Is That Me Really Me?

I don't remember the source, but I do remember that we each have three me's:

1. The 'me' that we think we are
2. The 'me' that others think we are
3. The 'me' that we really are

And while we'd like to believe that all three me's are one in the same, they often times are definitely not. Take, for instance:

• The boss who doesn't think we're nearly as competent or capable as we think we are
• The coworkers don't think we're nearly as helpful or collaborative as we think we are
• The friends who don't think we're nearly as available or giving as we think we are
• The family members who don't think we're nearly as loving or supportive as we think we are

The thing is this: In each case, there's probably some truth in what they're saying, even though our 'me' may think otherwise.

So what does it all mean? It means we're human. But its implications can be far more reaching because if we don't allow for the possibility (probability?) that the 'me' we like to think we are ... isn't, then we're likely to find ourselves in the middle of some very uncomfortable conversations/situations, moving forward.

So for the boss who doesn't think we're nearly as competent or capable as we like to think we are, and for the coworkers who don't think we're nearly as helpful or collaborative as we like to think we are, and for any friends who don't think we're nearly as available or giving as we like to think we are, and for our family members who don't think we're nearly as loving or supportive as we like to think we are ... yes, certainly help them understand where your 'me' is coming from, but be sure to allow for the very real possibility (probability?) that their views of your 'me' are as accurate, if not more so, than your own.

The 'me' we are would expect us to do nothing less from us.