It’s the eighth month of the year. Which means we’ve only a quarter to go until the air fills with ‘The Sound of Christmas’. I mean, I can already see red and green! As you know, this is the second blog of the month. Giving us the blessed opportunity to gather around ‘The Cake Table’ yet again for another exciting conversation. As I say often; we’re living in a time when except you take the time to deeply understand the world of men and the ways of men, and deliberately carve out who you’ll be within this narrative, with a conviction that will sustain you through the ages, you may be consumed by the many competing voices and end up looking like everyone else. Thinking, talking, and acting like they do. In a predictable and ordinary fashion; without distinction.

Which brings me to the topic for this month’s blog. ‘Copycat’ is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “denoting an action, typically a crime, carried out in imitation of another”. So, to better understand the idea, we must unpack the definition of “imitation”. This is defined as “the action of using someone or something as a model”. Alternatively, “a thing intended to simulate or copy something else”. The verb is described as to “take or follow as a model” or to “copy or simulate”. I think you get the drift. A copycat is someone who draws behaviours, actions, speech or whatever else from another, with the object of presenting himself like that person. The aim being to at least achieve the same results enjoyed by that person; which are regarded as being associated with that conduct. Essentially, modelling oneself on another person.

I don’t know about you. But growing up in Zimbabwe, copycat was an offensive word; used to tease, belittle, degrade, undermine, or insult. The suggestion being that you were less of a person for trying to emulate another. I guess, in some way, from an early age, we carried the appreciation that every individual is born unique. That we should each embrace our unique selves and grow into the best versions of that person. That we should quit trying to be like anyone else because we were each made differently. And that our individual purpose here on earth is hid in connecting with the unique self and living from that realm. If you ask me, I believe that we were all born with the inherent knowledge of purpose and divine assignment; just without the understanding to express it fully except we deliberately draw it out from within. But that’s not for today.

However, this narrative missed something I only discovered in my later years of life. That being a copycat is not always a bad thing. That sometimes, it’s exactly what you need to grow; certain imitations being needful to progress to your next level. The idea being that if you can identify something that is already working and evident in another person’s life, simply copy it. But then, you may ask; how do you copy another person and still become your best self? Let me explain.

The question to answer is, ‘what are you copying?’ And to what end?

If you’re copying from a place of insecurity or inadequacy because you feel less of a person in your own world; something’s off. If you’re copying to hide behind a lack of self-confidence or the necessary drive or ambition; you have a problem. If you’re copying in the hope of convincing your audience that you operate at the same level when you actually don’t; you’re only deceiving yourself. And, if you’re copying someone who’s on a destructive path, albeit that things may look like they’re working right now; you’re simply headed for disaster too. It’s just a matter of time. I could go on. Whichever case, you may succeed in fooling those around you by these imitations; but only for a short while. Eventually, the results speak for themself. Please understand this. Every person has their level, by right and rank. They’ve attained a particular status based on the seeds sown to get there. It’s no accident that someone may be ahead of you and another behind you. Because we’re all on a journey. Moving at our individual paces depending on how much we’re able to draw out. But if you see a person that has made it to a certain level, they did something right to get there. No matter how many wrong things they are doing. There’s still something that qualified them for that level. And, if you’re trying to attain the same level but without sowing the requisite seeds; to get the prize without doing the necessary work; we can’t support that kind of copying.

However, positive imitations do exist. But there’s an order to them. Firstly, you must already know your individual purpose on earth, or at least be on a journey to fully unveiling it. Who God called you to be, and the uniqueness that He has deposited in you for that course. Understanding that there are spaces on this earth that only your voice can fill; being where you will be most functional and operate in divine assignment. Secondly, you must identify people that have found their unique purpose and are living it; whom you believe you can learn from in the context of your own journey. These people could be your peers; colleagues; businessmen; thought leaders; ministers; politicians, etc. You can find them in any space or shape. But they must be people who know who they are; are not confused or apologetic about it; know where they’re going (and can articulate this clearly); and whose broader vision agrees with the vision that you carry in your heart for your own life. More importantly, they must bear the fruit (results) of their labour, and be in a position to teach and impart lessons that you can draw from. Then, yours is clear. To simply copy or imitate them as they walk in the fulfilment of their unique assignments. Following after them, and the patterns and principles they define.

I believe that this is absolutely necessary to grow in certain areas or dimensions. Because there are some learnings that can only come from those around you. Things that you will only learn from other people who have already walked the journey successfully. You would be proud to ignore these examples and seek to figure it out by yourself. After all, we live in a world of give and take. Which means, if you are taking from one person in certain respects, it’s likely that you’re giving to someone else in other respects. So, just as you may be drawing from your imitations of another to carve out your unique space, another may be drawing from their imitations of you to carve out their unique space. And so, the circle of life goes! This give and take is healthy and is also a sign of wisdom and maturity. To model yourself around positive role models.

However, it’s important that these imitations not be carnal. What do I mean? You may draw certain physical expressions from the person, like mannerisms, speech, dress, etc. After all, when you study a person deeply and follow him consistently; it’s not surprising that you may start to look, and sound like him. But it cuts deeper. You draw from the spirit of the man, in an effort to receive in your own spirit. Such that it’s embedded within. Otherwise, you’ve only touched the surface. Because it’s not about how you walk or talk or act. It’s about the well that you’re drawing from in order to walk or talk or act in that way. An experience within. Not merely an expression without.

Unfortunately, the world today is inundated with copycats who are not pursuing any defined purpose or goal; but the wealth, success, and prosperity on another. And so, doing what that person does; going where the person goes; dressing like the person does; and speaking like the person; believing that success lies is in imitating him or her. As a result, the world is producing armies of men and women who all look the same. But because they don’t know who they are at the core, most are dissatisfied and overwhelmed by feelings of emptiness. Simply because they’re living someone else’s life and they know it at the core (remember what I said above about the inherent knowledge that we’re born with). Something’s missing; but they can’t put their finger on it. They’re moving and shaking, but not really getting anywhere that satisfies them. Coming and going; but without any real purpose. Attaining, amassing, increasing, etc; but everyday drawing further and further away from their truest selves.

I’m a ‘copycat’. And I’ll admit it any day. I’ve identified people to emulate because they consistently display the characteristics I believe I need to grow to my next level. I study these individuals deeply, just as I study the principles and patterns they display. And I follow after them keenly. They’ve defined certain principles and patterns of success for me. And I’m confident that if I continue to sow the necessary seeds, I’ll achieve my own goals. Because it’s embedded in a formula. And I’ve locked into it.

If you recall my previous blogs on Purpose and Family, it’s not possible to compete when you walk with this mind. Because no matter how similar our individual journeys may be, they’re still distinctly unique and embedded in a divine purpose that only you can fulfil. Because of that, it’s easy to do you, unapologetically.

Yours in baking,

Chi