experience your unique gifts and talents.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC