There is Only One You

Don't be "That Guy", Instead by "The Guy"

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I received an email invitation to apply for an all-expenses trip to Las Vegas to hear from a seasoned sales veteran who was willing to teach me his “secret sauce” so I could sell (and make more money), just like him.  Around the same time, I got a LinkedIn message with a similar pitch, inviting me to learn how to experience the success they claim they are getting.

I get about one or two of these offers a week, each offering to put me with the Guru, who was willing, for a fee, to teach me to do what he or she does.  I’m sure you too are getting your fair share of pitches, offers, and solicitations.

Of course, we all want to learn from successful people.  We want to follow those who are farther along their success journey than we are so we can glean from their experience, wisdom, and insights, accelerating us forward toward our goals, dreams, and ambitions.

But there’s a problem with that.

There is only one “Them”, and there is only one “You.”

You can’t be Them, no matter how hard you try.

Think about what that individual is asking you to do…

Come and hear “The Guy.”  He’ll share his rags-to-riches story, his tragedy-to-triumph tale, and then he will teach you how to become “The Guy.” 

He will teach you how to LOOK like “The Guy.”

He will teach you how to SOUND like “The Guy.”

He will teach you how to ACT like “The Guy.”

He will teach you how to SPEND like “The Guy.”

He will teach you how to BRAND yourself like “The Guy.”

The problem is obvious, but often overlooked.

You’re not “The Guy.”

There was only ONE Mark Twain.  There was only ONE Leonardo Di Vinci.  There was only ONE Thomas Edison.  There was only ONE Albert Einstein.

There is only ONE You.

So, why are you trying to be “The Guy” or “The Gal” when that’s not who you are? 

I’ve been privileged to have Dr. John Maxwell, Chris Robinson, and Mark Cole as Mentors in my life for the past several years.  To have the opportunity to sit at their feet and learn from them (as well as other great men and women) has been invaluable to my personal and professional growth.  I am privileged to add their collective wisdom to my own.

But that’s where it stops. 

I can try all I want to be John Maxwell, Mark Cole, or Chris Robinson and it is NOT going to happen.  Why?  I’m not John Maxwell.  I’m not Mark Cole.  I’m not Chris Robinson.  I’m John Terry – The Black Belt Leader.  That’s who I am.   Try as I might, I can’t become someone who I am not.

Neither can you.   

Why should I be wasting my time, energy, and talent trying to be a clone of someone else rather than focusing on becoming daily the BEST version of me that I can be? 

Why should you?

Yes, I can learn from them, glean insights from their teachings, and observe how they live their lives and operate their businesses. I can apply similar principles and processes to my own life and practice, but I can’t become John, Chris, or Mark.

You cannot become the best version of someone other than yourself.

This is a Potential Principle.

That’s not to say that you don’t take on some of the characteristics of your mentors. I believe it was Les Brown who said that you become the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with. Their habits, beliefs, thoughts, and their view of the world often shape your habits, beliefs, thoughts, and your view of the world. So we do take on some of the characteristics of those we are closest to.

But we blend those characteristics with the essence of who we are. They may mold and shape us, but they don’t transform us into another person.  We remain uniquely who we are.

We add the collective wisdom, insights, and life experience of those who are closest to us to our own.  This is how we learn, grow, stretch, expand, and mature both personally and professionally to become the BEST version of ourselves and build on that each day.

We may share similar values, beliefs, and convictions.  We may share similar work habits. But how we live these things out is as diverse as we are as a human species.

So, maybe, just maybe, we need to stop trying to be a clone of “The Guy” or “The Gal” and focus our attention on becoming the very best version of YOU that we can become, and work on improving that every single day.  

There is ONLY one you, and that’s who you are.

You need to become “The Guy” or “The Gal,” because that’s who you are.

How do you do that?

First, you find your unique voice. I’m known as “The Black Belt Leader.”  That is my voice.  I help people discover, develop, and deploy their own unique Black Belt Leader Within.  It’s my passion, my calling, my purpose. It’s my WHY.

You’ve got to find your own unique voice. 

In Chapter 3 of my book, Black Belt Secrets of Success, I pose a series of questions to help you find and hone your voice.

•      What do you like to do that fulfills you?

•      What do you like to do that energizes you?

•      What excites you when you get out of bed each morning?

•      What motivates or drives you?

•      What are you passionate about?

•      What do you dream about doing or becoming?

Secondly, once you find your voice, you begin to speak with your voice.  You’ll hone this voice over time as you continue to learn, grow, and mature.   You’re giving your WHY a voice so it can be heard and influence and shape the lives of others.  Your voice is heard in what you write, record, speak, and do.

Thirdly, you find your persona. This is your face, your presence, and your brand to the world around you.  It is how you show up, add value, motivate, inspire, and challenge others.  Dr. John Maxwell is known for leadership.  Chris Robinson is known for entrepreneurship. Dan Hardy is known for success. Russell Brunson is known for Clickfunnels.  I am known for helping people MASTER their lives.

I think you get the idea.

Lastly, once you find your persona, you live it out.  Your persona shows up in the way you live your life before others.  It’s not only what you say, but what you do, how you show up, and how you lead and serve others.  Your persona is how you show up at home, at work, and in your community. It also shows up in your newsletter, podcast, website, social media posts, and other content or resources you create.

Stop trying to be a clone of “That Guy” or “That Gal.”   You’re not them and they aren’t you.

Find your own voice, then speak it with authority.  Find your own persona, then live it out intentionally.

One Voice – Your Voice

One Persona – Your Persona

When you show up authentically as the BEST version of You, you’re tapping into your full potential.   This is what successful people do.

There is only one You.

Be that person…and no one else.