The Best Me

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” ― Oscar Wilde

While I am not a big fan of impersonators, I have always appreciated the talent one uses to sound like another person. I cannot impersonate a specific person, nor can I imitate accents. In fact, all of my accents sound identical to the one before it. However, impersonating their voice and imitating them are two different things.  

Many people have role models. Some dress, talk, and act like them even to the point of reading the same books or eating the same breakfast. To some degree, this can be a good thing. Sometimes, it is not. 

Just because you follow the example of a successful businessperson, does not mean you will have the same results. The results may be better if you follow their example in some areas. However, is trying to succeed without being true to yourself you truly a success? 

I am a firm believer in being you. My goals and dreams are not dependent on what others are doing. They may have similar ideas, and I may be able to take some of the things that worked for them and apply them to my situation. Nonetheless, my background is not identical to their background. My thoughts and feelings are not always their thoughts and feelings. My values may be different from their values. Similar does not mean the same. There are always differences. 

We tend to do things how our instructors taught us. If I trust my teacher, why would I change? Maybe there is more than one way to accomplish the same thing. Maybe there is a more proficient way for me to accomplish the same goal. There always seems to be more ways to the same end. One path may be easier for you while another path is better for me. 

I believe we all have unique skills and talents. We should use the skills we have to fulfill whatever our purpose in life may be. We should refine those skills. We should practice those skills. We should even add to our skill set, if possible. "That is just who I am" should not be an excuse to fail or misbehave. 

Anyone who knows my youngest son and I know we both look and act incredibly similar. However, there are differences because we are not the same person. We do not need two of me walking on this planet. I need to be me, but I also need to be the best me that I can be. 

Imitating someone may be flattering to them but being the "best" you that you can be is what makes you special.