Identity Worksheet - A Companion to 92,000 Hours Identity Workshop
In Season 4 of the 92,000 Hours podcast we take our central premise - that we spend the majority of our lives at work, and thus, should be intentional about ensuring that those hours are spent well - and give our listeners and readers specific TOOLS to identify and create plans to incorporate purpose and meaning into all areas of our lives, including our work.
As humans, we inherently categorize ourselves and others into groups based on identities. Social identities are labels that people use to categorize or identify themselves and/or others as members of specific groups. When we look at others, these identities can lead to biases, stereotypes, and marginalization. When we look at ourselves, these identities can serve to catalyze motivation and action, and also self-censorship and misunderstanding.
Below we have provided a worksheet with three concentric circles labeled Given, Chosen, Core. Think of these identities as in three ways: those identities that were given to you (daughter, tall, brunette, American, southerner, etc); those identities you have chosen (parent, gardener, athlete, spouse, career choice, etc.); and finally those identities that are core to you (learner, creative, kind, impatient, funny, liberal, spiritual, etc.).
Give yourself some time on this, and really think about it. Consider particularly those identities that other people can readily see. Now consider those identities that are generally private or personal to you. Which ones show up in which circles? What does that mean to you? Are there any aspects of your identity that were given to you, you still choose them, and they are core? While core aspects are generally enduring, it is worth considering whether there are any that have changed - even slightly - over time. If so, why?
Underline the terms that are important to you. Are these the words you regularly use to describe yourself to others? If someone else was mapping your identity, what terms do you think they would list first? How do these two lists differ from one another? What assumptions do you think people make about you based on your social identity? What assumption do you think you are making about others?
Share this with someone from your “square squad” (see 92,000 Hours Season 4 episode on vulnerability) to help you process. Alternatively, share it with us and we’ll be happy to process with you! Leave us a voice mail: 385-501-7333 or email: annalisa@connectioncollaborative.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
