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Vallish S

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Do we become a person by imitating him / her?

It happened with me, not sure with how many others. I tend to get influenced by some people so much that I invariably end up imitating them...! Not sure what makes me think that I have become like him / her by mere imitation..! Well, it did not work with me... I just thought I am good by myself after the influence weakens on my mind. But your theory is rekindling the spirit in me to ask you this...

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Topics: behavior change faking imitation influence
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  • Milos Djuric

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    Oct 31 2012: Dear Vallish S,

    Could you please, rephrase your question. I do not understand what you really wanted to ask.

  • Same AsIs

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    Oct 25 2012: A wise man once told me, after complaining to him about what I have to do (stopping a bad habit), his reply to me was, "no one can make you do what you do not want to do"...so I would suggest that you have found similarities within yourselves that feed of each other, have you asked them how they feel, you may be surprised...then there is the obvious effect certain personalities have with others...so if you mimic it is you doing it another way than how you used to and it probably does feel great...but its you entertaining yourself...I would suggest.

  • S H

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    Oct 15 2012: But...you are a person!
    Body language can help you understanding yourself. The goal is to feel in our place, so if it can help us fighting some fears that limits us, why not.
    And from what I understood, she said " fake it untill you become it". Not somebody else, but you with more confidence!
    It is the same than teling us " I can do it, I can do it.." but nonverbal, that's it.
    Body language makes me realize the way I live some situations.
    From my point of view..

  • Daril Atkins

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    Oct 12 2012: This is dangerous ground and a strategy that could backfire. We understand the posturing and the reactions of the onlookers to that posture. In imitation of itimidating postures one could possibly fool some but not all. However once you begin to pretend postures, you will fool your mind which will take a hold of that as a belief. Until someone calls your bluff.
    Ancient wisdom tells us that we become what we see in ourselves. Modern wisdom is telling us that we can pretend posture and feel likewise. Beware on both counts. The movie HAL illustrates this point well.

  • Aifel Ladder

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    Oct 12 2012: Natural phenomena and it works even in the subconscious.
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Oct 11 2012: We have to imitate in life to a certain extent; but we should honestly let go of the things that do not work for us as individuals.
    We can not become like someone we admire by imitating them. What we see in individuals is just like a tip of an iceberg. There is so much in-depth details of an individual's personality that can not be accessed by observation. What we can do is that if we see an individual with admirable and laudable results, we should try to know the principles they hold dear.
    We can apply these principles and the things we've learned from their success stories.
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    Kateryna Mysak 30+

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    TED Translator
    Oct 11 2012: I would even say - we all imitate from the very beginning.
    This is how you learn to speak, walk, etc.

    But when we grow up - we still do this.

    I find it funny when I suddenly realize I use the same mimic, or phrases that my friends use...
    But as far as remember - these were the things I liked.

    And definitely I don't feel I am becoming them, just... maybe connecting with them somehow... this way.

  • Vallish S

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    Oct 11 2012: If I imitate someone's handwriting and talking style, what good am I picking.. That is what I meant by imitating. not habits. I feel that it is mere influence. In fact I feel ridiculous looking back that I have spend so much time imitating people; well, in that time I could have built a beautiful self..!!!
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      Fritzie Reisner 100+

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      Host
      Oct 11 2012: Some people gain from trying some of the things their mentors or those they respect most have done. Ultimately, though, you need to choose what sorts of behaviors work best for you.
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    chen xin

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    Oct 11 2012: we are not alone ,that is part of our life .and often i imitate others .i don t know it is right or wrong .maybe we should do as much as we should with our own ideas i think it inspect and verify a old saying he who keeps company with the wolf, will learn to howl .so i think we should life a much better invironmnet and have a ,frontal influent.
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    Nicholas Lukowiak 50+

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    Oct 10 2012: We are always imitating others; part of our nature is to mimic others in order to be immersed into the 'norm' and groups we associate with.

    Rather than strive to be an individual, strive to be the best combination of multiple individuals. I call it "existential nitpicking" (in this case persona picking) in which you select from other sources what you find to be important/essential in developing who you want to be as opposed who you already think you are being.

    Imitate! But, do so understanding you are in fact imitating in order to recreate not reproduce.

    But, no, we do not become anyone by imitation. We just learn.
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      Luis Javier Salvador 30+

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      TED Translator
      Oct 10 2012: I totally agree with you. I guess we all follow or imitate certain role models, even if we are not aware of it. The key is, as you said, to adopt all the good things from different people in order to get as close to our ideal as possible.
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    Casey Christofaris 10+

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    Oct 10 2012: Be yourself always, be true to who you are, and your thoughts
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Oct 10 2012: No. It will become a disability to you not to be yourself.
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