The Identity Crisis

Imagine you are standing in front of the mirror. There is no one around you. Its just you and the mirror. As you see yourself, you see all of you completely. You see the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. Think about who you are, with complete honestly. As you see yourself, you see you and you know so intimately, the values, the beliefs, the desires, the behaviors, all of it. Who are you?

Now partner with another person. Think of him/her as your manager. Your manager has asked you to do a certain task that has an immediate deadline that requires you to work extra. He/She will talk to you about this task. As you respond to the conversation, think about how you behave and feel about all this. Then think about the identity you think your manager has formed about you. Write your identity as you think your manager has formed. Then ask your partner to share what he/she has written about your identity. What are the similarities. What are the differences? How do u feel about them?

Now partner with another person. Think of him/her as your subordinate. You are asking him/her to do a certain task that has an immediate deadline that requires him/her to work extra. You will talk to you about this task. As she/he respond to the conversation, think about how you behave and feel about all this. Then think about the identity you think your subordinate has formed about you. Write your identity as you think your subordinate has formed. Then ask your partner to share what he/she has written about your identity. What are the similarities. What are the differences? How do u feel about them?

Think of the last 3 interactions that you have had with your parents/spouse/siblings. Step out of your body and see the interactions happening as a third person. See yourself as you behave. Hear the words and tonality. See the body language, the hand movements, the facial expressions. As a third person, write about the identity of you as seen in these interactions.

Think of yourself again. Step out of your body, and look at yourself. Know that God sees you in your entirety, with all your thoughts, behaviors, values and beliefs. Think about your identity as God sees you. Write what you think.

We have three ways of looking at identity. First, how we see ourselves. Second, how others see us. And, third, how God sees us.

Read through all of the responses in this exercise. Highlight the similarities and differences.

Look through your values and beliefs and the identity statements that you have just seen. See if you can align your identity with your values and behavior. Write an identity statement that is your ideal identity. This may not be who you are right now, at least not completely, but this is the identity you'd like to have.

What are the limiting beliefs about yourself you need to change to get to the identity you aspire to have? What are the resources you need to change these behaviors. Remember, you have all the resources you need within you. Write down the specific action(s) you will take to make this happen. How will you know that you have made the change?

What are the values you need to change to get to the identity you aspire to have? What are the resources you need to change these behaviors. Remember, you have all the resources you need within you. Write down the specific action(s) you will take to make this happen. How will you know that you have made the change?

What are the behaviors you need to change to get to the identity you aspire to have? What are the resources you need to change these behaviors. Remember, you have all the resources you need within you. Write down the specific action(s) you will take to make this happen. How will you know that you have made the change?