Being Your Self: Behavioral Leadership

Being Your Self: Behavioral Leadership

Viewpoint by Andrew Thorn, PhD., WCW Columnist

I saw an advertisement yesterday with a picture of a beautiful woman and a caption that read, "Become Your Best". Naturally, this message caught my attention so I spent a few moments discovering the purpose of the ad.

What I found, surprised me. The advertisement was actually about elective cosmetic surgery and the message was that the use of these services would actually help a person to become a better person. This message seems so superficial and I had a hard time believing that anybody would fall for it.

Do we really believe that the cosmetic enhancement of our exterior appearance will actually help us be a better person?

I hope not.

Finding the Meaning

I have known many successful people who, despite their successes, find themselves wondering if their success is really all there is to life. Some, in their search for something more have spent their money on fast cars, beautiful boats and elegant homes. Others have decided to reach for youth by surgically enhancing their outward appearance. Only a few look inward, and begin to focus their energy on discovering what really brings meaning to their life.

Those who look inward appear vibrant and full of energy. They are the ones who are living on purpose. They are the ones who are becoming a better person. Those who look outward, believing that they can somehow buy happiness or mold youth back into their physical appearance, continue to feel worn out and run down.

We are naturally filled with a desire to succeed. This desire, generally makes it difficult for many of us to be satisfied. Instead of appreciating what we have, we are constantly reaching for something more. I understand this perspective and accept it is as something good. I am not troubled by the fact that we are reaching, but I am troubled by what we are reaching for. Too often, it is for things that bring little or no value. If we really want to feel good, then we must reach for things that bring meaning into our life.

Be Like Yourself

The most important discovery an individual can make is that he or she possesses unique talents. When we focus our existence on developing those talents and sharing them with others our search for meaning becomes valid. Any other path will lead us into the fatigue felt by selfish pursuits.

What are your unique talents?

What are you doing to develop them?

Who are you sharing them with?

The best you is within you. It cannot be unleashed by superficial enhancements. If we really want to become our best, then we must be willing to invest in our own development.

For Further Information

Dr. Andrew Thorn provides behavioral based leadership strategies to individuals who are seeking to bring their personal and professional responsibilities into full harmony. His clients achieve more, become more and experience balanced growth for their own benefit, and for the benefit of the people they lead.

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