Reading through the “About” page from the website of the article I posted yesterday, Vera pointed out we often identify ourselves with status, career and relationships to describe who we are when we first meet a new person.
I’ve often thought about this too. When we choose these ways to identify ourselves, people judge and compare the details we’ve given to see how we fit into the picture with others or themselves, looking for something in common to talk about. In reality though, it gives them no clue at all about who we are.
For example, someone may have a very fancy pants job title and yet, be a completely different person to someone with a similar job title. The wife or brother of a dignitary might be a very different person to another wife or brother of a dignitary. One millionaire is not the same as the next millionaire. The same with homeless people, as I have discovered in my street roving. Each are very different people.
And, when you first meet someone, particularly when networking or at a party, you can feel that dull vibration. Their eyes drift off to the side as they tell you their job and their situation. It’s so shallow, so not who they are. It almost always takes a bit more prodding to find what they are passionate about so that a genuine smile will appear and the conversation can be drawn out to more than a few sentences.
How can we change the way we introduce ourselves to others so they truly get to know who we are? Are you brave enough to let them know who you are? Can you see the benefits of getting the crucial details out up front? You might find that someone from a very different background to you actually has more in common with you than your own contemporaries.
This could be a new way to reduce loneliness in the world!
A New Introduction
Wouldn’t it be fun to run a networking event or a party and tell everyone invited they can talk about themselves but not mention their job title or relationships? How would you introduce yourself?
It’s an interesting thought.
Here’s how I might do mine…
I would call myself an explorer as I tend to ask a lot of questions. I love learning about new, leading edge concepts and discoveries, contemplating and making sense of it for myself, then offering it to others if they are interested.
I am very responsive to music and can get completely carried away by my senses, no longer caring if anyone thinks I am a nutter.
I enjoy fully expressing myself – particularly in terms of dance and song – and get a kick out of giving and helping. I also enjoy lateral thinking and opening other minds to possibilities they might not have thought of previously. Break the patterns! That’s fun to me.
Seeing the big picture is also fun. When I talk with someone who is head-down-bum-up struggling to solve the details, by lifting them up so they can see the big picture, it often opens up a whole new set of alternative solutions or even whether it’s important to solve at all. The buzz they get out of that discovery is really satisfying to me.
I’m learning how it is a gift for others to help me and I know I’ve previously been a big stick in the mud about allowing them to do so. I have a highly intelligent mind – both intellectual and emotional intelligence – which has been a major challenge to turn off in order to listen to what my heart really wants, both personally and professionally. I now find it ironic that, despite being intelligent, I am a blonde telling people to think less and feel more.
I’ve been on a magnificent journey of personal development which has made me younger, reduced stress to almost none, altered the way I approach life, helped me to understand human behaviour and the cosmos so much better. I’ve been told that the material I’ve learnt in the last few years has been more than most will learn in a lifetime.
Putting all that incredible material into words that others can follow is what’s on my mind right now and, with some persistence, I know I’m going to do a great job of it.
My self employed work has been extremely fulfilling though I am really interested in adding a project working in a highly skilled team now. I can’t put my finger on what area of work it will be but, I trust it will become apparent shortly and am looking forward to being a part of a greater cause. That’s going to be really fulfilling and perfect for the next step on my journey.
So there’s mine. What about you? How would you introduce yourself?
I don’t allow comments on this site now as there is a spam program which automatically fills the comments section with rubbish links every time I open it so, post your comments on the Facebook page or the Google + page.
I look forward to reading yours. 🙂
Article: Find your Authentic Self
Service: Life Coaching with Kitegirl Annabelle Drumm as your Personal Development Coach.
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