Redefine Your Story: Who You Are, Not What You’ve Done

SHOW NOTES:

On this show… I’m inviting you to step out of your résumé and into your real self as we redefine your story because it’s about who you are, not just what you’ve done. In a world obsessed with titles and accomplishments, we’re exploring the depth of identity that extends far beyond a job title. Let’s peel back the layers, laugh at our own career clichés, and reclaim the core traits that make us resilient, creative, and deeply human.

We’ll explore how your strengths, values, and patterns, not your latest promotion, are the real engines of your career and your purpose. I’ll walk you through simple, fun, yet soul-stirring exercises that coax out the traits you might’ve tucked away. Ready for a journey back to you? 

Let’s start with a bold idea: You are not your job. Now, before your inner overachiever starts to panic, this doesn’t mean your work isn’t important. It simply means it’s not all of who you are. And yet, so many of us introduce ourselves by title and task: “I’m a project manager,” “I work in healthcare,” “I run operations.” We rarely say, “I’m a creative problem solver,” “a compassionate truth-teller,” or “someone who finds peace in helping others thrive.” But that’s who we really are.

Our culture tends to equate identity with productivity. From the time we’re kids, we’re asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” not “Who are you becoming?” That question plants the seed that our value lies in output, not in essence. But identity is far richer. It includes your values, your patterns, the way you naturally show up for people, and how you interpret the world around you. What energizes you? What makes you feel alive? These are the clues that point to your core identity, whether you’re in the boardroom, the classroom, or between jobs.

Let’s go deeper: psychologists call this “narrative identity.” It’s the internal story we tell ourselves about who we are and why we matter. And here’s the kicker: it’s not just based on our accomplishments. It’s shaped by the meaning we assign to those moments. Did you show courage in a difficult season? Did you pivot when things fell apart? Those aren’t just résumé gaps or achievements; they’re identity anchors.

If you’ve ever had a job loss, career shift, or even retirement, you may have felt the sudden “Who am I now?” freefall. That’s what happens when our identity is overly fused with our role. But what if instead, we zoomed out and saw our careers as just one expression of who we are, not the whole story? That’s what this episode is about. Helping you get reacquainted with yourself, not your skill set.

Stop Making Work Your Identity

How to Find Passion Outside of the Workplace

How to Rediscover Yourself After a Major Change

CHALLENGE: Stop leading with what you’ve done and start rediscovering who you truly are. Reconnect with the traits, values, and passions that make you you—and let those shine in everything you do.

I Know YOU Can Do It!