Who Are You Without Your Job Title?

Ask this from someone, and the person will struggle to answer. Job titles have become us. Even when people are asked, "What do you do?" their reply is "Hi, I'm John, and I'm a lawyer," or "I'm Sarah, and I'm a doctor." They don't reply with a detailed explanation of what they do but with an I'AM. But who are we really without our job titles? Is our identity solely defined by our profession?

The reality is that we are much more than our job titles. We are complex individuals with various interests, skills, and passions. Our job may be a significant part of our lives, but it does not define who we are as a person.

In fact, it's important to remember that our job titles are often temporary. We may change jobs throughout our careers, and our job titles may change as a result. If we define ourselves solely by our job title, what happens when we switch careers or retire?

Furthermore, our job titles may not accurately reflect the full scope of our work. For example, a teacher may also be a mentor, a coach, a counsellor, and a role model. A chef may also be an artist, a problem solver, and a team leader. Our job titles may only capture a small part of who we are and what we do.

So, who are we without our job titles? We are individuals with unique personalities, experiences, and perspectives. We have families, friends, and communities that we belong to. We have hobbies, interests, and talents that bring us joy and fulfilment.

In fact, our hobbies and interests can often reveal more about who we are than our job titles ever could. Perhaps we enjoy playing music, painting, hiking, or volunteering in our spare time. These activities can provide a sense of purpose and meaning that may not be present in our jobs.

We are complex beings with unique personalities, values, and beliefs that make us who we are. Our relationships with our family, friends, and community shape our identity and give us a sense of belonging. We have passions and hobbies that bring us joy and fulfilment and experiences and memories that shape our perspective on life.

If we remove our job title, we are left with the essence of who we are. We are left with our values, beliefs, and personality traits that make us unique. We are left with our relationships and connections with others, our passions and interests, and our experiences that have shaped us into the person we are today.