Over the past year or so, I have given a lot of thought to
the question of how the general public – the people who know of me, but don’t actually know me – perceives me.
Much of people’s perception has been shaped by my blog and
various print and audio media. Because of the positive nature of much of what I
talk about, I started wondering if I was in danger of being seen as one of
those Smiley Happy Gurus who don’t actually seem to live in the real world.
When I started this blog, I made a commitment that
I would make bring more of the full range of who I am to
the picture, not just the pieces that are dripping with sunshine.
Why do I think that is important? Two reasons, one professional,
and one personal.
Professional
Professionally, I think it’s a disservice to ladle up bowl
after bowl of dreams without acknowledging that it’s not all milk and honey
along the way. I often talk about what I call The Magic Carpet Myth, where we
put people whose success we admire up on a pedestal, somehow believing that
they got there on a magic carpet ride with no potholes or detours on the
journey there. That in turn lets us perceive them as different than us.
If I’m going to be a role model, I want to at least be one
that people can relate to. I want people to watch my journey and be inspired by
what I talk about, but I also want them to come away with a feeling of, “Well,
if he can do this, maybe I can too.”
Personal
So much of what I talk about boils down to authenticity.
Both meaning and passion as I describe them are very personal things. They come
from recognizing who we are and aligning ourselves with that. Being the Smiley
Happy Guru doesn’t feel authentic to me, and I’m loath to create a role for
myself that traps me into pretending to be who I’m not.
That role would be fine if I happened to be ideal, but I’m
not. I am, as I described it when talking to a friend about all of this,
“fabulous, with flaws.”
Fabulous
On the one hand, what you see here is accurate and
authentic. I am someone who cares deeply about people and about making the
world a better place. I get excited at seeing people discover
fun, meaningful, lives. I’m creative and curious. I smile and laugh a lot, and
can’t resist cracking jokes. Sometimes they’re even funny. I’m passionate and
excited about life. I’m compassionate and empathetic.
I have been able to
accomplish some very cool things so far with my Passion Catalyst work, and have
had the pleasure of watching countless lives change for the better as a result
of what I do. I’ve taken my own path and created something new that has a very
real positive impact on the world.
Flaws
On the other hand, being human, I’ve got my share of foibles
and flaws. I can be overly self-critical, talking to myself in ways I would
never dream of talking to someone else (or letting someone else talk to me). I’m
a recovering perfectionist (who has more relapses than I would like to). At the
same time, while I would like to see my struggle with entropy and disarray as the sign of creative genius, I suspect it’s really just an
indication that lasting organization isn’t my forte. I swear more than I need
to. I can be opinionated and too intense.
Just like in life, I don’t think I need to dwell on the flaws
here. The fabulous side of the equation is much more fun to talk about, and
what you focus on grows. At the same time – just like in life – it’s in nobody’s
best interest to pretend they don’t exist.
Fabulous with flaws. That’s me. And unless you are somehow
extraordinarily different than anyone I’ve ever met, that’s probably you too.
Being a M.A.P. Maker – crafting a life of meaning,
abundance, and passion – isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about never
feeling fears or doubts. It’s not about never allowing yourself to fall or
fail. It’s about being real. It’s about living into who you want to become, allowing
the fabulous to take the lead and recognizing that the flaws are simply part of
the landscape to be navigated.
Check out The Occupational Adventure Guide
Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst TM
Hello :-)
I like "fabulous with flaws". A lot.
I was blogging about writing with authenticity last month and I wish I'd had this piece - and this definition - to refer to then. It would have fitted perfectly.
I'm really enjoying your blog. New to your work - and got pointed here by Troy.
I find the bits of grit much more palatable to read than some of the super happy stuff out there. Keep up the good work!
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna Young | October 19, 2007 at 01:46 AM