“Dissolve Your Identity” Part 2: Work and The Sweat Off Your Brow

“Work, work, work.” - Rihanna

In our previous article, we talked about the importance of focusing on what you do rather than your job title. There,  we emphasized the problem with titles and the barriers they create. Today, we’re focused on another important reminder about identifying with your work and the dangers of defining yourself through your work. 

For people working in development, nonprofit, and social enterprise, it is exciting and draining in equal measure because of the immense pressure we put on ourselves knowing that we are seeking to make a difference and serve a purpose rather than seek a mere paycheck. Younger professionals are extremely prone to this kind of excitement that inspires them to rush to their workspaces and get things done, even to the point some are so excited that they continue to talk about work during Happy Hour when having margaritas with friends who would rather not talk about work aside from venting about what’s stressing them out. The anxiety also comes in the form of both feeling like an inadequate impostor or the pressure of needing to do more, which quickly leads to burnout. 

One thing people who experience this burnout is because of focusing so much of their time and identity together into their work. If what you do were truly part of your identity, you’re still falling into the same trap people who focus on job titles have, which is that it is contingent upon your employment and employer. Neither your job title nor your job duties, however fancy the former is or how dedicated and proficient you are in the latter, will mean anything in another context such as getting lost in a remote area after losing your phone signal, battery, and GPS. Even in other contexts, such as buying groceries, dating people, and washing dishes changes with your job title or your hours spent working. 

Part of the reason people are drawn into work in nonprofit and related fields is something in their core personality and character, and their work and titles are supposed to reflect that rather than be something that an individual conforms to in order to fit their mental fantasy. 

According to some, Marlon Brando, late legendary actor best known for his work as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, was known to introduce himself simply as “Marlon” and not want to be called “Mr. Brando” or be known as an actor or for the great work he has done. Likewise, former US president Bill Clinton was known not for talking about being president or former president unless asked, as he is known for letting anyone he was talking with feel as though his complete attention was focused on them. While this is a form of charisma, what is common between Marlon and Bill is that neither of them focus on their work or their titles as part of their identity, but because of the respect they gain as individuals, they end up having people look for that same character in their professional lives and the title either reflects or becomes a massive understatement for the immense presence they have. 

Their identities are defined by their interpersonal skills, as you can be a consummate and dedicated professional, but we work with other people and live with other people, and anyone can acquire skills and experience, but we can’t replace a human being. 

You won’t get to know a human being through job titles or just performance at work alone. You also don’t get to be a human being when you are trying to push the image you want to push through a job title or work performance. 

While it is important to be a professional and fulfill your job duties, the strength of an organization’s mission statement and philosophy should be something that helps with your own self-improvement and growth as both an individual and professional. In other words, your work works for you just as much as you work for your work. No person on their deathbed wishes that they worked more or thinks of the best epitaph on their tombstone–actually, people remember you for who you are. 

Dissolving identity when it comes to work involves focusing on your duties without sacrificing your sense of self in order to create an identity around your work. Creating an identity around your work or job title results in loss of personal development and growth, and can lead to burnout, which in turn leads to drop in productivity and efficiency. Taking pride in your work doesn’t mean becoming your work. 

Here’s another question to ponder after last week’s reflection: if you had no job title or job duties, and no work history, what would make you a desirable employee, manager, or leader? What and who would you be without a job title, work history, or duties?