Who Defines You?

When I was growing up, I did well in school. My parents expected me to work hard and get good grades, so I did. I saw myself as the kind of person who did well in school, so my behaviors reflected that self-perception, and I got good grades.

I knew plenty of people whose parents did not expect much of them, so they did not expect much of themselves. They did not do well in school.

I also knew plenty of people whose parents did not expect much of them, yet they expected something of themselves. They saw themselves as people who did well in school, so like me, their behaviors reflected that self-perception, and they did well in school.

This self-perception—being the kind of person who…—is the key to defining who you are.

Too many people let others define them. Do not fall into that trap.

You define you.

You have to believe that. Once you believe that, you can act on it.

I am the kind of person who… Adopting this mindset gives us a place to start defining who we are, on our own terms.

I am the kind of person who…

What kind of person are you?