As I\u2019m having plenty of time to think and try not to get nauseous when our Central American bus drivers race up the mountain at the speed of light, this question came to mind. Are people being defined by their job or career? Am I defining myself by my career?<\/p>\n
I had a lot of thoughts at that moment and there were too many potholes on the road to writing them down. Sorry not sorry if this turns into a rant \u2013 just so that you\u2019re prepared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Personally, I have a job in finance, where I do different things for different clients as a consultant. I am currently on my mini-retirement, but I\u2019ll continue my job when I return home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On this trip, I\u2019ve met many people. One common denominator: many of them ask me what I do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I tell people I work in finance, they often make all kinds of assumptions. What kind of person I am, what my values are, or how much money I make.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They are trying to get to know me better and estimating if they could get along with me, mostly based on what I do between 9 and 5. Interesting right?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s Just Assumptions<\/span><\/h2>\nOften we make generalizations about someone largely based on what kind of work they do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Assumptions are just assumptions, it doesn\u2019t mean that they should be true in every case. When someone has a specific job, that doesn\u2019t mean that is what they value.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most people have a job to afford the things they want outside the 9 to 5. What someone does outside of work shows more of who you are and what you like.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Only if you have your dream job, this can be true. If you don\u2019t, it\u2019s just assumptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You Decide If Your Job Defines You<\/span><\/h2>\nMost people have a job and most people have hobbies. YOU can decide which one you want to define you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Does your career define you? Do you want that?<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t derive my personal value from what I do between 9 and 5, I define myself by my hobbies<\/a>. What I love to do is something completely different compared to my job.\u00a0<\/p>\nIf you love your job and you feel very connected with your job, you can let this define you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both are fine, there is no bad choice here. Just YOUR choice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Are you unsure of what defines you? Do you want to change what defines you?<\/p>\n
Think about what gives you joy \u2013 things that you love to share with other people. Things that you are proud of. If you put the emphasis on that, it will help you stay more positive<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\nReasons To Not Let Your Job Define You<\/span><\/h2>\n1. Your career isn\u2019t around forever.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nIt can be hard to let go of your job if you let it define you. Imagine that you decide to retire early, decide to be a stay-at-home parent, or you are let go of your job.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It would be very inconvenient if your status is very closely tied to your job. If a job is no longer part of your life, you can get a really hard time emotionally. Let\u2019s try and prevent that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Besides that, jobs constantly change. You will grow in your current job, change jobs, and will continue to do other things over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2. You are more than your job.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nIf work is the only thing you can talk about, it can get a little boring for the ones around. It\u2019s only one-third of your day \u2013 there is more than only working<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n![\"Woman](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\")
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/radicalfire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Woman-Thinking-While-Holding-A-Pen-MSN-1024x576.jpg\")
Image credit: IgorVetushko\/DepositPhotos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTry to follow your joy outside of work, building those outside interests. Perhaps you want to start hiking, biking, or try a new sport.\u00a0You could even go crazy and start a blog for cheap<\/a> \u2013 why not?<\/p>\nIf you\u2019re doing that, you will have a much better comeback for the original \u2018what do you do?\u2019 question.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3. Your job doesn\u2019t define your happiness<\/strong><\/p>\nEveryone in life wants to be happy and stay that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Think about it: are the people with a \u2018better\u2019 job happier?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Essentially, happiness is about valuing what you already have. What is already in your life. It\u2019s not something that comes from a higher salary or a promotion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
How To Prevent Your Job From Defining You<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019ve been letting yourself be defined by your job in the past, that\u2019s okay. If it\u2019s something that you enjoy, that\u2019s great and let\u2019s keep it that way!<\/p>\n
But if you\u2019re having a hard time finding your personality besides work, here are some tips:<\/p>\n
Most people have a job and most people have hobbies. YOU can decide which one you want to define you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Does your career define you? Do you want that?<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t derive my personal value from what I do between 9 and 5, I define myself by my hobbies<\/a>. What I love to do is something completely different compared to my job.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you love your job and you feel very connected with your job, you can let this define you.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both are fine, there is no bad choice here. Just YOUR choice.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are you unsure of what defines you? Do you want to change what defines you?<\/p>\n Think about what gives you joy \u2013 things that you love to share with other people. Things that you are proud of. If you put the emphasis on that, it will help you stay more positive<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1. Your career isn\u2019t around forever.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It can be hard to let go of your job if you let it define you. Imagine that you decide to retire early, decide to be a stay-at-home parent, or you are let go of your job.\u00a0<\/p>\n It would be very inconvenient if your status is very closely tied to your job. If a job is no longer part of your life, you can get a really hard time emotionally. Let\u2019s try and prevent that.\u00a0<\/p>\n Besides that, jobs constantly change. You will grow in your current job, change jobs, and will continue to do other things over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2. You are more than your job.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If work is the only thing you can talk about, it can get a little boring for the ones around. It\u2019s only one-third of your day \u2013 there is more than only working<\/a>!<\/p>\n Try to follow your joy outside of work, building those outside interests. Perhaps you want to start hiking, biking, or try a new sport.\u00a0You could even go crazy and start a blog for cheap<\/a> \u2013 why not?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re doing that, you will have a much better comeback for the original \u2018what do you do?\u2019 question.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3. Your job doesn\u2019t define your happiness<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone in life wants to be happy and stay that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n Think about it: are the people with a \u2018better\u2019 job happier?\u00a0<\/p>\n Essentially, happiness is about valuing what you already have. What is already in your life. It\u2019s not something that comes from a higher salary or a promotion.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been letting yourself be defined by your job in the past, that\u2019s okay. If it\u2019s something that you enjoy, that\u2019s great and let\u2019s keep it that way!<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re having a hard time finding your personality besides work, here are some tips:<\/p>\nReasons To Not Let Your Job Define You<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/radicalfire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Woman-Thinking-While-Holding-A-Pen-MSN-1024x576.jpg\"\/)
How To Prevent Your Job From Defining You<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Radical](\"https:\/\/radicalfire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Knipsel.webp\"\/)
![\"Radical](\"https:\/\/radicalfire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Knipsel.webp\")
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