I am... an underwear model??

Posted by Nicki Peasley Share Your Voice

Smart Blogger Christina Haxton challenges her readers with the question, “Do you confuse what you do with who you are?”

We’ve all been there.  At a cocktail party or on the sidelines of your kid’s sporting event.  You meet someone new and the first question they ask is, “So what do you do?” And we answer with a title, a company affiliation—some indication of our status in the food chain of society.

And when we stand back and dissect the conversation, we see that what we DO is not who we BE.   There was a time at Bounce when we contemplated titles for our business cards—what if we all just had “human being” beside our name?   As a young company finding our place in the world, we weren’t ready for that bold step… and now…I wonder what “titles” we would consider putting by our names.

For many people, this “what do you do” question poses an identity crisis.  Haxton points to retired CEO’s as victims of this and I can speak personally to this crisis as a one time “stay –at- home mom.”   I remember choosing to respond to this question once with “I am a temporarily retired teacher who dabbles in underwear modeling.”  (the modeling a one time deal for a friend J). 

And to Haxton’s point, why not say, “I am an amazing mom.”  Or “I am trustworthy friend.” Or “I am content and happy.”  I love this as this is how we begin many of our circles—with affirmations of who we be (leaving the titles behind).

Haxton proposes we start a movement to this end (We love a movement).  Let’s leverage some shock value and answer “What do you do?”  with who we really are.

Here’s Haxton's 5 step practice to prepare you for the question, anytime and anywhere.

• Ask yourself “Who am I?
• Say the answer right now, out loud.
• Ask it again.
• Answer again.
• Repeat (because practice makes perfect!)

⇐ Previous Post: I am... an underwear m... Next Post: MLK Middle School Team... ⇒

Nicki Peasley I am the CEO of my home, managing a team consisting of a 40 year old, an 11 year old, an 8 year old, and a 6 year old. In my spare time, I am the YOUth development director for Bounce, writing curriculums and working (playing and learning) with elementary and middle school youth.