Most of us were taught that people are full of flaws and only the good ones accept others for who they are. For thirteen years, I have introduced myself to new acquaintances, neighbours, social media and in almost every social context as a Business Development Manager, Franchise Sales Manager and more titles that I held during my career until I decided to quit my job.
My challenge then was how to define myself being jobless. I started recalling the days when I was younger before having career. I found out that I used to define myself in terms of my study major, my grades and my order on the list of top students.
So now as I have graduated and quit my job, I literally lost my identity, role, value, importance, simply my whole self.
Whole self? Does this mean I am only a job description and my GPAs?
The answer is a resounding ‘no’. My job title does not represent who I am. It does not reflect my personality. It does not prove that I have integrity, ethics or deserve respect. It does not take into account my passions, interests, beliefs, thoughts, qualities and traits. My job title is just a tiny representation of me; it could be held by many other people who are not me.
My job does not define me. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a supportive friend. I am a horse-rider, piano player, lover of food, pet-lover, and bad cook. I am much more than my job title tells about me.
I do not mean that professional success should be underestimated or neglected. Your career adds to your sense of fulfilment. It is essential to make a living but do not forget to make a life.
Your professional aspect of life should be resized, reshaped to assure you still have balance, you are still in control and you are not eaten up.
Make yourself good memories. Make sure to have something to talk about after retirement other than your job and still can define yourself in terms irrelevant to your profession.
- The reader is a business consultant
