Everyone
has moments of self-reflection where they question what makes them who they
are. While the answer to that is complicated and depends on the person, I would
like to propose that who you are was predetermined before you were born. Each
of us was given an identity based on race, social economics, gender, height,
weigh, etc. Those factors informed us as to whether or not we could be cool,
smart, beautiful, tough… While the very characteristics that we were given from
birth create our identity, they also stand in the way of creating
breakthroughs.
has moments of self-reflection where they question what makes them who they
are. While the answer to that is complicated and depends on the person, I would
like to propose that who you are was predetermined before you were born. Each
of us was given an identity based on race, social economics, gender, height,
weigh, etc. Those factors informed us as to whether or not we could be cool,
smart, beautiful, tough… While the very characteristics that we were given from
birth create our identity, they also stand in the way of creating
breakthroughs.
To
put it bluntly, what got you to your current level of success is not what will
take you to the next level. As a rule, you will have to become someone else and
acquire new skills and competencies to rise to the next level of success.
However, most of us lack the process for achieving that or the imagination to
conceive of new mental models. Others lack the courage in some cases to
invalidate who they were. If you observe your life, you will see that your
environment and network supports who you have been. Anything that disagrees
with who you are makes you uncomfortable, and you avoid it.
put it bluntly, what got you to your current level of success is not what will
take you to the next level. As a rule, you will have to become someone else and
acquire new skills and competencies to rise to the next level of success.
However, most of us lack the process for achieving that or the imagination to
conceive of new mental models. Others lack the courage in some cases to
invalidate who they were. If you observe your life, you will see that your
environment and network supports who you have been. Anything that disagrees
with who you are makes you uncomfortable, and you avoid it.
So
how does one create personal breakthroughs that allow them to make quantum
leaps in professional performance? First, get clear about a myth. Most people
think they have made up their identities, that they are who they want to be.
This is wrong. To a significant degree, that identity was given to you. Your
identity informs you of your mindset, what you say and what you do. In other
words, you literally have nothing to do with what you say and do. If you think
you are the exception, think about your response to my statement and ask
yourself where you learned to think that response. I promise you that way of
thinking existed before you were born and it was given to you as the right way
to respond to my words.
how does one create personal breakthroughs that allow them to make quantum
leaps in professional performance? First, get clear about a myth. Most people
think they have made up their identities, that they are who they want to be.
This is wrong. To a significant degree, that identity was given to you. Your
identity informs you of your mindset, what you say and what you do. In other
words, you literally have nothing to do with what you say and do. If you think
you are the exception, think about your response to my statement and ask
yourself where you learned to think that response. I promise you that way of
thinking existed before you were born and it was given to you as the right way
to respond to my words.
Second,
be honest about what you would like to accomplish and experience in your daily
life. Third, visualize who you would have to be and the correlated actions you
would have to take to get there.
Fourth, socialize with new people. Allow yourself to befriend people who
are outside of your normal network. In fact, it would be great to form a network
of support with people who have already done what you would like to do. If your
vision is for something that has never been done, form a network with people
who are accustomed to breaking records or inventing new things.
be honest about what you would like to accomplish and experience in your daily
life. Third, visualize who you would have to be and the correlated actions you
would have to take to get there.
Fourth, socialize with new people. Allow yourself to befriend people who
are outside of your normal network. In fact, it would be great to form a network
of support with people who have already done what you would like to do. If your
vision is for something that has never been done, form a network with people
who are accustomed to breaking records or inventing new things.
Even
though letting go of your existing identity is a huge undertaking, it is
possible. People and companies do it every day. Your identity is from your
past. Holding on to the past is a guaranteed strategy for repeating the past
and making a breakthrough look impossible. Embrace the person you are becoming
and always know that who you are becoming is always more valuable than who you
have been.
Please leave your thoughts below.
though letting go of your existing identity is a huge undertaking, it is
possible. People and companies do it every day. Your identity is from your
past. Holding on to the past is a guaranteed strategy for repeating the past
and making a breakthrough look impossible. Embrace the person you are becoming
and always know that who you are becoming is always more valuable than who you
have been.
Please leave your thoughts below.