The Identity Code: The 8 Essential Questions for Finding Your Purpose and Place in the World

by Larry Ackerman

This book will introduce you to yourself.

Despite what you may have been told since you were a child, you cannot be whatever you want to be in life–you are already what you were meant to be. The secret to uncovering who you are, and your purpose, is built into you in the form of a code–the identity code . Much like your genetic code, your identity code provides a complete map of how you were designed to live.

Answer the questions that frame the identity code, and the contours of your life will shift. You will not only emerge stronger, you will emerge larger . Larger in heart, larger in influence, larger in your capacity to love and be loved. You will understand the why of your life.

In this life-transforming book, Larry Ackerman shows you how to crack your identity code. With more than twenty years of experience helping organizations and individuals identify their purpose, Ackerman reveals the Laws of Identity and the Eight Essential Questions they contain. As you answer these questions, your identity will gradually become clear. It will become the foundation from which you’ll make truly meaningful decisions about what work is right for you, how to build and maintain relationships that matter, and even what interests and hobbies make sense for you. These eight questions, and the call to action each one implies, are


WHO AM I?: Define yourself as separate from all others
WHAT MAKES ME SPECIAL?: Unearth what you love
IS THERE A PATTERN TO MY LIFE?: Make the connections that explain past events and
foreshadow your future
WHERE AM I GOING?: Use what you’ve learned so far to guide you on your path
WHAT IS MY GIFT?: Follow the signs of joy
WHO CAN I TRUST?: Take stock of who matters–and why
WHAT IS MY MESSAGE?: Declare yourself on the strength of your gift
WILL MY LIFE BE RICH?: Surrender to the pull of your identity

As Ackerman points out, unbridled freedom actually weighs you down. The myth of personal freedom–the notion that you have infinite choices in the course you set for yourself–is the unspoken agony of the modern person. True freedom comes with knowing your the unique characteristics that define your potential for creating value in the world, for making a contribution that springs naturally from the core of your being and touches the lives of others. Within this framework, life’s seeming boundaries melt away.

Intelligent, provocative, and always practical, The Identity Code sets the reader on the classic the discovery of self. Take the journey.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ingmar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It gave me a general overview about my idenity. But it wasn't that good of a story and not much new stuff to learn for me...
I don't recommend it I think they're way more better books about this genre.

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning I wasn’t too sure about this one, but Larry is really onto something here. After the first few chapters, I was hooked. This is going back on my bookshelf to keep for reference.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Become thyself*

Have you ever asked yourself any of these eight questions?
*Who am I?
*What makes me special?
*Is there a pattern to my life?
*Where am I going?
*What is my gift?
*Who can I trust?
*What is my message?
*Will my life be rich?

If so, _The Identity Code_ can help you further explore the answers. To do so, the author presents the following eight "laws of identity" and their associated tasks and guiding principles:

I. The Law of Being
---An individual's ability to live depends first upon defining one's self as separate from all others.
*Task: Know who you are by defining yourself as separate from all others.
*Guiding principle: "I am alone; I am free to be who I am." (p. 55)

II. The Law of Individuality
---A person's natural capacities invariably fuse into a discernible identity that makes that person unique.
*Task: Learn what makes you special by unearthing what you love.
*Guiding principle: "I am unique." (p. 69)

III. The Law of Constancy
---Identity is fixed, transcending time and place, while its manifestations are constantly changing.
*Task: Find the pattern to your life by making the connections that explain past events and foreshadow your future.
*Guiding principle: "I am immutable, even as I grow and evolve." (p. 82)

IV. The Law of Will
---Every individual is compelled to create value in accordance with his or her identity.
*Task: Understand where you are going by committing to the path revealed in what you've learned so far.
*Guiding principle: "To live, I must express myself fully." (p. 97)

V. The Law of Possibility
---Identity foreshadows potential.
*Task: Discover your gift by following the signs of joy.
*Guiding principle: "I have much to give." (p. 111)

VI. The Law of Relationship
---Individuals are inherently relational and relationships are only as strong as the natural alignment between the identities of the participants.
*Task: Know who you can trust by taking stock of who matters and why.
*Guiding principle: "I need others and am most productive with those who need me in return." (p. 132)

VII. The Law of Comprehension
---An individual's various capacities are only as valuable as the perceived value of the whole of that individual.
*Task: Figure out your message by declaring yourself on the strength of your gift.
*Guiding principle: "To establish meaningful relationships, I must first be recognized for who I am." (p. 153)

VII. The Law of the Cycle
---Identity governs value, which produces wealth, which fuels identity.
*Task: Determine whether your life will be rich, by surrendering to the pull of identity.
*Guiding principle: "I will receive in accordance with what I give." (p. 172)

Using these eight laws of identity, _The Identity Code_ revolves around helping a person become more of who they already are. Although the approach is nicely presented and summarized in the above eight steps, the actual process is a complex, dynamic, and life-long one. As the author states: "Authenticity is what identity is all about" (p. 27), and the book provides great framework for beginning to really question who you are--and are not.

Here's to becoming thyself.

[Valeria Koopman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Identity Code is a must-read book for individuals interested in self-discovery, self-knowledge, and ultimately, living an authentic and purposeful life that benefits everyone they touch.
I especially love the passage, Follow the signs of joy, in Chapter Five. It’s by being aware of, and recognizing what brings a deep smile to our faces and warmth to our hearts that lead to meaningful living.
It was a joy to have had a conversation with Larry Ackerman during a podcast interview! His presence reflected his commitment to change lives.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are lots of books on identity; this one was recommended by a fellow speaker at a recent conference. The speaker was cranky but interesting, so I bought the book.

It was a disappointment. It's superficial and certainly not as good as The Artist's Way (Cameron), for my money the best book of this sort by far -- even for non-artists.

[Nikki Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book at the recommendation of a woman during an interesting session at the Life Rocks conference this year. Most of it seemed like work I have already been doing. The final third of the book held some new-to-me ideas and proved rather inspiring. Overall it is well-conceived and written, and I recommend it.

[lynne fireheart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Crap. Total crap.

Again someone who's convinced he's "discovered" these "natural" "laws" this time concerning identity... but bottom line, he's not saying anything new. Start here or with any other book - just don't swallow everything hook line & sinker...

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good info - boring presentation.