Have you ever thought about who you are beyond your job title? I know it’s not something we usually sit and think about, but it’s such an important question.
What if your job title disappeared tomorrow? Would you still feel like you, or would it feel like a big part of your identity was missing?
It’s so easy to let work take over, isn’t it? We spend so much time and energy on our careers that it can feel like they define us.
And let’s be honest—society doesn’t help. Promotions, achievements, and success are often treated as if they’re the only things that matter.
But here’s the truth: your job is just one part of who you are. When we let it become the part, we lose sight of everything else that makes us who we are.
When your identity gets wrapped up in work, it’s exhausting. Every win feels like it doesn’t last long enough, and every setback can feel like a personal failure.
I’ve been there, and let me tell you—it’s no way to live. You start to feel burnt out, like no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough.
But here’s the thing: your worth has absolutely nothing to do with your job title or the hours you put in. It’s about who you are, the things you care about, and how you show up in the world.
I know it’s hard to separate what you do from who you are—especially when people constantly ask, “What do you do?” It’s like your job becomes your default identity.
But what if there’s a better question to ask yourself? What if instead of focusing on what you do, you asked, ”Who am I beyond work?”
Because you are more than your job, and when you really start to see that, life feels lighter, fuller, and so much more meaningful.
This week, I’m going to look at whether you’re more than your job title, how to reconnect with the person behind your resume, and how to live authentically in all the roles you play.
Are you more than your job title?
Let’s start with the question “Are you more than your job title?” Have you ever stopped to notice how much of your identity is wrapped up in what you do for work? For a lot of us, it sneaks up so quietly that we don’t even realize it’s happening.
Think about the last time someone asked, “What do you do?” Did you feel proud to answer, or did it bring up some uncomfortable feelings, like you were being measured by your response?
When we tie our self-worth to our job, even the smallest hiccup can feel overwhelming. A missed deadline or a bit of criticism doesn’t just feel like a mistake—it starts to feel like it says something about you.
It’s no wonder we feel so much pressure to perform perfectly all the time. We’re told from a young age that hard work equals success, but what happens when you’re giving it your all and still feel like it’s not enough?
Have you ever thought, “Why can’t I just get ahead?” or “What am I doing wrong?” Those thoughts can take root so easily and make you question everything.
Maybe you’ve experienced the frustration of watching someone else get the promotion you worked so hard for. It’s not just a letdown—it’s draining, like all your effort somehow didn’t matter.
When your job defines you, those moments don’t just hurt—they start to feel personal, like proof that you’re falling short. That weight can pile up, leaving you feeling like you’re constantly chasing validation but never really getting it.
Even when you do hit a goal, the satisfaction doesn’t last long, does it? There’s always another deadline, another project, another benchmark waiting to take its place.
But here’s the thing: none of those achievements—or setbacks—define who you are. You are already enough, no matter what’s on your resume or how many goals you check off.
When you start to see your work as just one part of your life, something shifts. You stop riding the highs and lows so intensely, and life starts to feel lighter.
Your job is a piece of your life’s puzzle, not the entire picture. When you can step back and see the whole puzzle, you’ll find a sense of fulfillment that doesn’t depend on how well you perform at work.
So, if your job doesn’t define you, what does? Let’s dig deeper and discover who you really are behind the labels and titles.
Who are you beyond your resume?
Now let’s look at the question “Who are you beyond your resume?” When was the last time you let yourself think about who you are outside of work? Not the accomplishments or titles you’ve collected, but the person underneath it all—the one who exists when work isn’t front and center.
I learned this lesson firsthand when I stopped working for Ernst & Young and stayed home with my son, Brendan, for two years when he was little. It was such a strange time for me because I’d spent so many years defining myself by what I did outside my home.
Without my job title, I started to realize just how much of my identity had been wrapped up in my work. I found myself questioning, “Who am I now? What do I have to offer without my career to lean on? When people ask me what I do for a living, what do I say?”
That time taught me something important: my value wasn’t in the work I was doing, but in who I was as a person. It wasn’t an easy realization, but it opened my eyes to how much more there is to all of us than the roles we play at work.
The truth is that it’s so easy to focus on accomplishments as the measure of our value. Resumes are designed to showcase the highlights, but they rarely capture the full story of who we really are.
Have you ever looked at your resume and felt like it’s not the whole picture? Like there’s more to you than the polished version you present to employers?
