Recently I hosted the Charleston Holiday Parade for our local cable station, