How many of you identify yourself by your job title?

What made me think of this was last weekend, hanging out with friends. One of them introduced me to his work friends, going around the circle with our names and job titles, as if that summed up who we are.

And it got me thinking, how many of us truly put all of our identity, all of our value, into what we do for a living? Because I’ll tell you, friends, what’s going to happen to that value and that identity when you no longer have that job? Who are you then? So here’s the takeaway: you are more than your job. You are more than your job title.

Here’s the thing—jobs come and go. Maybe you lose interest, maybe you move on, or maybe life shakes things up and forces a change. And when that happens, if your whole identity is wrapped up in your work, it’s like losing a piece of yourself. You’re left thinking, “Who am I without this?” But life should never be defined by what’s on your business card.

So next time you introduce someone, try this: instead of leading with their job, share something quirky, funny, or real about them. Say, “This is Sam—she’s obsessed with haunted house tours,” or “This is Alex, he makes the best margaritas you’ll ever taste.” Not only does it keep the conversation interesting, but it reminds everyone that we’re whole people, not just what we do from 9 to 5.

My job does not define me; my passions, kindness, and resilience do.