About this quote

Identity is shown as what you take in and whom you let close to you. That makes being yourself less about a fixed essence and more about choices you can make every day. Do one concrete thing: read one new author, reach out to one person you admired, or visit one neighborhood you’ve only seen in pictures. Ask which influences you want to keep, and which you can change.

When to use it

• Before my thesis defense: I thought of Borges' line — that I'm made of the books I've read — and stopped apologizing for using those ideas in my argument.
• During a tense strategy meeting at work: I remembered I'm built from mentors and past teams, so I suggested a solution that mixed lessons from different people I'd learned from.
• Packing to move abroad: the quote reminded me a new city will alter which parts of me stay, so I intentionally chose a neighborhood where I could meet makers and readers.
• The night before the final game: I ran through coaches and rivals who'd shaped my play and felt steadier, knowing my skills are a product of many influences.