We spend an average of forty to forty-eight hours a week at work. Dealing with clients, making calls, in and out of meetings; the hassle seems endless at times. Work not only has a serious effect on our emotional and physical being, but toils with our identities. Each workplace is different, and since individuals enter their profession from different paths and for different reasons, the effects will also be diverse.
Professional identity is the notion which describes how we distinguish ourselves within our professional framework and the manner in which we interconnect this with others. Some may argue that its aspects vary and evolve from shared expertise or through work socialization and observation of our peers. Professional identity is established and supported by the shared surrounding which adds to creating a common sense of cohesion amongst coworkers.
But do we really need to be someone else in the business world? Do we adopt a completely different persona in order to function and deliver as professionals? It should be obvious that we must all exhibit some self-control in our jobs, but not being able to express ourselves originally can cause us to feel inauthentic, which puts a serious strain on our identity and emotions. The internet advises us on aspects of work concerning being a great listener, managing our time and resources, learning to deal with conflicts, being confident and the list goes on. But we are led to believe that cultivating a strong persona that would distinguish you and lead you on the path to success would result in the death of our personal identity. This is a terrible misconception! Bidding farewell to what makes you unique as an individual and nurturing a robotic-like personality with a new set of skills, behaviours and qualities is the classification of the ideal professional. On the contrary, any professional advice should assist in you becoming your best you. The goal should be to capitalize on your best, unique traits and use those to impact your work life in the most professional way you could. It is all about finding the balance between your professional and personal identity and knowing when we should get both aspects involved.
Your personal identity has a direct effect on your professionalism, whether or not we can help it. But it can also help you to be your best through your career. Illuminate and dedicate yourself to your values, since they reflect what is most important to you and enables you to work in the manner of which you would like to be perceived and experienced by others. This will assist in the growth and perseverance of your true identity. Staying true to your ethics will cause you to best use all the skills, experiences and knowledge you’ve gained and shape them to be a very fundamental part of you. Remember that you are a work in progress and be proud of it. We are open to a world of endless capabilities, so there is always room for growth. Take advantage of this and you will flourish in both the professional and personal aspects.
Another grave mistake is the need to be someone else. We all have successful people whom we presume to be motivators, inspirations and mentors, but it is detrimental to one’s identity when we lose our sense of self and pattern our lives to mimic them. These people are simply successful people who have developed strong professional identities that served them well in their careers. Take all advice and mould it in a manner that will best be applied to your job and life.
Most importantly, don’t be your worst enemy. Life is already complex, and with the trials of work, you will feel overwhelmed, discouraged and stuck at times. Try to be extra kind to yourself and patient with your growth. This will help nurture your professional identity.
By RAE DAWN BRUSCH
