The Many Versions of You
Or how you are creating and expanding your multi-verse everyday, with every interaction.
There are thousands of you out in the world right now. Maybe millions. And each of these versions of you are unique, separate, and often unrecognizable to each other.
But you are not you. Not even close. No one sees you. They see someone else.
They experience you.
This includes your family, your best friend from 1st grade, your favorite teacher, and the guy at the liquor store that sells you booze.
Each interaction you have with another person creates a different version of yourself that exists in their mind and thus in the world. Each individual carries a unique perception of who you are, shaped by your words, actions, and the quality of your interaction.
These perceptions, in essence, form alternate realities or "versions" of you—each one distinct and varied.
Positive interactions create "nice" versions of you. And this ‘nice’ version only exist in their minds. Treat someone politely, or justly, and you will create a version of you that is kind and fair. Give someone positive advice that works out and you’ve created a benevolent and wise version of yourself.
Each person creates ‘you’ through these interactions. Or they watch you interacting with others and create a version of you from their observations.
They create a reality of you.
Have a bad day? Act like an asshole to someone? And an asshole version of you is created and roams the earth forever. And that person, that knows you as an asshole, will introduce you around. As an asshole.
All these versions of you are out in the world. They are meeting people. Talking to people. As an asshole. Or a ‘nice’ guy. Or that guy that cut me off in traffic.
You may view these versions as wrong or distorted. But they are the truth. They are a reflection of your actions as perceived by another. It’s this perception that creates a another you.
Some may have had more interactions with you, so this version of you has more depth. Maybe it’s closer to how you view yourself. And maybe it’s why people don’t always treat you as you expect. They are dealing with different versions of you. The positive you is communicated with openly. The negative you is ignored, or yelled at, or told to come back when you are ready to listen.
When the other you is here.
Some versions of you are simple. They are based on a single interaction. Maybe this is a genius version. Or an idiot version. Either way its another version of you.
Both are out there. Both are busy. And both are truthful.
Oh, and one last point: the version of yourself you carry around in your own head, is no more ‘real’ than the perception of you created by others. Both are creations of a mind based upon experiences.
Think About It…
You may not have control over each version of yourself because you cannot control someone else’s perceptions. You aren’t creating you. They are creating you.
But you do have control over your behavior in each interaction. You are creating your actions. You are crafting your words. You are directing your responses.
Let others craft you. You can be calm, cool, and collected.
Craft that.
Do it…
Watch it: Missed this one last week. Only Murders in the Building. My wife and I watch this together. She usually shies away from my ‘heads-being-chopped-off’ fare. Season 3 sucked. But this season, Season 4, has started off strong.
Read it: Tomorrow’s version of Brain-Slap will be focused on business development. It will address the business I’m building in September. It’ll include a road map, goals, tools I’m using or learning, and a first look at the product concept. Feel free to give me any feedback.
Also, The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant. All of their work is great but some are long and comprehensive and take a full commitment. This one has the same depth but not the length. Enjoy.
Quote it:
Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of your own ignorance. - Will Durant
Listen: In my never-ending quest for great covers, I ran across this YouTube channel; Playing for Change.
Love this -
If you want to check out some great reading list and see which books have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained me, check out my book shop here. The lists grow monthly and I don’t recommend any books I haven’t personally read. Or use my book recommendation engine and specific author chatbots. Check it out. It’s fun.