You Are More Than Your Job

Let me set the stage for you.? You're at a function, meeting and being introduced to all sorts of people.? Then the question "What do you do?".?? Most of us will answer with our job title like it's our badge of honor.? I get it, you completed your advanced education perhaps it's a master’s, doctorate, or a specialized certification.? Certainly, something to be proud of, but is that what defines you?? Does it define who you are at your core, your Being (yes, with a capital B)?

Think about it for a moment.? What if you stopped defining yourselves by your job, and your title, and started identifying with who you are Being, your true essence, core values, passions, and unique qualities, and allowed that to be your intro to your conversations?

Let’s rebrand you to reflect the greatness of your true self, reconnect with your core essence, and break free from any narrow-minded, career-centered identity you've held onto.

The Career Identity Trap

Think about when you meet someone for the first time and they ask “Who are you?”.? How often do you automatically lean into your title or responsibility?? Perhaps it's the question "What do you do?? that we think about our daily job.? I get it.? You're proud of your accomplishment, I am not discrediting any of it.? You work hard and deserve to be commended for it.? And YES, for many of us, our career is important.? It provides us with financial stability, structure, and sometimes our purpose. Totally understandable because we spend so much of our time and energy at work, that it consumes us and becomes our identity.? The danger is that we place so much value on our professional accomplishments that it diminishes who we are at our core Being.

Who Are You?

Let me ask you again but a little differently:?Who are you when you take away the job title, the company, and the tasks of your daily work??

Sit with this or perhaps journal, look inward, and understand who you are at your core Being, your values and principles, and what motivates you.? This is where you find your greatness, certainly not in your daily job.? Think about your life outside of work:

• What values do you stand for? E.g.: Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Compassion, Unity
• What brings you joy? E.g.: Family, Nature, Friends, Learning, Adventure, Art
• How do you show up for the people in your life? E.g.: Support, Listening, Encouragement, Reliability, Patience
• What skills or qualities make you feel alive? E.g.: Creativity, Innovation, Teaching, Passion, Collaboration, Leadership

Using the above answers, think about the following questions to hone in on redefining yourself.

Redefining Your Core Being

• What would your life look like if you couldn’t talk about your job??What would you say about yourself at a dinner party if your occupation were off-limits? How would you describe yourself without referencing work?? Think of activities or hobbies you enjoy, personal values or passions, your contributions to the community, goals and dreams (unrelated to work), and stories that shape you.
• Which of your values do you feel most connected to??How do these values show up in your life, especially outside of work?? What principles guide your decision-making in difficult situations? What do you prioritize in your relationships with others (trust, honesty, loyalty…)? What beliefs or values help you stay grounded?? Which actions or behaviors make you feel most authentic to yourself?
• What activities make you feel most fulfilled and energized??Think beyond productivity. When was the last time you lost track of time doing something you truly love, and it had nothing to do with work?
• How would you like to be remembered??Not in terms of professional achievements, but in terms of the impact you’ve had on the lives of others, the way you treated people, and the mark you left on the world.

The challenge for you now is putting all this together and rebranding yourself, leaving your career/job out of the equation.

Your New "Identity Statement"

Create a new “identity statement” that reflects your core Being.

• First, go back to the activity above and write down your most important values, passions, and interests.
• Next, ask yourself, "Who am I outside of my job?" Think of how you show up in your relationships, how you contribute to your community, or what you're passionate about.

Share this new identity statement with someone you trust. This might feel vulnerable, but it’s a powerful step toward embracing who you are at your core.

You've Got This

As you continue to explore this, practice introducing yourself in different ways that don’t rely on your professional role. Start with things that light you up, like “I’m passionate about helping people find their voice,” or “I love spending time in nature and am dedicated to preserving the environment.” Not only will this challenge you to see yourself beyond the 9-5, but it will also invite deeper, more authentic conversations with others.

I did this exercise myself and here are my responses to the questions:

"Who Am I?"

I build genuine connections and live life authentically, always striving to inspire the people around me to reach their full potential. For me, authenticity, kindness, and honesty are what matter most and at my core. I’ve learned how important it is to align my life with these values. Spending time in nature with family and friends is where I find peace and joy.? It’s appreciating the little things and our blessings. I’m passionate about learning and growing, which fuels my creativity and helps me support others. I desire and encourage everyone around me to live their lives unapologetically.

“What Do I Do?”

I build genuine connections with people by living authentically and encouraging others to do the same. I love to spend time in nature with my family and friends, where we create lasting memories and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. As I’ve gotten older, I realize how important honesty and kindness are to me, and I try to embody those values in everything I do. I’m passionate about learning new things, my personal development, and using my creativity to uplift those around me. I encourage my friends to embrace their true selves and live their lives unapologetically. Life is about supporting each other and finding joy in the journey together.

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