What do you do?
identity, purpose and paying bills
Our personal Labels
When you are introduced to someone, you might discuss the weather, what you are eating, or most commonly, you might ask ‘and what do you do?’
For many of us, what we ‘do’ pays our bills, others have a side hustle they love. For alot of people what they do or their purpose is a significant part of how they define themselves. At a time where job security is volatile, especially in some industries, having an income or job is a positive thing. But how can we answer ‘what do you do?’ if you have not idea what to say. The question of what do you do is almost like asking, what is your own personal label?
It’s interesting that in our culture our job or career seems to define us. When someone asks 'what do you do?' it can create a panic in the person being asked, where they want to shrink into a ball. Then when an answer is given, if the answer is considered sub-par, comments are fired;
‘Oh that’s…um, interesting'. 'Ah, right…well…someone has to do it'. 'Oh. I s’pose you have to be grateful that you have a job'.
In this warped time some people are finding themselves sandwiched: no work, part-time hours agreed-to, but no change to the demands of the position. Some people have been made redundant, others were even convinced into job share roles not quite sure of their future in roles. loss of career, job, or career being put ‘on hold’ can affect people deeply. A person and their sense of identity and purpose can be lost.
So if we don’t ask a person we first meet, what do you do? What can we ask? An alternative to the common question ‘what do you do?’ could be from this point forward, what 'makes you happy?
For an unashamedly feminist career manifesto, a good read is 'Not Just Lucky – Why women do the work but don’t take the credit'. By Jamila Rizvi.
Words By
Anita La Forgia
Life learner, multipotentialite, lifestyle elevator and creator
A treechanger who cooks to elevate life. Anita is passionate foodie using local, quality and seasonal ingredients. Living in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria she frequents the local farmers markets each week, with her beloved luggy. Her grandparents instilled the life skills of sustainable living, before sustainable living was a buzz word. She grew up in a restaurant and completing her International degree at César Ritz colleges in Switzerland, the heart land of hospitality, food and service.
Feature image: Upsplash