Will The Real You Please Stand Up

What fills you up?

What nourishes you?

What makes your heart sing?

These are questions we often don't ask ourselves.  With respect to self-improvement, these questions often get ignored.  So many of us jump on the self-improvement bandwagon with little thought about what we really want and what is important to us.  Knowing what is truly meaningful starts with knowing who you truly are.  So who are you? Let's start with what you know: You were born in a certain place on an exact date and time.  You have a gender, ethnicity and unique genetic makeup. You were given a name as a means of identification. You might have a "personal brand" built around your family, environment and circumstances.  You probably have a strong identity associated with your career, life roles and responsibilities.  But who are you, really?  What are your innate strengths, weaknesses, talents, and abilities?  What is your temperament?  What are your preferences?  What kinds of environments do you thrive in?  What are your must haves? What makes you tick? How do you operate in the world?  What is the essence of you?  What would you do if you had full permission to just be you?

Searching for your true self can get a little tricky.  Many times, we create tastes and preferences to avoid something that is hard to be with.  We might believe that we prefer independence because we are afraid to collaborate.  We might make up that we are not a risk taker because we fear how others might view our choices.  So asking and answering the question, "who are you really?" is a bold and radical move. 

Read through the list below.  What terms resonate with you?  Keep in mind; this isn't a wish list, but a few things that might represent your true self.

Fun

Partnership

Service

Contribution

Excellence

Recognition

Harmony

Accomplishment

Orderliness

Honesty

Adventure

Tradition

Growth

Collaboration

Personal Power

Connectedness

Spirituality

Integrity

Creativity

Independence

Nurturing

Joy

Beauty

Risk Taking

Peace

Elegance

Trust

Where did you see yourself on the list? 

Here is the tie-in to self improvement:  There can only be one master; it's either going to be your way or the way it "should" be done.  The one-size-fits-all approach espoused by many self-improvement programs is a good example of a "should".  That said, there are always non-negotiables when it comes to certain outcomes. In order to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you expend (or visa versa) but how could you develop a signature method for reaching this goal?  In other words, what would make this goal really attractive and compelling for you?  How can quitting smoking, losing weight or becoming spiritually connected revolve around a plan that considers your values? If fun, independence and adventure resonate with you, how could these values be honored in a self- improvement plan?   

Thoughtful reflection:  Are my goals serving me or am I serving them?

Honor who you are and watch your life soar.

Comments

[Cindy]

I relate most with honesty. I can't take care of my family and friends if I am not true to myself.

Thank you for participating in Fitness for Mom's Carnival!

[Evan]

For me my core is about authenticity.

What nourishes me is authentic contact with others - even if it is about difficult and painful stuff. Also food that suits my body etc. of course.

But to choose one: for me it's authenticity.