The Identity Work Podcast

Restlessly Hopeful

Today we explore the complexities of balancing ambition with present satisfaction and delving into the perpetual cycle of high achievers always chasing the next milestone, often at the expense of enjoying the present moment.
Adam shares a poignant personal story from his career, illustrating the exhausting nature of constantly setting bigger goals. We then look at practical strategies such as practicing gratitude and confronting negative emotions are discussed to help listeners stay grounded.
 

Embracing Grit

Join us on this episode inspired by Angela Duckworth's renowned book Grit. We delve deep into the transformative power of perseverance and passion unpacking how these qualities can triumph over talent or IQ to create a fulfilling and successful career.
Throughout this episode, we share personal stories and practical advice on building resilience, staying committed to long-term goals, and crafting a purposeful career journey. 
 

Is work a game?

In this enlightening episode of the Identity Work podcast, we dive deep into the journey of finding true purpose and satisfaction in our careers.Together, we explore Adam's unique perspective on viewing work as a structured game, complete with rules and an endpoint, much like a baseball game. While this mindset drove Adam to success, it also constrained him, causing him to show up at work as only a partial version of himself. As we shift gears, we delve into actionable strategies for bringing more meaning into our daily work lives. Learn how engaging in meaningful conversations with coworkers and managers, experimenting with small changes like tweaking work hours or shifting responsibilities, can lead to a more fulfilling workday. We emphasize the importance of community and collaboration, offering tips on how to achieve immediate, tangible improvements in our work experience. Chapter Summaries: **Finding Meaning in Career Journey (0:00:00 - 0:10:41):** We kick off by exploring the concept of "the end game" in the context of our careers. Adam Beasley shares his metaphor of work as a game, driving him to success but also leading to a sense of constraint. We discuss the drawbacks of this mindset, including the separation between current work and future aspirations, and how it led Adam to show up as only a partial version of himself at work. **Embracing Present Moments at Work (0:10:41 - 0:22:41):** In the second part of our conversation, we focus on practical strategies for living in the present and finding meaning in our daily work lives. We discuss the importance of engaging in conversations with coworkers and managers about making each day more meaningful. By testing small changes in our work routines, we can better understand what aspects of our jobs we enjoy or dislike. We emphasize the value of community and collaboration in navigating these reflections and experiments. 

Why your 8-year-old self may be the key to meaningful work

Hey there, fellow career explorers! It’s your host, Stephen Reif, back with another episode of the Identity Work podcast.
Today, I’m joined by the incredible Adam Beasley, the founder of the Identity Work newsletter, as we dive into an intriguing topic: could the key to a fulfilling career lie in the games we played as children?
Together, Adam and I take a nostalgic trip back to our eight-year-old selves to uncover how childhood activities, free from adult constraints, can provide a roadmap to joyful work. Adam shares delightful stories from his childhood, like negotiating chores and tracking his earnings, and reveals how these seemingly mundane activities were actually full of joy and valuable lessons. We chat about the balance between entrepreneurship, autonomy, and teamwork in creating meaningful work.
Reflecting on intrinsic motivations and childhood skills, we offer practical advice on managing intense work periods with much-needed rest and emphasize the importance of understanding one’s identity beyond just work.
Plus, don’t miss our travel tales from the charming streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia, complete with its car-free downtown and hearty cuisine, and a fun nod to NBA star Luka Dončić. This episode is packed with career insights, personal stories, and travel tips that you won’t want to miss! Tune in and let's rediscover the joy of work by embracing our inner child! 🌈✨ ---
Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording! 🎙️

If I’m ever not perfect, they’ll find out I’m a fraud

Today we do a deep dive into the complex realm of negative self-talk and the pursuit of an authentic identity.
Lets look at the formative impact of early praise, the language that shapes our self-image, and strategies to manage the critical voices within us.
Whether you're currently navigating the complexities of academia or simply seeking to better understand the dynamics of your inner dialogue, this episode offers a relatable reflection on the ongoing work of crafting an authentic identity.

What do you do [for work?]

In the first episode of Identity Work, Stephen and Adam spend 30 minutes resolving technical issues and debating if Adam is a “Novice” or “Noob” iPhone photographer… just kidding! Identity Work starts out strong with a rich discussion about how we should frame work, recorded from Dallas, Texas and Avignon, France.
Adam honestly shares his past approach to work as being “a game that is meant to be beaten by earning enough money to stop playing”.
 
We discuss cultural influences on how we view work, which shaped our career choices, leading to “successful” but unsatisfying choices.
Stephen challenges listeners to think about how they define work for themselves and Adam leaves everyone with a takeaway “homework” question to reflect on this week.