Finding Your Path: Inspired, Not Imitated

Introduction

We all have people we look up to, such as family, friends, boss, mentor, or someone far from our circle. These people inspire us in many ways, whether in our careers or just our daily lives and there is always something specific that makes them stand out for you. We often find ourselves asking, how did he/she do it and then ask ourselves how can I do it just like he/ she did, instead of How can I do it differently?

Inspiration vs Imitation

My whole life, from primary school to now, people have compared me to my sister. It didn't matter where the comparison came from, whether it was from my parents, teachers, or friends, one thing was constant, I hated it because I was my own person. One thing I didn't realize was that my sister and I were more alike than I would like to admit. We have the same interests in a lot of things and at some point, I tried running away from that until I couldn't run anymore. I realized that I was never going to get uninterested in something just because she was interested in it first. She had always been my role model, so I decided to follow her steps but differently, in a different way and taste, with time I grew to enjoy people telling me that I was just like my sister because I was being compared with my role model and that meant I was doing something good.

To be inspired means you are paying tribute to the original source while also advancing in a new direction that is akin to your own style. You are adding onto the inspiration with your own twist that would be true to you. With Inspiration, you get to be your own person without straying away from your path.

However, To imitate is plagiarizing work that has already been created. It is lazy and easy and doesn't encourage creativity. People often confuse the two since they think they are the same thing. The fact is, there is a difference between " Hey your journey as a software engineer inspired me to start my journey in tech and I am now a junior developer at Google" and " Hey, I like the lifestyle you have as a software engineer and I want to start coding so that I can have loads of money and travel a lot like you.

Many youngsters in the tech space fail to distinguish between these two and end up worshipping people they look up to and doing exactly what these people are doing with expectations to be just as great as them. They forget that journeys are different. Just because your mentor earns a million or more as an Android engineer does not mean you will earn a million as an Android engineer. You probably don't even like Android but are only forcing yourself to do it because your mentor does it.

You can embrace your unique qualities while being inspired by others and strike a balance between following someone's lead and being your own person.

Here is how:

Tips to help you achieve that balance

1. Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your own values, interests, and aspirations. Understand what truly matters to you. This self-awareness is the foundation for embracing your uniqueness.

2. Recognize the Value of Inspiration: Understand that it's perfectly normal and valuable to be inspired by others. Role models, mentors, and people you admire can provide guidance and motivation. It's a positive thing to have influences in your life.

3. Set Clear Boundaries: It's important to establish boundaries between healthy inspiration and imitation. Ask yourself why you admire someone and what specific qualities or actions you want to emulate. This will help you avoid mindlessly copying them.

4. Define Your Goals: Set clear, personalized goals for your life. What do you want to achieve? What is your unique path? Having your own goals will help you stay focused on your individual journey.

5. Develop Your Interests: Pursue your interests and passions. Even if you share some interests with others, you can explore them in your own unique way. This will help you express your individuality.

6. Learn from Different Sources: Don't limit yourself to just one source of inspiration. Explore various role models and mentors from different areas of life to gain a broader perspective.

8. Celebrate Differences: Instead of focusing on similarities, celebrate the differences between you and the person you admire. Recognize that your unique qualities and perspectives are what make you special.

9. Self-Validation: Learn to validate yourself. Don't rely solely on external validation or comparison to others. Trust your own judgment and believe in your abilities.

10. Respect Your Own Journey: Your journey is unique to you. Embrace the idea that you may take different paths and face distinct challenges from those you admire. Trust that your experiences will shape you in your way.

11. Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and be present in your own life. This can help you stay in touch with your own feelings, thoughts, and experiences, rather than constantly comparing yourself to others.

12. Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who appreciate you for who you are. They can provide encouragement and help you maintain your individuality.

conclusion

"Look at your age mates" is a saying that has led to a lot of bad decisions, especially among the youth. Be careful, Run your race, walk your path, and Be yourself, the world will adjust.

Remember that it's okay to be inspired by others, but the key is to integrate those inspirations into your life in a way that aligns with your unique identity and aspirations. Your individuality is a precious part of who you are, and it should be celebrated and nurtured.