In this 50th episode of the Identity Work Podcast, Adam and Stephen welcome Kyle, head of brand transformation at a large apparel company. The conversation centers around the theme of identity, exploring how individuals can discover and live out their true selves in both personal and professional contexts. Kyle shares his journey of understanding his identity as a 'general in love' and how this has shaped his approach to leadership, parenting, and career decisions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of encouragement, community, and seeking God's guidance in defining one's identity and purpose.

Takeaways

• Identity is a core aspect of who we are and how we live. Living out your identity transforms your approach to work and relationships.
• Kyle's identity statement is 'a general in love', which leads to fearlessness and encouragement.
• Creating margin in your life is essential for finding opportunities to live out your identity well.
• Community plays a vital role in affirming and shaping our identities.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Celebration of 50 Episodes
• 02:57 Understanding Identity: Kyle's Journey
• 05:57 Living Out Identity in Daily Life
• 08:50 Coaching and Leadership: A General in Love
• 11:51 Exploring Unique Identities
• 14:34 Strengths and Superpowers in the Workplace
• 17:44 Personal Reflections on Identity Statements
• 21:11 Navigating Fame and Identity
• 25:46 Career Conversations and Guidance
• 31:06 Creating Opportunities for Others
• 31:28 Lessons from Youth and Self-Confidence
• 38:50 Trends in the Workplace
• 41:07 Finding Meaning in Work
• 42:41 Encouragement for Listeners

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We explore how our living environments significantly influence our work lives, emphasizing the importance of comfort and energy in achieving meaning and productivity at work. It discusses the balance between personal and professional life and how these aspects intertwine to shape our overall well-being.

Takeaways

• Our lives are influenced by various factors, including our environment. Thus, the energy we bring to work is affected by our comfort and joy in our home situation.
• Understanding the interplay between home and work can enhance our lives. You should live in an environment that is personalized to you and creates mental safety for you to enter work with the energy needed to make it meaningful. 

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Stephen and Adam discuss the complexities of finding meaning in work, the importance of job crafting, and when it might be necessary to pivot to a new role. They explore personal experiences of leaving jobs too soon (and too early), research insights, and practical advice for navigating job satisfaction and moral dilemmas in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes self-awareness, resilience, and the value of learning in one's career journey.

Takeaways

• Creating meaning in your job is essential and can enhance job satisfaction, but self-awareness is key to knowing when to pivot.
• It's important to give new jobs time to adjust. Trust your instincts when making career decisions.
• Research shows high performers with high confidence may leave jobs sooner.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
• 02:51 Exploring Meaningful Work and Job Crafting
• 05:33 When to Stay or Leave a Job
• 08:39 Navigating Job Satisfaction and Moral Dilemmas
• 11:51 Research Insights on Job Retention
• 14:33 Reflecting on Past Job Decisions
• 17:19 Learning and Growth in Career Choices
• 20:15 Final Thoughts

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Larry Angelilli, former CFO of Moneygram, joins us to share his reflections on retirement, identity, and the pursuit of meaningful work. Larry discusses his career journey, the challenges he faced, and the importance of finding passions outside of work. He emphasizes the role of curiosity in career development and offers insights into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and stablecoins. If you're looking for practical advice on navigating your own career path and finding fulfillment in your work, tune in!

Takeaways

• The peak of your career can feel behind you after retirement, so it's important to identify yourself outside of your career as well.
• Finding work that invigorates you is essential for job satisfaction because careers are marked by challenges and crossroads. 
• Curiosity drives career growth and opportunities. Follow it where it leads.
• You need to be known and recognized in your job to feel fulfilled. Sometimes its better to be a star on a mediocre team than to get lost playing for a Super Bowl.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Larry Angelilli
• 03:03 Reflections on Retirement and Identity
• 06:11 Pursuing Passions Beyond Work
• 09:07 Career Journey and Crossroads
• 18:02 Navigating Career Challenges
• 24:45 Finding Meaningful Work
• 33:19 The Role of Curiosity in Career
• 40:14 Trends in Cryptocurrency and Stablecoins
• 48:04 Advice for Career Fulfillment

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This week we delve into the complexities of managing pressure and stress in both personal and professional contexts. We explore the differences between stress and pressure, share personal experiences of feeling overwhelmed, and discuss the importance of mindset in navigating challenging situations. The conversation also touches on self-imposed pressure, the significance of finding peace amidst chaos, and insights into future trends in the workplace.

Takeaways

• Stress is self-imposed, while pressure is external. 
• Challenge pressure is beneficial pressure pushing you to something meaningful while hindrance pressure is useless pressure that creates stress for the sake of stress
• Self-imposed pressure can be a significant source of stress for high achievers but accepting it and listening to where it is pointing you can lead to greater focus and clarity.
• Don't let small things become big things. Recognize the finite amount of cares you have and only give some to things that matter to you. 

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Pressure Management
• 01:53 Understanding Stress vs. Pressure
• 04:51 Experiencing Pressure in Real Life
• 08:27 Types of Pressure: Challenge vs. Hindrance
• 13:26 Managing Pressure and Mindset
• 19:01 Self-Imposed Pressure and Expectations
• 23:47 Finding Peace Amidst Pressure
• 28:22 Trend Spotters and Future Insights

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This week we delve into the theme of contentment, exploring its nuances and how it contrasts with happiness. Adam shares his personal experiences during parental leave, highlighting the diverse reactions he received from others about his time off. The conversation gets into the complexities of ambition and contentment, particularly for high achievers, and how gratitude plays a crucial role in finding peace in the present. We also discuss a thought-provoking story about a Buddhist monk that challenges conventional views on contentment and passivity, and practical ways that you can cultivate more presence in everyday life.

