You Are What You Think People Think About You

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“There are about 6.7 Billion people in this world that we know of.  Whether you believe in ‘Creation’ or ‘Evolution’, this human race started with a tiny number. It is quite amazing to see how fast it multiplies. What is more amazing is that every single individual in that 6 billion crowd is born ‘unique’.  Quite literally, you are born to be one in a billion, whether you believe it or not. “
This was the Introduction to my latest and last speech in Toast Masters club, ‘One in a Billion’ as part of International Speech contest. 

As much as I believe that each one of us can be that 'one in a billion' personality, I admit the reality as I perceive it and some times feel alone in that belief.

A famous quote says 'You are what you think'. It is also true that 'you are what you think people think about you'. If you think people think you are smart, then you act smart and become smart. If you think people think you are dumb, you will become dumb even if you are not, at the moment.

Now bring that discussion to caste system in India and racism in the rest of the world in the contemporary society. This is how it exactly work. We see them through the lenses of our world, as we understood, as we perceive and treat them so. And eventually, there is a high probability that they become what they are perceived to be. Watch this great 'reality show' that illustrates the concept of how all this 'stereo typing' and 'world of perception' work in the society and define its people.
A Class Divided
One of the key lessons from this Video is that most of us are seriously affected ( just like those kids ) by what others think of you.

As an aside, since you are what you think people think about you, one way to become what you want to be, is to make people around you think of you as what you want to be. And there is this wonderful quote from Austin Kleon, that says a lot when it comes to perception. 
From How to Steal Like an Artist, by Austin Kleon

Now, there are exceptions. Some people really don't care what others think and define what they are and what they will be, based on their own love of something or passion for something defying all odds and social expectations. They think they are 'one in a billion' and define themselves. And the rest are defined more by social spectrum than any thing. 

So you are what you are. It really matters whether you defined what you are, so you are that one in a billion or social spectrum defines it so you could be the most likable, smart and successful as the world see it. They are not mutually exclusive in theory. But in reality, they are, in many cases.

Good luck and have a wonderful weekend.

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