What You Do is Not Who You Are
“For most a career is tied into self-actualization, a dream that is realized. Thus, when you are asked who you are more often than not you would introduce yourself as your career.”
Self-worth is defined as the sense of one’s own value or worth as a person. Many people today do not have a strong sense of value, yet this is said to be a definer in life and in a person’s career.
To find out more about self-worth, 99FM’s MYD Smart sat down with Anthony Auchab, a motivational speaker and the founder of the Bridge Institute of Learning.
99FM’s MYD Smart asked :
How important is self-worth in a career?
“More often than not we derive our identity from what we do. We are taught that we are what we do. The value we attach to ourselves is resulting from that identity that we obtain through our career. For most a career is tied into self-actualization, a dream that is realized. Thus, when you are asked who you are more often than not you would introduce yourself as your career.”
Why is this?
“It has become a measuring tool of purpose and belonging, and that is not always healthy. You cannot base your self-worth on what you do. A lawyer would have a greater sense of self-worth than a cleaner if that were the case.”
Can your career develop your sense of self-worth?
“Not necessarily. Many of us are in jobs or professions where we still struggle to define our purpose. A career is part of the bigger puzzle. It is important to aim for holistic well being. That includes your career as well as other aspects of your life i.e. relationships, health and so on. Therefore an ideal career is not exclusively an indicator of a healthy sense of self-worth.”
How does one develop a sense of self worth?
“It is a process that begins with personal awareness, knowing who you are and that is not always an easy thing to do. Accepting yourself, exploring your options and basically doing what you like or following your passion adds to quality of life and self-worth is at the centre of that. Am I doing something worthwhile? Am I contributing to the bigger picture? You need to find value in who you are first. Personal awareness is the beginning with some key questions like: Who am I? What do I want in life? How am I standing in my own way? It starts with questions and the answers require digging.”
Tell us about your career, what you do and how you got to where you are?
“Through the years, I have steadily drifted towards public speaking with a focus on personal growth, development and motivation. I could say that I speak for a living. I do life coaching; I am an educator and an entrepreneur. My career is people advancement. I work with a lot of people and organizations in helping people establish: a life purpose, work/life balance, and sense of-self-confidence/self esteem. I am merely following my passion and its something that comes naturally. I am deeply tuned into people.”
Does your career bring you a sense of self-worth?
“Yes it does. I am people-oriented and am a sucker for potential therefore getting someone to realize their life-goal and acting on their potential makes me very happy. I know that I am making a difference one person at a time and that is my worth.”
What’s been the most important advice you ever received in business?
“Relentless execution. Action changes things. Whatever your goal or dream execute relentlessly. Be in the frame of mind that you should always execute. That is the direct opposite of having ideas and never acting on them. The best advice I received is to execute relentlessly, not only in business but in your personal life as well.”
Get in touch with Anthony Auchab by visiting his Facebook page : Anthony Williams Auchab