We live in a society that seems to be having an identity crisis. While this is common for people to go through in life, we are experiencing it on a national and international stage as well. An identity crisis simply means a period or episode of psychological distress, often occurring in adolescence but sometimes in adulthood, when a person seeks a clearer sense of self and an acceptable role in society. People are often searching to find the answer to ‘where do I fit?’ and ‘what is my purpose?’. The answers to these questions, once you decide on something, will shape much of what you do in life and who you become. What we are often sold is that identity can be found in positions or titles. So if we pour ourselves into striving for a particular role then we will, somewhere along the way, discover purpose and significance.

The reality is that you may scale the heights of power and success and attain wealth and prestige, but do they actually give you a meaningful identity? Does it make you happier when you look in the mirror, does it make what you do meaningful? Over years of leadership and counselling I have discovered that wealth, position, achievements, and titles have very little to do with someone’s significance as a person. We must be more concerned with who we are then what we do. If we are then we can do anything really and find true contentment in it because it doesn’t define us, who we are defines us.

If you can settle the ‘who am I?’ question in yourself then you can find true enjoyment in almost anything. Imagine not having to prove yourself to anyone, where striving is not part of how you go about life. This doesn’t mean we don’t work hard, it just means we know why we do what we do and it can be done in a healthy way. I am valued and I have particular strengths and gifts and I am going to be the best version of me that I possibly can be. If i can do that then I can look at the mirror and be content with who I am and know that I am succeeding. Do not let others define who you are, you will be constantly striving and never enough. Do not try and be someone else because you were never made to be them and you’ll be constantly disappointed and frustrated. Be happy with ‘who you are’, then ‘what you do’ takes on a different meaning and it will never have to define you. Who are you?