Mistaken Identity
Do you ever catch a glimpse of your reflection in a mirror and wonder who that person is looking back at you? Do you still feel anger about some old situation? Your state of being can shift when you realize your patterns of thinking and behavior are not accidental. They are learned. As you mature and gain insight, it is up to you to continually evaluate how you think and act. Corrective steps are useful at any age. Here are some tips to help you take control of your thoughts and actions.
First, take note of what you think is true about yourself, your environment and other significant indicators influencing your sense of identity. To do this step determine what is important to you and why. Next, consider what about yourself you withhold from others. Determine what you lose by withholding information. If a secret gets out, what could you risk? Then consider what others say to you about your situation or circumstance. Their feedback will help you understand how they interpret what you say and do. Finally, take an inventory of your thinking and actions that seem a mystery to you. List situational behaviors, attitudes or actions that happen automatically. Completing these steps will give you a process for self-reflection. You may need several iterations to thoroughly gain understanding and insight about how you interact.
Your insights will help you identify beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that no longer produce useful results. Your new-found awareness will highlight opportunities to change and improve how you interact with others. No one enjoys being stuck. Use your awareness to change how you think and act. Uplift your thinking. Reset your life goals and sprint toward them. Lean-in!
Deb Dobbs
I am a communication consultant and entrepreneur.