Day: February 12, 2023

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Originality Mentality: Panacea to Identity Crisis

originality mentality

Originality mentality is the right answer to the identity question. It is the panacea to identity crisis. The truth about life is that each and every one of us has peculiarities. It might interest you to know that just as the fingerprints and hair strands are peculiar to us. We have potentials and abilities that are unique to us. Hence, no matter how identical a set of twins may look they still differ from each other. These peculiar endowments that are unique to them distinguish one from the other. There might be a striking resemblance between the two things but organically they differ from each other. This organic difference makes us differ from one another by reason our potential is originality. Originality is the quality of being completely new and different from anything that anyone has thought of before.

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. For one star differs from another in glory (1Corinthians 15: 41)

Originality is all about identifying your innate peculiarities. It can be leveraged to success when you consolidate these peculiarities. It also entails defining your identity and being true to who you are. The term originality is all about sticking to your guns. It is the inevitable end; the final destination of the journey of self-discovery is originality. That is to say that the journey to self-discovery culminates in originality the very moment one defines one’s identity. Your own unique way, style, or method of doing things that are only peculiar to you, is originality.

Originality Mentality Means Being Unique

In Summary, it means to be unique. It is being original in your chosen field. Originality mentality remains a critical option in solving the jigsaw puzzle of our identity. We must therefore consolidate our peculiarities, potentials, or abilities. It is these peculiarities that will form our identity. Hence, originality shapes your values, beliefs, and personality, as well as defines your identity.

I decided long ago
never to walk in anyone’s shadow.
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I lived as I believed.
No matter what they take from me.
They can’t take away my destiny.

These are the lyrics from Whitney Houston’s song – the greatest love of all. These lyrics to a very large extent truly capture the essence of the concept of originality mentality. The good side of originality is that it makes you stand out from the crowd. Originality is akin to carving a niche of your own.  It has a way of standing you out from others who may equally be exceptional in such a niche. The only difference then will be your style which is different from there’s.

Originality mentality has helped me a great deal in my adventure as a writer. Basically, I might write the same topic as others but my unique style of writing makes the difference. Hence my originality has paid off dearly as I have been able to impact and add value to my readers. There are testimonials to attest to that.

Originality Mentality Vs Copycat Mentality

Another important aspect of the originality mentality is that it is a panacea to the copycat mentality. This mentality is a very dangerous and worrisome trend among the majority of people. There are so many ‘want to bees’ that fantasize about how to become like one role model. This is awesome, but while fantasizing you can explore your own peculiarities. There are potentials and talents which are so unique to you from that of your role model. And this is what will make you stand out from such a person. The copycat mentality is akin to hiding in another man’s shadow. Consequently, hiding in another man’s shadow makes it impossible for you to define your identity.

The world is in dire need of novel and innovative ideas to solve its numerous problems. Obviously, the world would be a better place if you can unleash your talents and freely express your potential unhindered. So you must do everything possible to bring to bear those peculiar endowments that providence has bestowed on you. Try not to live another’s man dream, instead tailor your dreams according to those peculiar potentials of yours. Then, pursue them vigorously. Don’t live in another man’s world instead create your own world to your own taste, with your potential. That is the originality mentality.

Copycat Mentality Breeds Counterfeit

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation – Herman Melville

On the contrary, if you are still bedeviled by this copycat mentality you are a counterfeit. Hence, if you are hiding under someone’s shadow, then you are a counterfeit of such a person. When it is not original it will certainly be counterfeit. And counterfeit is a bane to success. So if you want to succeed imbibe the originality mentality. In addition, Originality boosts your self-esteem and enforces your dignity. Hence your dignity is under threat if you are still hiding in another man’s shadow.

No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else – P.T. Barnum.

Never do a thing just because others are doing it. Don’t join the bandwagon. Always have a reason for doing the things you do. And let originality be the motivation behind every of your action. Always dare to be different. Break the norm if need be. You must endeavor to create your own signature. Do everything to consolidate your peculiarities. It is your leverage to your success. That is the originality mentality, and it is a plus to success.

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The Identity Question

self-awareness

The identity question is a very crucial one when it comes to success, and fulfillment in life. It becomes a crisis when one’s personality is shrouded in uncertainty. And this personality crisis undermines success. It is a bane to success as it is one of the banana peels on the conquest lane that leads to greatness. An identity crisis is a serious threat to success that can lead to failure and unfulfillment in life. It refers to a state in which one experiences uncertainty about who he or she really is and their proper role in life.

An identity crisis is akin to identity confusion, a situation where one lives in the confusion of his or her character, goals, and or origins. An identity crisis arises when one is trapped between who he or she really is and who he or she wants to be. We must conquer the identity crisis. It is one of the conquests we must make in order to have a fulfilling and rewarding life.

A Typical Example

A young man as a teenager was always fantasizing to be like one of his role models. He did everything to conform to the identity of his role model. He changed the way he speaks, the way he dresses, his mannerisms, and his values to that of this public figure. Then one day, his father who had been observing him with much disdain called him and asked him who he was. The father further asked him, ‘’are you this personality that you want to be like?’’ The young man answered no. His father asked him again, “Who are you then”. The young man answered his father, “I am Tony, your son”. At this point the father looked straight into his son’s eyes and said to him, “if you are really my son, then be true to who you are. Be proud of your identity”.

This is a typical and isolated case of the majority who are plagued by identity crises. It is very common these days, especially among our youths. Nowadays, you see people perm their hair, grow dreadlocks, and sag their pants. They change their names and even their values because they want to be like a public figures. It is not bad, but do those lifestyles befit your personality? It becomes an identity crisis if it is not on par with your personality. Therefore, identity crisis arises from conflict or clash of these values or beliefs with our own personality.

Identity crisis precipitates due to our inability to define our own identity. The truth is that each and every one of us has peculiarities. These unique endowments are what distinguish us from one another. These peculiarities help define our values, beliefs, personality, and hence our identity. The good news is that like young Tony, you can overcome an identity crisis. However, you must come out from hiding in another man’s shadow. You must face the ‘mirror of reality’. The ‘mirror of reality’ shows you just the way you are. It exposes all the grey areas of your life. It helps you identify your strength of character, your potential, and your capabilities.

Exploring the Unfamiliar Path

Sometimes, in trying to define our identity we have to explore unfamiliar paths. Most of these paths lead to the distortion and disorientation of our belief and value system. They leave us more confused than we were trying to define our identity. Thus, defining your identity promotes success, while on the contrary identity crisis undermines success. Identity crisis in all its ramifications, social, psychological, and mental is very harmful and unhealthy to success. It creates a disconnection from the mainstream or the threshold of success. As I said earlier the identity question is crucial to success.

The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose – Richard R. Grant

The danger of an identity crisis is that in the middle of the confusion that ensued, there is no purpose. No one succeeds without being purposeful. It is the consistency of purpose that drives you to success. Hence, you must have a purpose for you to be successful in life. Purpose drives you along the conquest lane and gives you access to the realm of success. On the contrary, a lack of purpose in life is a product of an identity crisis. This results in low self-worth, low self-esteem, an inferiority complex, and so on, and these are detrimental to success.

Your identity and your success go hand in hand. Many people sacrifice their identities by not doing what they really want to do. And that’s why they’re not successful. – Lila Swell.

Lila Swell’s quote says it all. You can never succeed when you are not doing what you really want to do. That amounts to an identity crisis. It is inimical to success. It undermines success. Therefore, you must define your identity now, for you to be successful. You must answer the identity question if you want to succeed in life