Who Am I?
We cannot act in a manner inconsistent with who we are for very long.
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It’s a question we all ask ourselves. For some of us, it’s a question we’ve yet to really answer. Many of us will spend our entire lives trying to figure this out and answer this question.
Who Am I?
How we answer this question is fundamental. It serves as the foundation for defining our sense of identity and self-awareness.
Why is this important?
Understanding who you are helps in forming a clear and stable sense of the uniqueness of YOU. This clarity is important, as your identity and self-awareness shape your decisions, behaviors, and relationships.
We cannot act in a manner inconsistent with who we are for very long. Who we are on the inside eventually shows up, whether we like it or not, or no matter how hard we try to hide it. When we are aware of who we are, this leads to a life lived with consistency and integrity. We embrace our identity and live in alignment with our true values and beliefs, leading to a more fulfilling life.
Knowing who you are helps to align your life with your values, passions, and goals. It provides a sense of direction and purpose, guiding your choices and actions. At the heart of our identity are the values and beliefs that we hold dear. These are often shaped by our upbringing, culture, experiences, and personal reflections.
Our WHO serves as a compass, guiding our decisions and actions in life. When we ask "Who Am I?" we are really asking what principles and beliefs define us as individuals. A defined sense of identity brings clarity to your life. It helps you focus on what truly matters, avoiding distractions that don’t align with your core values and goals.
A well-defined identity also contributes to our emotional stability and resilience. It helps in managing life’s challenges with a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. Our past experiences, both positive and negative, contribute significantly to our identity. They shape our perspectives, influence our choices, and teach us lessons that become integral to who we are. Reflecting on these experiences helps us understand the journey that has molded and made us into the person we are.
When life throws challenges our way, a strong sense of identity coupled with self-awareness can provide the resilience needed to navigate these difficulties. We have a clearer understanding of what matters to us, where our strengths lie, and how we can adapt, which can help us weather storms with grace.
Understanding our identity and being self-aware significantly influence the choices we make. Whether it’s choosing a career, building relationships, or making life-altering decisions, having a clear sense of who we are ensures that our choices are aligned with our true selves. It allows for more genuine connections, as we are more likely to attract and build relationships with people who resonate with our true selves.
Answering the "Who Am I?" question encourages authenticity. Knowing who we are on the inside, and being comfortable with that, allows us to live in a way that is true to ourselves rather than conforming to external expectations. This authenticity fosters deeper connections with others.
Sometimes, there can be a gap between how we perceive ourselves and how we actually are. Self-awareness helps bridge this gap by encouraging honest self-reflection. It pushes us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and, in doing so, promotes authenticity and integrity.
Answering the "Who Am I?" question is also essential for personal growth, something Black Belt Leaders focus on daily. As we reflect on this question, we gain a deeper perspective not only of who we are, but who we can become as we continue to learn, grow, and improve.
A strong sense of self-awareness allows for adaptability. As we learn, grow, and improve, our identity may be altered. Our sense of what we are capable of saying, doing, becoming, or accomplishing expands as we continually flesh out the answer to this question.
Being aware our identity is subject to change helps us remain true to ourselves while embracing new aspects of who we are becoming. This continuous process of self-discovery (challenging the status quo) ensures that we are not stagnant but ever-evolving (becoming a better version of ourselves) with time.
Remember what Ray Kroc said, “As long as you’re green, you’re growing. Once you’re ripe, you start to rot.” Continually returning to the “Who Am I” question keeps us in the Green Zone, allowing us to evaluate what’s next in our personal growth journey.
We learn to see ourselves as valuable, and worthy of being valued.
But what about the people around us?
They are asking the same question of themselves. They are also asking the exact same question of those around them, but no one is taking the time to listen, observe, and answer. We are so obsessed with who we are, we forget that we are human beings, put on this earth to BE in a relationship with other people.
To put it another way…
In a self-obsessed world that is singularly focused on themselves, far too many people walk through life as faceless, nameless mannequins.
What are they asking?
Who am I?
Do you know me?
Do you hear me?
Do you see me?
Do you value me?
Do you even know that I exist?
Do I matter to you?
That’s the BIG question, isn’t it? Leadership is others-focused. It is about encouraging, inspiring, and empowering others. But when we become so engrossed in ourselves that we forget there are people around us crying out to be seen, heard, and valued we miss the opportunity to be in a relationship with other people who NEED us.
Author, Jon Gordon, says, “Leadership is not just about what you can do, but what you can inspire, encourage, and empower others to do.” That only happens when we go beyond just answering the “Who Am I” question, but helping others answer the question themselves.
Sometimes, we have to lend people a vision of the potential we see in them before they see it for themselves. That requires we help them answer the “Who Am I” question.
How many nameless, faceless mannequins do we walk past daily, and we’re not even aware they are in our presence? If we could pause for a moment, and listen to what they are longing to say to someone who would simply acknowledge their presence:
I am a human, just like you.
I have talents and abilities.
I have hopes and dreams.
I have value and worth.
I have thoughts and ideas.
I have something to say.
I have something to contribute.
Do I matter to you?
Will you take the time to get to know me?
Because when you get to know me, you will see the value and potential in me.
You can see how I can contribute and how you can help me to succeed.
Socrates famously said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” But if that’s all you do, it’s not enough. We need to answer the question, “Who Am I?” But we also need to hear the cry of the nameless, faceless mannequins going through lives overlooked, ignored, or forgotten who are asking:
Who am I?
Do you know me?
Do you hear me?
Do you see me?
Do you value me?
Do you even know that I exist?
Do I matter to you?
Do I matter to you?
As Black Belt Leaders, who know who we are, we need to help others answer that question too. We need to help them see their priceless value, their tremendous worth, and their unlimited potential.
We need to tell them, “That’s WHO You Are.”