I once heard of a couple of lady entrepreneurs who went into business 'reinventing' their clients. After a short interview, they'd produce two words describing what they thought the client should become: a "bookish cowboy," a "sexy recluse," etc. I thought this was great, and set about finding my own two-word identity. For now I'm a "rock 'n' roll nerd," but I won't always be. I think I'm looking at "kick-boxer kitten" or "gypsy intellectual" somewhere down the line.



There's nothing dishonest about it. Your identity is your exclusive property, and you can do what you want with it. It's fun, it 'keeps 'em guessing' and it's an effective way to grow into your self. And growth is important.

Too often we become who we are early and get stuck there. It takes guts to change your outlook, your style or your sense of self, more guts than many people give themselves credit for. Self-discovery, however, is worth the risk. You may find something out about you that's really cool, or you can simply create it. The power is in you to do that.

Growth and change are not just about getting to know your self, though that's the primary goal. Stagnancy is easily taken for granted. When your boss, friends, family or lover know exactly what to expect from you they are less likely to be stimulated by your company, more likely to fall into routine with you. At the risk of sounding harsh, you can bore them, and they can bore you in return. While routine is beneficial to a degree, stagnancy never is.

Have fun choosing the new you. Don't take yourself too seriously, and feel free to go back to your most naïve fantasies. Where else but within can you become a stripper, a scientist, an astronaut or pirate without training or social stigma? Only you have to know you're a "benevolent mobster" or a "honky-tonk princess." Others may notice a change in you, a new confidence or a secret pleasure, but they won't quite be able to pin it down. Keep growing, keep changing, and keep 'em guessing. There is nothing better than being the change, and setting the example for the rest of the world. Listen to your heart, and not the next door neighbor. After all, if you wanted to learn to ride a bike, wouldn't it make sense to ask Lance Armstrong?

Copyright (c) 2008 Brooke Consulting Co.