What Happens When Your Job Is Your Identity

BySue Relihan

Do you feel as if your job has become your sole identity?

Are you always in “work mode”; even when you are socializing with your family and friends?

Ask yourself, “Am I living my dream”? If the answer is yes, then it’s likely not a problem, but if the answer is no, then it’s a good place to start asking even more questions.  

The greater the role your job plays in your self-definition, the greater the challenge in living a happy and fulfilled life.  It’s better to identify the extent of the role and determine what actions to take before it becomes a bigger problem.  

Take one day and spend the entire day solely focused on self-awareness and self-evaluation.  Schedule it as if you are attending a workshop, a workshop dedicated solely to you, your happiness and your future. You will be the only attendee for the day.  

This is what the day’s agenda could look like:

  1. Wake up and start the day in a mindset of gratitude.  Grateful that you are in a place where you are willing to dedicate a day to yourself.
  2. Take a few minutes and stretch your body.  It doesn’t need to be vigorous, a little gentle stretching can help set the tone for the day.
  3. Get up and get dressed. Dress comfortably in clothes that are not tight or restricting in any way.  
  4. Eat a healthy breakfast. Something with a little protein and a complex carb for brain fuel.
  5. Find a place that is good for both writing and “thinking” with your eyes closed.  Most importantly a place to sit down where you will not be disturbed for a couple of hours.
  6. Sit down with a pen and notebook (either paper or electronic).
  7. Ask yourself the following questions and write down the answers.  The more time you take to consider the answers, the more powerful the experience will be.
    1. When it comes to my job/career who am I?
    2. Am I happy?
    3. Does this identity serve my highest self-interest, if so, in what way?
    4. If it does not serve my highest self-interest, what do I think I need to change?
    5. Am I willing to look at making changes at this time?
    6. Can I make enough money to feel secure if I make that change?
    7. If so, what else might be holding me back?
    8. What would my life look like if I made the change?
    9. What are the risks?
    10. What are the benefits?
  8. Once these questions are answered, take a short break.
  9. After the break, find a place where you can get comfortable.
  10. Fill out the form below and I will send you a short guided meditation.

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