What's your advice on not making your career your identity?

3 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 27,2025 at 9:10PM UTC

   I think the biggest piece of advice is to always keep before you the real possibility, however hypothetical, that your job and/or your career could be gone in an instant. In this topsy turvy world of ours where industries often evolve rapidly, there are no guarantees that any one that's in the workforce right now, will be in the coming months or even years. While it's wise to do and be the best at what you do work wise, don't let it define you. Make sure that your life represents a well-rounded balance away from office too. All the best!

2. AnonymousJanuary 27,2025 at 10:15PM UTC

   My work has always defined my working life persona. The home life persona is always willing to help others. I've learned to shut down and switch to home life. Not sure where you are in your work life years, but I can promise you when you leave this world, no one cares how you earned your living, they care about you, the person and how you treated others. Focus on you, your loved ones, and when you're not on the clock for work, clock in on your home life.

3. AnonymousJanuary 28,2025 at 1:49PM UTC

   The first step is letting go of that expectation that a job is your career. It can be but sometimes it's just a way to make a living to enjoy your life. Second step is letting go of that idea that everyone has to have a career. What do you want to do? Where do you want to work? What makes you happy? (stress that 3rd question)

   I sense that at this point, you might be coming to the disillusionment phase of life where you have realized that a lot of the things you were told as a younger person are BS. It is a hard reality to face and a harder journey to go through. I don't know there is any great advice for it other than focus on the things that make you happy and feel like You, the rest of is just window dressing.