Takeaways

• Contentment is a separate emotion from happiness.
• Experiencing both joy and boredom is normal in parenting.
• Contentment can coexist with ambition and goals.
• Gratitude is essential for fostering contentment.
• High achievers often struggle with balancing contentment and ambition.
• Contentment is about accepting the present moment.
• Mindfulness can help in recognizing and appreciating what we have.
• The journey towards contentment requires effort and training.
• It's important to hold loosely to timelines while maintaining vision.
• Finding balance in life is a continuous process.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Contentment
• 02:54 Exploring the Catalyst for Contentment
• 05:51 Understanding Contentment vs. Happiness
• 08:39 The High Achiever's Dilemma
• 11:59 Navigating Ambition and Contentment
• 15:57 The Story of the Buddhist Monk
• 19:59 Finding Balance in Life
• 23:29 An Exercise to Build Presence

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Matt Higbie joins the show and shares his journey from a hedge fund analyst to a financial planner, discussing the challenges of performance anxiety, the importance of identity beyond work, and the value of personal relationships in financial planning. He reflects on his career transitions, the impact of AI on the industry, and the significance of family life. If you're wondering how to find the balance between high performance and family, or contemplating a job change, this is the episode for you.

Takeaways

• You are not alone in your struggles to create meaningful work.
• Identity is found in personal beliefs, not in work.
• Performance anxiety is a common struggle in high-pressure jobs.
• Networking and talking to others helped Matt find his next career path.
• AI is changing the landscape of financial planning.
• People value personal relationships in finance more than ever.
• Curiosity is key in finding a fulfilling career. 

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
• 02:58 The Impact of the Podcast on Matt's Life
• 05:40 Career Transition: From Hedge Fund Analyst to Wealth Management
• 08:38 Navigating Career Decisions and Performance Anxiety
• 11:23 Finding Identity Beyond Work
• 14:40 Networking and Job Search Strategies
• 17:26 Managing Performance Anxiety in New Roles
• 20:22 Tactical Approaches to Reducing Anxiety
• 26:04 Identity and Career Transitions
• 28:17 Family Life and Parenting
• 29:12 Career Advice for the Next Generation
• 34:50 Trends in Financial Planning and AI
• 40:04 Finding Meaning in Work
• 41:55 Splurges and Life Experiences

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Explore the concept of dream jobs and the reality behind them. Stephen and Adam discuss the importance of understanding the day-to-day tasks involved in any job and how to find satisfaction in work through job crafting. The conversation emphasizes the need to embrace the grind rather than chase an idealized version of a dream job, offering practical advice for listeners, including college students entering the workforce.

Takeaways

• Your dream job is often a fantasy, not reality.
• Job satisfaction comes from understanding daily, mundane tasks.
• Job crafting, making small tweaks, can enhance your work experience.
• Focus on what you enjoy in your current role.
• Career paths are often a journey, not a destination.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Travel Tips to Oregon
• 02:00 Chasing Your Dream Job
• 08:58 The Reality of Dream Jobs
• 17:44 Job Crafting for Satisfaction
• 22:37 Advice for College Students Entering the Workforce

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Vineet Rajan, a former Marine Intelligence officer and now CEO of Forte, shares his transformative experience of redefining identity through introspection and faith. From the challenges of leaving a structured military life to embracing the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, Vineet's story is a testament to the power of aligning personal values with professional aspirations. Tune in to explore how understanding who we are can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

Takeaways

• Identity is shaped by our experiences and perceptions.
• Asking 'Who am I?' is crucial for personal growth.
• Spending time with God can lead to profound insights about our identity.
• The order of being and doing is essential for success.
• Practical steps include journaling, prayer, and seeking guidance from others.
• The journey to self-discovery is often non-linear and requires patience.
• It's important to recognize that we are not defined by our performance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Vineet and Forte
• 01:59 The Journey of Identity and Purpose
• 09:55 Bridging Identity and Action
• 16:59 Practicing Being with God
• 19:41 Tactical Steps to Discovering Identity
• 22:48 Conviction and Principles
• 28:42 Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
• 29:14 The Journey to Startup Founder
• 35:57 The Birth of Forte
• 40:25 Understanding Forte's Mission and Impact

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In this episode of the Identity Work Podcast, we delve into Scottie Scheffler's viral interview that challenges the conventional notions of success. Despite his dominant position as the world's number one golfer, Scheffler reveals that winning tournaments and chasing trophies don't define his identity. Instead, he finds true fulfillment in his family, faith, and being a good husband and father. Join us as we explore the profound insights from Scheffler's perspective and discuss how identity is a multifaceted journey beyond professional achievements.

Takeaways

• Scotty Scheffler's interview highlights the tension between success and personal fulfillment.
• Achievement does not define one's identity or worth.
• Family and personal relationships are paramount to true happiness.
• Quality time with loved ones is more important than quantity.
• Identity is a complex mix of various roles and passions.
• Work can enhance personal growth and family life when balanced correctly.
• The societal pressure to achieve can lead to dissatisfaction.
• The journey of life is more significant than the destination or achievements.
• Reflection on identity is crucial during life transitions.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Scottie Scheffler's Viral Interview
• 02:26 Scottie's Perspective on Identity
• 10:17 The Tension of Achievement and Fulfillment
• 15:52 Work-Life Balance and Identity
• 20:17 Personal Reflections on Identity and Parenting
• 27:08 The Journey of Self-Publishing a Children's Book

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