Finding Ken: Identity Lessons from a Plastic Icon
In this issue: Finding Ken: Identity Lessons from a Plastic Icon / Some People Are Just Lucky. You Can Make Yourself One of Them. / What Is the Best Country in the World? / The Lighter Side of Strategic Living
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Finding Ken: Identity Lessons from a Plastic Icon
Who would’ve guessed that the childhood toy that helped warp the body image of young girls and boys around the world could deliver such a profound lesson in self-discovery?
So, I finally caught up with the rest of the world and watched the Barbie movie.
And I was pleasantly surprised.
Here's my take on Ken's enlightening journey:
The Essence of Identity
Identity isn’t just about labels; it’s the essence of who we are, not just what we see when we look in the mirror.
Ken's experience in the Barbie movie uses humor to mirror our real-life journey.
Many of us, just like Ken, have been building our lives on a false, one-dimensional narrative based on what we think we should be, rather than the complex beings that we truly are.
And like Ken, sometimes it requires major life events to trigger a re-examination of our identity.
In Ken’s case, realizing he's primarily known only as Barbie's other half sparked a quest for self-discovery.
These moments, that we all have (if we’re paying attention) can feel unsettling, but they are also bringing wonderful opportunities to redefine and enrich our understanding of ourselves.
Years ago, in graduate school, we did a great exercise on identity looking at all the roles we play in life. In essence, we were playing archaeologists, unearthing the many layers that make us who we are.
This enlightening experience helped us understand that we are so much more than we realized...which is a very good thing.
A robust identity involves embracing a variety of roles, and at times, similar to Ken, discarding the ones that no longer serve us or the people around us.
Ken's quest for self-identity, complete with failed attempts at various personas, in a funny, quirky way highlights the importance of not confining ourselves to single aspects of our lives.
Action Steps to Unearth Your Own Inner Ken:
1. Reflect on Your Roles:
Consider the hats you wear in your daily life—professional, sister/brother, partner, parent, friend, creator, volunteer, etc. Write them down. Look at each role critically and ask yourself if it was chosen by you for you, or if it was a role, you felt you had to take on. It’s like Ken checking his wardrobe—each outfit represents a different aspect of his life. Which one truly fits?
2. Align Actions with Values:
Now, for each role, define the core values that matter to you. For instance, as a professional, you may value innovation; as a partner, perhaps it’s empathy. Evaluate if your current actions in these roles are a true reflection of these values. It's like Ken aligning his actions with his newfound self-awareness, ensuring each step he takes is a true expression of his inner values.
3. Embrace Change:
See change as a stage for growth, not just a challenge to survive. Like Ken's transformation journey, every twist in your story is a chance to evolve. When a new role emerges or an old one falls away, dive into the change, using it as a catalyst to deepen and broaden who you are.
4. Seek Diverse Experiences:
Step out of your comfort zone and try on new experiences that challenge you, much like Ken exploring life beyond the beach. Each of these new experiences is a chance to discover a hidden facet of your identity, adding depth and strength to your narrative.
Navigating our identities is like Ken figuring out life beyond just being Barbie's +1.
It's about asking the deeper questions: Who am I beyond the role I play? How do my actions reflect my true self? What matters to me and why?
As Ken shows us, identity is not just about the label on the box we come in. It’s about the story we choose to write for ourselves.
So, are you ready to go beyond the plastic persona and re-write your story to match who you truly are, not some character you thought you should be?
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RECOMMENDED LISTENS, READS And Other Interesting Things
Some People Are Just Lucky. You Can Make Yourself One of Them.
Unlucky people skip over opportunities right in front of them. Make sure you don’t miss out.
What Is the Best Country in the World?
Marketing professor David Reibstein unveils his annual “Best Countries” list, which measures global perceptions about 87 nations with the highest GDP.
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The Lighter Side of Identity
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Are there any other subjects you want me to cover? Hit “Reply” and tell me!
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Andrea J. Miller
+1 (646) 556-5401 (Whatsapp)
As always, thanks for reading!