Episode 272: "Your Identity Matters in Life and Career!"

SELDI Podcast with Tony Williams

Greetings, Leaders.

Our identity influences every aspect of our lives and careers.

Understanding who we are strengthens us for the journey ahead.

We battle an unseen enemy who fights to keep us from discovering who we are, our purpose in life, and becoming the person created for good works.

The conflict occurs in our thinking.

"As a person thinks in their heart, so they are."

This ancient quote packs truth that impacts every dimension of a leader's life. "Guard your heart above all else, for from it come the issues of life."

From early childhood, the people caring for your development share affirming observations of us that begin building our self-image. We build upon the foundation as we grow.

Outstanding leadership requires an ongoing becoming of the person we are born to be until we reach the full measure of maturity.

On our life and career journey, we experience victories and setbacks. How we see ourselves will determine our response.

The song "You Say" lyrics highlight the nature of the battle and the key to victory.

"I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough

Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low

Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours

And I believe

Oh, I believe

What You say of me

I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You, I find my worth. In You, I find my identity."

Someone once said, "Knowledge is power!"

Knowing who you are-

Knowing to whom you belong-

Knowing what we possess -

Knowing the purpose and plan and will for us-

The answers to these questions build confidence! Confidence is the one attribute essential to every great accomplishment and fundamental to the success of every great leader.

Great leaders intentionally seek to know all the days of their lives—this quest for wisdom and knowledge fuels their purpose for life and work.

Wisdom calls out,

"I love them that love me, and those who seek me will find me."

Thomas J. Watson Sr. shared his leadership insight with a group of new sales leaders on July 12, 1932.

"Wisdom is the power that enables us to make practical use of our knowledge."

Invest time daily with pen and paper to write and reflect on your vision and the awareness of your identity.

I took time this week to reflect, write down and rehearse my answers to the "Knowing" questions.

I noticed a boost of confidence, enthusiasm, and new strength in my spirit for the future.

All of us benefit from remembering who we are.

The overflow impacts everything we do.

Get the most out of it. The best is yet to be!

Believe it!

Victory!