These past couple of months have been an inner-seeking journey to actually challenge myself to find what makes me, not what defines me. If you have read any of my past posts you will have noticed that I am a person that is very competitive, especially with myself. However, as of late this competitive drive within my work has become to me, realistically, satisfactory. In other words, what defines me no longer satisfies what makes me. Ponder that for yourself. What actually causes you to get up every morning? What causes you to go to work? What drives you to do the things you do?
These past couple of days I have been sick and through this time my meandering thoughts have intensified around what makes me? Keep in mind, I am not looking at what defines me. To me defining are things such as traits (i.e. character). What makes you are the things you do, the actions you carry out as a result of what defines you. Personally, the biggest fulfillment, everything I hold dear especially when it comes to my work boils down to one single word – meaning (some may call it purpose). Its not about the pay check. Its not about the signature, the recognition, the awards, the gratitude, the people and so forth.
Sure, we all want to earn that little bit more every step along the way. We all want to be recognized with our achievements whether you want to prove it to yourself on how far you can or are willing to go or your satisfaction comes from proving others. Yes, we enjoy awards and gratitude from our boss and colleagues, friends and family. We all want to make that move into financial security and move up the ladder. Feel secure in our jobs. But honestly, is that what makes who you are?
In the end if you strip it down to the bare bones of your current job role, think about this. Is what I am currently doing something I love doing? Is my performance (i.e. rating like at IBM, P&G, etc.) really what we strive for? Dont misunderstand me here. I agree that any organization needs to carry out performance reviews, however the end goal of the performance review should not only be to reward someone that goes above and beyond but it should be an opportunity to reflect on a regular basis not only how others perceive you (i.e. your boss), but rather should be a moment of self reflection of where you currently stand.
Are you doing what your doing just to pay the bills, be able to afford luxuries such as travel, a home, a vacation home, a second car? Or are you doing what your doing because you absolutely love it? It is unfortunate that we humans are a species satisfied with comforts. The easier something is the more routine it becomes trapping us in our little comfort zones instead of actually tackling those things in life that really mean something to you. Believe me, if your sitting there reading this or have ever just sat somewhere and pondered to yourself what you want to do and what you are doing is just not where you want yourself to be at the moment, than this my friend has nothing to do with an identity crisis. Its a hard process called “rediscovering your heart.”
Frankly, I love my life. I cant complain about the haves and have-nots. My personal endeavors allow me to go above and beyond. To risk things and create things like my startup, my own business, a non-profit. Im in a wonderful relationship with a beautiful women. I have an amazing family and that includes everyone. I have a great job, but I believe that there is so much more to life than my work performance. Its time to make meaning of it. To do something that benefits our community. Society. Mankind.
Be true to yourself. What makes you? Is it money? Is it a signature at the end of your email? Is it your fear of debt and loss? Is it financial insecurity? Is it family? Is it friends? God put you on this earth for a purpose. Don’t waste it. Seek your heart and find that thing. That thing that you know when in 35 years you look back on, you will never regret.
Maybe at the moment your doing what you do just to pay the bills so you can move towards that one thing. If so, than hat off my friend. If your sitting there pondering what makes you, than seek your heart and understand what defines you.
For me, the time has come – meaning – encompass it throughout your whole strand of life. Work, family, kids, financially, friends, luxuries, etc.
Seek and you shall find.