Identity Shift - Be Who You Are, Not What You Do. | Eric James | TEDxMSUDenver

Jobs are important, but aren't YOU more important? Quality of life and our sense of self is so much more than just our job, yet one of the first questions we ask someone is, "what do you do?" In fact, one of the first questions we ask of our kiddos is, "what do you want to be when you grow up?". These questions only reinforce the cultural ways that work becomes a huge part of our identity. But what if we could make small tweaks to focus on what kind of person we want to be rather than what we do, these small shifts can begin to bring back more quality in our lives. As a professor of communication, I discuss the importance of changing the way we talk about work and give several steps to help you begin thinking of yourself (and others) differently starting today. Eric James has had many jobs. From counting five-cent aluminum can deposits in Vermont, to convincing people to keep their overpriced America Online dial-up internet access, to balancing dan-dan noodles and chicken dumpling soups as a PF Chang’s food runner. The way those jobs have defined Eric, and the significance of work more generally in our lives, has always seemed curious to him. That’s why he now studies organizational communication as an associate professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Ph.D. in communication studies from Texas A&M in 2014. He researches issues relating to workplace wellness, organizational identity and control. He has been published in a variety of outlets including the Journal of Applied Communication Research, Management Communication Quarterly and Communication & Sport. When he’s not working, Eric is chasing around his two boys with partner Kathryn, or enjoying the outdoors, on the slopes or on the trails. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@yz4043]

This is why I work in data entry because it comes easily to me and I have zero emotional attachments to it. It's just my job not my life. My life is full of so much more! I love spending time in nature, visiting museums, reading about spirituality, spending time with loved ones. I am expressive, curious, thoughtful and kind not just a data entry clerk. I am human 😊

[@ericjames6464]

I love this! You are doing it right! Take time to be human - It should be a fundamental human right!

[@limeafo]

Really liked the ownership of your time as mentioned here.
Thank you.
For your replies of volunteering, and replying to the boss’s request for extra shifts, let your yes be a yes and your no be a no, without being apologetic about it.

[@IsaacHolyoak]

This one is going on the fridge: be who you are, not what you do. Nice talk.

[@francislowe5036]

Wonderful,Dr James.I agree .

[@travisgreene29]

Great talk! Love the insight :)

[@allizerl4261]

Awesome talk! really enjoyed it!

[@SreemoyiC]

This is a gem of a talk. The cultural totems indeed pull us down, often at a subconscious level. Identity crisis begins to sprout in those fissures.
Thankyou Professor, grateful 🌷🙏

[@smilemovies7803]

Keep it up Good Work

[@alive3589]

3589th view 100th like 6th comment

[@ayoogundimu3087]

I am righteousness of God

[@Bookooky]

Cope