Hyper-identifying with the job
First meeting moment, pressing flesh at a party.
Then comes, “So, what do you do?” (Translation: “Who are you?”)
You pause. Maybe you simply work to pay the bills or maybe you have a job you think is worth doing. What do you say?
Here’s what I wish…
I wish we could figure out another way to find commonality with others. For example, it’s a good assumption that most of us listen to some sort of music. Even back in the cave, we were probably tapping out rhythms with sticks on rocks, but we don’t identify ourselves by the music we love. Instead, we identify ourselves by what we do. Honestly though, it would be more fun to say, “Nice to meet you. My name is Angela. I love the blues – just downloaded Jonny Lang’s latest to my iPod.” rather than, “Nice to meet you. My name is Angela. I’m a widget builder at XYZ Manufacturing.” How booorrring!
Hyper-identifying with the job
I believe that if we didn’t hyper-identify with our jobs, we wouldn’t be so unhappy. One careerbuilder.com survey I read stated that 4 out of 5 U.S. workers do not have their dream jobs and less than ½ say they’re satisfied. So, the majority of us don’t have dream jobs.
Why are so many people settling for less than? This must mean that they’re just getting a job to pay the bills. In a recession that’s understandable, but still… why the heck do we look at what we’re doing as our identity? Especially if it’s a job just to pay the bills!
So understand this…
Your job does not define you unless you allow it to. What a dream job does – or any job, really – is allow you to bring your inborn gifts forth so that you may use them for that which they’re intended. No matter where you are and what you are doing, you carry your gifts with you. Your gifts serve as part of and in reflection of your identity – but your identity is NOT the method of their delivery through that job you have with XYZ Manufacturing.
My advice for immediate happiness and fulfillment?
It’s simple. Stop identifying so much with the job and turn your focus on figuring out what your gifts are and how to use them in your world no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
Angela Loëb is an author, speaker and co-owner of Great Occupations. She and her partner, Jay Markunas, help people make successful career transitions through workshops, webclasses, personalized coaching sessions, as well as through The Job Search Boot Camp Show. Find out more at www.greatoccupations.com.