A man was hurrying back to his office after been delayed at a lunch meeting. As he moved quickly along the mall, his eyes were directed to another man who was window shopping outside a major department store. For a moment, he was distracted because the man seemed so familiar.
That afternoon he described his experience to a colleague. “There was something so striking about this person, but I couldn’t figure out what is was. And then it occurred to me. They say that everyone in the world has an exact double. This guy was my exact double.”
The man’s colleague was astounded. “What do you mean exact double?” he exclaimed.
The man replied, “He looked exactly like me. He was dressed differently but apart from that, we were the same in every way.”
“That’s amazing,” his colleague replied. “Did you go up to him and ask him who he was and where he was from?”
“You know I didn’t,” the man said. “I just didn’t like the look of him!”
In humor, we often find truth. That is never more evident at this time of year when the “New Year’s Resolution” is on many people’s minds. Obviously, I am fully supportive of self-improvement, but not when that quest is motivated by the feeling that we are inadequate as we are, that we are not enough, that one more accomplishment will make us more worthy human beings.
My partner, Cheryl, loves to say that we are all perfectly imperfect. It is that thought I encourage you to reflect upon as you consider your New Year’s resolutions. Set aside the images in the media of the perfect body, the perfect family, the perfect partner, or the perfect job. Let go of comparisons between where others are in their careers and where you are.
Focus instead on all that is valuable about you. What friend, cause, or colleague benefited from your assistance, kindness, compassion? To whom did you give encouragement, listen, provide support, let know how valuable they are? How did you bring and add value to your organization? This is not an exercise in pumping up your ego; it is about realizing how every positive action makes the world a better place. Take credit for your contribution.
Enter this New Year with the understanding that there is truly no one “exactly like you.” You are a combination of the natural gifts with which you were born, the knowledge you have acquired, and the skills you have developed. You have a personality that has evolved and an intellect that is growing and gaining wisdom every day. You may be perfectly imperfect, but you are also, unquestionably, a unique and miraculous member of the human family.
Accepting and building upon that reality is the most important New Year’s resolution you can ever make!
David McNally, CPAE, is the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of TransForm Corporation (http://www.transformcorp.com). Elected to the Speakers Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association (NSA), McNally is the author of the bestselling books, “Even Eagles Need a Push—Learning to Soar in a Changing World,” “The Eagle’s Secret—Success Strategies for Thriving at Work and in Life,” and “The Push—Unleashing the Power of Encouragement.” His co-authored book, “Be Your OWN Brand,” is used by many business schools to address the importance of building a strong personal brand. McNally’s books have been translated into 12 different languages and developed into corporate training programs that have been released in more than 20 countries. TransForm works with organizations to develop purposeful leaders who build inspired organizations and iconic brands. Clients include Ameriprise, Areva, Conway, Delta Airlines, Pulte Homes, and Thrivent. For more information, visit www.davidmcnally.com or e-mail info@transformcorp.com.
