How well do we really know what other people think of us, and how much should we care? People develop false assumptions about others all the time, but an outside perspective can provide insight into who we are, how we’re perceived, and what strengths and qualities we have to offer the world. Opportunities for open criticism or praise are somewhat rare and hard to come by. But many of us have a natural curiosity about how we are perceived. This next experiment explores that curiosity and the relationship between self-image and the perceptions of others. It is conceptually simple but requires a fair amount of social bravery.  To start, create a journal with a stylized cover of your own choosing. Design it so that it has several empty lined pages providing only a simple heading at the top of each page. Make the headings so they read on separate pages in the following series with your name inserted in each prompt…for the example I will put my own:

 “When I think about Billy, I think…” 

“When I see Billy, I see a person who…”

“If Billy had a superpower it would be…” 

The purpose of this book is to have people share and reflect on the person they think about when they think about you and to establish a whimsical way for you to learn more about yourself in artistic form. Take this new book about with you and treat it as a community journal for the people in the world around you. As you meet new people or make new friends at an ideal time offer up the book for them to write their thoughts as an offering towards your personal discovery and self-reflection. Have friends, family members, or acquaintances dedicate a page responding to the prompts and fill your book with their responses. Allow for honesty and for insight. Grow and carry on the process as you develop into your most complete self. The writing people offer might be surprising but it is hopefully just as much enlightening and encourages a better understanding of how you are received in the world.