Sometimes, in our effort to meet expectations, we make choices that don’t feel true to us. Maybe you’ve taken on tasks that drained you or stayed quiet in situations where you wanted to speak up.
Those little moments of compromise might not seem like much at first, but over time, they can take a toll. You start to feel out of sync with yourself, like you’re going through the motions instead of living fully.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to leave your true self at the door when you show up to work. When you make decisions that reflect your values, you can create a career—and a life—that feels more aligned.
What matters most to you? Is it connection, creativity, growth? Taking a moment to answer those questions can be a powerful way to reconnect with yourself.
For example, if one of your values is balance, maybe that means setting boundaries around your time or saying no to things that aren’t a priority. It’s not about making drastic changes—it’s about making choices that feel right for you.
I’ve been there too, feeling like I had to split myself into “work me” and “home me.” Over time, that divide felt exhausting, like I was leaving parts of myself behind.
So I started making small, intentional changes. I let more of my personality show at work, focused on projects that played to my strengths, and stopped saying yes when I meant no.
It didn’t happen overnight, but those changes made a huge difference. I started feeling more like myself—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
Your resume might list what you’ve done, but it doesn’t define who you are. The choices you make, the way you treat others, and the way you live your life—that’s what truly matters.
Once you start living in alignment with your values, everything feels different. You’re not just showing up for work—you’re showing up for yourself. And that’s a shift that can transform not only your career but your entire life.
How to live authentically in every role
Now let’s focus on how to live authentically in every role we’re in. Living authentically sounds like such a great idea, doesn’t it? But when you’re managing deadlines, family obligations, and everything in between, it can feel like an impossible balancing act.
The truth is, living authentically doesn’t mean you have to be the same person in every situation. It’s about staying grounded in who you are, even as you shift between all the roles you play.
Take a moment to think about your day-to-day life. You might go from leading a meeting at work to helping with homework at home, all while trying to fit in time for friends, errands, and maybe even yourself.
It’s no wonder we often feel pulled in a million directions. But living authentically means finding a way to show up in each role without losing sight of what’s most important to you.
The secret is making intentional choices. When you know what truly matters to you—your values—it’s easier to decide where to focus your energy and what to let go of.
For instance, if one of your values is growth, living authentically might mean choosing challenges that push you forward, even if they’re uncomfortable. Or it might mean learning to say no to things that don’t align with where you want to go.
Another way to stay authentic is to be mindful of how you manage your time and energy. Have you ever felt completely drained at the end of the day, wondering where all your energy went? That’s often a sign you’re giving too much to things that don’t align with your values.
Protecting your energy isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Simple tools like saying no, asking for help, or carving out quiet moments can make a huge difference.
Self-care also plays a big role in authenticity. And I don’t just mean pampering yourself (though that’s nice too). True self-care is about giving yourself the space to recharge and reconnect with what matters most to you.
For example, taking a 10-minute walk or journaling can help you check in with yourself. Even a brief pause in your day to breathe and refocus can make it easier to show up authentically in the moments that follow.
Here’s a thought: what if you started each day asking, “How do I want to show up today?” Not perfectly, but in a way that feels true to who you are.
It’s not about doing it all or being everything to everyone. It’s about letting your values guide you, even in the chaos. When you make decisions from that place, you’ll feel more aligned and less stretched thin.
I’ve learned that when you stay true to yourself, you don’t just benefit—you inspire the people around you, too. The amazing thing is that authenticity has a ripple effect that can strengthen your relationships and even make work feel more meaningful.
The good news is, living authentically doesn’t require massive changes. It’s about small, consistent choices that reflect who you are and what matters most.
The bottom line is that when you do this, life starts to feel more like yours. You’re not just checking off boxes—you’re creating a life that truly reflects you. And that’s a powerful thing.
Questions to consider:
Question: “Am I making decisions that align with my core values?” This question helps you reflect on whether your actions and decisions are truly in line with what matters most to you. It’s easy to get caught up in external expectations or pressures, especially at work, but aligning your decisions with your core values is key to living authentically.
Question: “Do I have effective boundaries in place that protect my time and energy?” Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining balance and ensuring that you’re not overcommitting or stretching yourself too thin. Without clear boundaries, it’s easy to lose sight of your priorities and end up feeling drained or unfulfilled.
Question: “How can I be more myself in my daily interactions?” Being yourself when you interact with others helps you build stronger, more genuine relationships. It also makes you feel more connected and happier. When you consistently act like your true self, you’re likely to feel more satisfied in both your personal and work life.