Who Do I Want To Be? 

How many of us have actually put some time and thought into considering how we want to come across to others, i.e. the kind of person I want to be and what is truly important to me? How often do we intentionally connect our intentions and behaviors with our priorities and values?

Recently I was looking for some training activities and came across an exercise that encouraged participants to develop two lists – one depicting what they always want to be and one depicting what they never want to be. For example, I always want to be open-minded, creative…I never want to be unfair, conceited. They recommend keeping the list to seven or fewer characteristics and you can expand the exercise by substituting the word “do” for “be.”

We invite you to take a moment and reflect upon how you wish to be perceived by others. As human beings, our interactions with different individuals shape our relationships and influence our personal and professional endeavors. It is crucial to consider the impressions we leave upon others.

When we think about how we want to come across to others, it involves self-awareness and a deep understanding of our values, beliefs, and intentions. By taking the initiative to reflect on this aspect, we can align our actions, words, and behaviors accordingly.

Why does this matter, you may ask? The way we present ourselves greatly impacts the dynamics of our relationships, whether in the workplace, social circles, or even within our families. Being intentional in our desired perception can foster positive connections and create an environment that supports growth and collaboration.

Reflecting on how we want to be perceived also prompts us to consider our strengths and areas for growth. It encourages personal growth and provides opportunities to develop essential skills such as effective communication, empathy, and understanding. Furthermore, it allows us to identify blind spots, areas where we may unknowingly fall short, and enables us to work towards becoming a better version of ourselves.

At the heart of this reflection lies the power to cultivate a positive learning environment. By actively considering how we want to come across to others, we can set a positive example for those around us, inspire others to reflect on their own actions, and together, create a culture of growth and support.

We encourage each of you to take a moment to ponder and document how you want to be perceived by others. Consider sharing your ideas/list with someone who can provide you with insights into ways you are embodying your preferred behaviors and ways in which you may be sending a different message.

Submitted by,

Rasheeda Coston, Director of Coaching rascos@pakeys.org   

Barb Willier, Coaching Coordinator, barwil@pakeys.org 

The Pennsylvania Key   

A portion of the content in this article was generated with the assistance of AI technology. While the AI system has contributed to the writing process, the final output has been reviewed and edited by human editors to ensure accuracy and quality.