Identity Crisis: Why Defining Yourself by Your Career Is a Problem

One way to develop a healthier relationship with your career may be to visualize its end. “The party’s going to finish,” says HBS Professor and co-author (with Oprah Winfrey) of "Build the Life You Want" Arthur C. Brooks. Here are some steps you can take to mentally and emotionally prepare for the inevitable.

00:00 People in business play their own form of identity politics
01:00 Identities based on fear (of death)
01:50 What to do: a death meditation
03:30 A 9-part meditation you can try

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[ishtiakjordge]

"Engineer different good times under different circumstances" Wow!! this is wisdom. Thank you

[MyonlyGinger]

That is exactly what happened to me after working in a company for more than 16 years and initially believing that everyone was my friend or believed in me. But things have changed over the years; we've grown apart, there have been disagreements, and the most frightening thing has been my layoff last year. I was devastated at first and grew bitter. However, I am grateful to the people who have stood by my side outside of my corporate job, such as church and family, and who have helped me to reflect and not to be worried in facing the reality. I am now happier than I ever was in my previous company. Not only that, but I am in a job with great deal of flexibility, even full-time work from home.

[heemagauss]

I lost my job as a wireless engineer at Huawei in Sudan, right after the war started before year and half, suffered from identity crisis because of that, until I learned to deattach and redifine myself
Wish saw this video earlier ☆

[RidaFathima-zu]

I am 21. And I just realised that I've been in an identity crisis from when I was 13. This video blew my mind, cuz I realised where I've been going wrong all my life. Thankyou so much for this.

[StrategicThinkingLeaders]

It's easy to get lost in our careers and let them define us, but true fulfillment comes from embracing all aspects of our identity. Shifting focus from job titles to personal values can lead to a more balanced and joyful life.

[RakeanRadya]

I love this new Arthur Brooks series from HBR, he brings this tone of breezy candidness that balances the elegant seriousness of the subject matter. Please keep this up!

[uguremirmustafaoglu]

Wow, I am neither a budhist nor heard this idea before but whenever I feel like I will fail, I close my eyes and imagine my funeral. It is a complete relief.

[maciejdworzanski]

Wow! My jaw is somewhere on the floor now. Didn't expect this depth and spirituality from HBR. Amazing video, and so inspiring! Big thanks

[ChantalA]

Americans are OBSESSED with work. The very first thing you get asked after meeting somebody other than your name is "What do you do for a living?" and no matter your response, you are instantly judged for the career path you chose, how much income you're assumed to have, and how successful you are or aren't in your field. And Heaven forbid if you're unemployed in this economy! In 100 years, you won't be around so why obsess so much about work? Or let others' useless opinions impact your sense of self?

[per_growth]

This is really helpful. For the past few years - I've been telling myself that my financial success cannot be the ONE THING that identifies me. I never thought of it as fear - but now that it's explained in this context - it is fear. The fear of failing (at least in your mind). Incredible insight.

[muzzammilaltaf]

I am seeing this, hearing this, feeling this at a moment in time in my life when I have been contemplating this. Arthur has a direct way of sharing a topic that most would consider sensitive, yet it has resonated with me in a good way. Looking forward to exploring this book sometime.

[nespodzany]

I think I had several micro-anxiety attacks watching this video

[JimDubendorf]

The death meditation is also known in the western/christian practice as “momento mori”. Very powerful practice. I appreciate your commentary, thank you!

[grandjette]

Aside from letting go and being grateful for the opportunity to be part of building up society, I have a desire to continue being part of building up society in my own little way. Rather than looking at success in grandiosity, I want to reconnect and witness the growth of virtues in others.

[ryan]

this video’s take really clicks with some of the things I've been reading in unveiling your hidden potential by bruce thornwood

[mylesnmore]

His take is "admit the truth, it all sorta doesnt matter" is sorta feudalistic but i get it. But the TRUTH is you have inherent worth because you are a human being! You are ALIVE today and you are LOVED by others and by God. You need to explore and live in that love. Today, 150, 000 people will cease to exist (statistically) but you will live today and there will not be another like you. You are valuable and that is why you dont put your identity in a career because YOU ARE MORE than a career not because "oh well, i will die one day so my career doesn't really matter" . I worry he has taken "positive thinking" and put it into "positive thinking negatively about 'reality of outcomes in the future" but the real answer is deeper than that. You are more than what you do.

[andrewjpalla]

This video is so intense. Exposure therapy to the worst possible fears.

[urigarcia]

“Engeneer new good times under diferent circumstances” is gold

[saurovfayzulla]

Yes, feeling afraid, fearful, or failing is normal, and I think we often feel anxious about it and about what people think. What should I do? Arthur’s remark about meditation being one of the good solutions to our problems is helpful.

[lokhandetejasliladhar]

'Managing your life as a project' - Wowww level analogy