Door 5: Identity

"Who am I?", "What are my limits?", "What is my reason for being?"... If, like me, you have asked yourself these questions one day, know that they are linked to the fifth logical level of change, namely Identity. In neuro-linguistic programming, this is defined as being the "system that organizes our beliefs and values, as well as the image we have of ourselves". In fact, identity is the fundamental level of the expression of one's "mission", as well as the source of Self-Esteem.

To evoke the notion of "mission", some will speak of vocation, purpose, life intention, business project... Many entrepreneurs and managers have understood the importance of clearly defining their values, mission and vision. This is to clarify the direction you want to take, the objectives you want to achieve, as well as the actions you want to implement to achieve them.

These actions will be all the more relevant if they are consistent with the person you are, deep down inside yourself. Hence the interest in grasping its essence.

Passion and Connection

In 2013, I learned a fun technique to implement, to set out to discover one's "mission".

This step first involves identifying significant events in your life, in which you were passionate, felt a lot of pleasure or experienced a feeling of fullness.

When I had experimented with this technique myself, I remembered the same sensations on the ice, when I played hockey with my good friends Hugo and Ronan. I also think of piano rehearsals in preparation for a concert with my music group.

Next, it's about identifying what you value in each of these selected events. Personally, the values I remembered when recalling these activities included harmony, pleasure, self-improvement, synergy, perseverance, accomplishment, and success.

Finally, you must identify important people, fictional or real, who have marked your life, as well as their values. In my case, at the time: a superhero (Zorro), a great friend (Yann) and a charismatic brother (Thomas). Their values? Authenticity, generosity, passion, determination, excellence, kindness and commitment.

Projection

At this stage, imagine yourself sitting comfortably in a movie theater, in front of a large white screen. Now project the images or memories that come to mind when you think of the values you identified in the previous step. Add to this a favorite piece of music and watch it. You are at the heart of your mission.

I remember imagining myself smiling on the screen, surrounded by people who were sharing their current or past challenges with me. I was listening. I saw, I felt, I heard the best in them and I perceived the possibilities that were presented to them. I helped them find the resources to achieve their personal and professional goals. I led them to change and evolve through the doors that materialized the potential challenges. I simply revealed to them the excellence that they carried within them.

I had just discovered the mission that continues to drive me to this day.

Teleportation

In the final step of this technique, you teleport yourself Star Trek-style into present and future events. Compare your current life with the mission you revealed in the previous step. Is it consistent? Are there any adjustments needed? What realizations have you made? Five minutes before you leave, what do you wish you could say?

For my part, I had wanted to be at peace with myself, telling myself that I had lived the life I wanted to live. Honest with myself, I was able to help, train and inspire thousands of people, to the height of my talent.

You probably have a clearer picture now of who you are and what you really want to accomplish in your life. Up until now, you are the most important element. However, you will need to discover something even greater to complete your journey on the path to change. Will you be able to find the meaning hidden behind the last door?

This is the challenge you will have to take up in my next column.