Sunday, October 5, 2008

Who Are You? The Twenty Statements Test

I am... hiking at Alum Rock Park today...

The 'Twenty Statements Test' is a simple exercise for exploring one's sense of self.
Take 12 minutes to list as many words as you can that complete the statement, "I am..."

The TST can be use for self-reflection, or for coaching.
Some questions you might ask, or reflect upon after completion would include:
  • How many gender specific phrases did you use?
  • How many external vs. internal identities did you express?
  • How old or new are these self-images?
  • Are there any you want to change?

Here's mine (completely without a filter). I am:

  1. a musician
  2. creative
  3. a traveler
  4. a songwriter
  5. a storyteller
  6. in love with my wife
  7. a fan of the NY Giants and Yankees
  8. more happy to be alone than people think
  9. content
  10. optimistic
  11. an explorer
  12. a thinker
  13. intuitive
  14. often loud
  15. son of Sam (my dad's name)
  16. observant
  17. always moving
  18. a beach bum when i can be
  19. not afraid of much
  20. an engineer
  21. an artist
  22. a teacher
  23. a photographer
  24. visual
  25. verbal
  26. global
  27. a less than active family member
  28. apolitical
  29. agnostic
  30. watchless, phoneless, and combless
  31. a dog lover
  32. a naturalist
  33. an amateur anthropologist
  34. disappointed in the state of architecture
  35. an ex-expatriate
  36. blessed with great friends
  37. at my best in new situations
  38. constantly learning
  39. a smart-ass
  40. grateful

These aren't too gender specific identities, and there's a pretty even balance between internal and external. Almost all of these have been true since I was young.

Try it!


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