recreate yourself & keep your hands clean

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Law 25

Re-Create Yourself

Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life.

I just got a similar lecture from a very close friend. It's true though, you can always change who you are. Being timid and shy doesn't mean you always have to be like that and you will never obtain power.. It seems like those qualities doesn't have any place in a power person.. At least on the outside. This one takes courage but it is no where near impossible. I recently wrote out a list of some of things that define me.. Things that set me apart from the next snow white Russian. And wrote in what I'd like to change. I'm working on it. It's difficult to break a habit though and even if you do it's always easier to go back to what you know. It takes a lot of work and sometimes it's extremely frustrating and difficult... But everything really worth it is.

Law 26

Keep Your Hands Clean

You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: Your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as scapegoats and cat’s-paws to disguise your involvement.

Not taking responsibility for your mistakes may sound nice and may work for those seeking power but could the average person really do that effectively and not feel bad for it? Blaming the dog for eating your homework is different than blaming someone for causing a break up when you cheated.