Who are you, what do you do?

You Are Not What You Do.

You are you, and what you do is what you do. 

In a recent session I was asked by a participant, “…I am a _____. But if I change my methodology or media, am I no longer valid?  Do I have to start over again?”

If you label yourself, which confines you to the activity which you are named, then you would invalidate your label by changing it.  How would your followers take this? 

My participant is an artist and was labeled with 1 form of artmaking.  She labels herself as a painter and wondered if she began doing one-of-a-kind prints, would that invalidate her.  Well, sure, she would no longer be a painter.  Thus, does it make sense to label yourself as a painter?  But will this also invalidate her as an Artist who is still influenced and inspired by the same stimuli?  If you label yourself, it could.

What if you sell real estate and subsequently move on to another discipline, would you invalidate yourself? 

This dilemma will follow anyone who labels themselves as what they do AT THIS TIME!  If you change your methodology or change your “Job” but still work on the same ideals and goals, why do you have to re-invent yourself?

You are who you are, not what you do.

Many people find it difficult to talk about themselves and their work,

 I guide people to find their story and learn to tell it effectively.

I am Mike O’Connor, this is what I do, regardless of how I do it, the outcome is the same!