Recognition v. Recognized
Too often we confuse what we do with who we are.
After you introduce yourself, what’s the next thing you ask when you first meet someone? Nine times out of ten, you ask them what they do for a living. It's so common to ask someone what they spend the majority of their time doing when we're getting to know someone. In this ask, we subtly attach their value to their profession.
In reality, we care a lot more about someone than just what their job title is. You see, when we respond to the question, “What do you do?” with our profession we leave out the actual identifiers of what you do, we leave out what we really do. In my experience, how we respond to that question comes down to whether we want to receive recognition or be recognized. Here’s what I mean.
Recognition; Looking for the reward of praise for what we do so that we find value. Recognition is:
temporary
conditional
based on others’ perception
keeps from arriving
Recognized; Familiarity with one’s own value so that others feel comfortable in our presence. Recognized is:
long-lasting
unconditional
based on self-worth
allows for living in the present
The thing that stands out to me the most when I think about recognition and recognizing is that the former keeps one in the constant achievement mode. If we’re living for the recognition of others, for the praise of others, we’re always chasing someone’s perception. When we focus on feeling recognized, we’re able to live more presently because we accept ourselves and are no longer looking for acceptance in someone else.
Where do you think you land most often? Do you want recognition? Tell someone what you do Monday through Friday. Do you want to be recognized? Tell them what makes you, you.
I’m Rocky Garza. I’m an identity coach for a living, but that’s not who I am. What I do is not who I am. I’m a challenger, truth-teller, change-maker, belief-creator.
What you do is not who you are. Who are you? Today, move towards rest the freedom that can be found in being recognized as opposed to burning out in order to gain recognition.
