Who Are You Without the Titles?
Ryan Gonsalves
Tackling Athlete Career Transition & Literacy | Helping entrepreneurs running $2M-$50M Revenue Businesses Ignite Growth | Certified Advisory Board Chair | Career & Business Coach | Systems Thinker | Former Pro Athlete
What if I told you that stepping away from your job title could lead you to discover your true self?
This time of year is the perfect time to think about who we are and want to become.
Have you ever felt your identity is wrapped up in your job title or accomplishments? These labels can be both empowering and limiting.
As I prepare for the end of this year, I'm exploring why letting go of my labels, and the long list of accreditations I hold will lead to personal and business growth - and how you can benefit, too.
Have You Ever Asked Yourself, “Who Am I Without This?”
We often carry labels that define us, sometimes in just three letters: MBA, OLY, CFA, CEO, BMX. These acronyms can signify our achievements, passions, or careers. But what happens when they no longer apply?
In January 2020, Josh, a recent guest on my podcast, made a bold decision. He stepped away from BMX, the sport that had shaped his identity, to ask himself, “Who am I without those three letters attached to my name?”
Maybe your acronym is different, but the feeling is universal. Have you ever felt your sense of self was tied to your job, title, or accomplishments? It’s scary to let go of what you know, but stepping away can create space for something even more remarkable.
This isn’t just Josh’s story. It could be yours too.
Why Letting Go Can Lead to Growth
Our acronyms and titles can give us pride, belonging, and recognition. But they can also become walls we hide behind, stopping us from exploring who we are at our core.
Josh’s words hit home:
“In January 2020, I decided to stop riding BMX altogether and figure out who I was without those three letters attached to my identity.”
By letting go, Josh discovered his worth wasn’t tied to his sport. Instead, it was rooted in his unique skills, values, and the person he was becoming.
What about you? Is there a label you’re holding onto that no longer serves you? Could stepping away help you rediscover the real you?
How to Redefine Yourself
You don’t need all the answers right now. The journey of self-discovery starts with small steps.
-Ask the Hard Questions,
-Experiment with New Interests and
-Find your support crew... surround yourself with people who see you…not just your titles or achievements. Their perspective can be invaluable as you navigate change.
Remember:
You are more than an acronym. And, as Maya Angelou is quoted,
"You are not a prisoner of your past, but a pioneer of your future.”
Guide
Discovering Your Core: A Vision Board Exercise for Career Exploration
This exercise will help as you seek to explore and align your career with your true passions, strengths, and values.
Whether you’re at a crossroads in your professional journey or simply looking to gain deeper self-awareness, this short exercise will guide you in uncovering the essence of who you are beyond traditional roles and titles.
Here’s an exercise to Be Creative by Designing a Career You Love
By reflecting on what genuinely excites and fulfills you, you’ll open the door to more meaningful career paths and life pursuits.
Connect
Join the conversation.
Thanks to people like you, the 2ndwind Academy Podcast has grown by over 41% this past year. But, to get better I need your feedback.
Subscribe on the YouTube channel to check out more insights and join the community of athletes navigating their career transitions. 2ndwind.Academy on YouTube!
Vice President Real Time Payments at Mastercard
7moThis is great Ryan. Focus on titles can lead to narrow thinking, a team needs empowerment to think what they bring to a task or to the wider culture. Some of the biggest wins I have seen in my career are driven from those comfortable to challenge those with bigger titles or qualifications. Need a safe space to develop creative thinking and team building.
Director - Strategy and Planning at HSBC UK
8moThanks for sharing such an interesting post Ryan. Many of us attach so much of our identity to our labels - whether in our roles at work, within our families, or through sport. While these labels can provide confidence and a sense of purpose in our lives, they can make us feel unmoored when faced with major transitions, like redundancy, injury, or our children flying the nest. Your post reminded me of the interesting Buddhist concept of anatman, translated as ‘no-self’. This teaches that our self-concepts are ultimately illusions, and by letting go of these attachments we can open the door to inner transformation. I look forward to reading more of your posts 👍🏻
Former banker now a Church Minister focusing on serving the community.
8moLove this Ryan, it’s a great topic. I went through something similar, when I quit Banking 2 years ago. I had reached a pinnacle that I never thought I would but it meant little when I walked away to spend time with family. Haven’t regretted it since and I’ve started my second career as a church minister, post self discovery.
Curious about growth, leadership & mastery. Sharing what I find
8moLove this Ryan! Needed conversations