Identity of work

We invest much of ourselves, our time, our energy and our expectations, in our work.

It is for many the way we define ourselves. One of the first things we are asked when meeting someone new is “what do you do?” or “where do you work?”. My answer to that question the other week sparked my thoughts for today.

“I work for myself.”

But even though I meant the answer in the most literal sense, I am my own employer, it actually comes inherent with a broader meaning as well. I figuratively work for myself as well – in that what I do is for me, the projects that I take or don’t take. My work feeds my mind and soul (as well as putting food on the table).

I love what I do, which I guess makes me lucky, but not alone. For even people who have jobs that you might think of as mundane, find challenge and engagement in what they do.

In her column in the weekend Australian this past Saturday, Ruth Ostrow tells of two young men who have the same job but with very different attitudes to what they do. One just passing the time until he can leave for the day, the other who loves the opportunities it affords him. In the truest sense, the latter is “working for himself”.

It really doesn’t matter whether you work for someone else or are self employed, you can and should “work for yourself”. Not from a perspective of self-interest above all else, but that the work you do, even if it is not exactly what you would like to be doing, is an opportunity.

Great employers realise this and make sure that everyone can draw some sense of identity and pride from what they do. There is little that can be offered to people that is more valuable and appreciated.

The whole identity we take from work is also explored in different ways in Alaine de Botton’s new book The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work, and in one of my favourite books Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly.

In the coming couple of weeks I am going to use each of these to further explore the identity of work. Given how much time we spend on work, we think remarkably little about its meaning.

Who do you work for?

Alignment is Michel’s passion. Through her work with Brandology here in Australia, and Brand Alignment Group in the United States, she helps organisations align who they are, with what they do and say to build more authentic and sustainable brands.

To see more Michel Hogan blogs, click here.