Who are you? Who do you want to become?


Lifes greatest mystery is human character and uniqueness. We craft individuality . Other animals cant. We share 98 percent of our genes with chimpanzees, yet the 2 percent variation makes all the difference.

Were not totally subject to our genes. In creating stories, ideas, music, science, and popular culture, in thinking and communicating, humans do surprising things that our genes wouldnt. [1]

Our destiny lies in becoming individuals creating and fulfilling our unique potential. We each evolve differently and unpredictably.

Individuality implies differentiation. Becoming different requires editing, subtraction, focus. We become dissimilar by focusing on our distinctive and authentic parts .

True, were not blank slates. Our genes determine our appearance and have a big say in many other matters. As we grow up, our parents and family influence how we behave, think, and think of ourselves . Our teachers , friends , priests, bosses, and mentors mold us. The ideas and norms of our society, and the groups with whom we hang out, strongly sway us.

Yet subtract all these influences and theres still something left: the precious and strange thing called our self , our unique identity and autonomy. However pronounced the pressures on us, we have our own personality. Nobody else on the planet is the same. In a big or small way, we are bound to influence the world, making it different than it would be without us.

We become individuals though subtraction . Less is more. We have the wonderful opportunity to let go of the bits of ourselves that are not authentic, not really us the parts imposed by background, parents, and environment. The authentic self is a small part of our total self, yet its the vital self. We all have special gifts, unique imaginations, our little bit of genius: the spark of life thats wholly ours.

When we focus our self, we give up doing what many other people do, thinking what others think. Is this a loss? Of quantity, yes; but not of quality. In quality, less is more. By narrowing our interests, we deepen and intensify them. By focusing on our best, unique attributes, we become more individual, more human . We focus our power, our singularity, and our ability to enjoy life profoundly and uniquely.

Developing individuality is a conscious process. It involves deciding who you are and who you are not; who you want to become and who you dont want to become. We become more distinctive individuals through deliberate decisions and actions, honing and increasing what is different and best about us.

[1] Using contraception, for example; whether right or wrong, it is opposed to our genes interests.




Living the 80. 20 Way. Work Less, Worry Less, Succeed More, Enjoy More
Living The 80/20 Way: Work Less, Worry Less, Succeed More, Enjoy More
ISBN: 1857883314
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 86
Authors: Richard Koch

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