On Identity

"We can spend our lives letting the world tell us who we are… Or we can decide for ourselves." — Chuck Palahniuk

This is one I've been wanting to write about for a while, but the scope of "identity" felt too daunting. Thanks to the burgundy red I am drinking and my 2-year-old going down early for the assist.

If it's not obvious already, I'm a sucker for growth books. Even the kind you spot from the airport bookstore while you wait to crowd the boarding line, to enter the jetbridge line, before getting to the plane line to put your bags away. I digress.

James Clear speaks about habits leading to identity — and more importantly, that we can choose the habits that showcase who we are. The hard part, that Clear doesn't elaborate on, is figuring out which habits to pick. Which identity to build.

A few ideas for inspiration. Do not tie it to a job, a political party, your kids, your partner. Jobs come and go. Parties shift. Kids grow up and move on. What lasts? Ideas, traits, habits. For me, it's things like being loving, caring, kind, hard-working, witty, loyal, fair, honest, a leader. These are the things I hope to be remembered for. If I am remembered for these, it means I was a good father, husband, brother, son, friend, and someone who performed professionally at a high level, wherever I went.

How do you want to be remembered? Now go do it.

— Joe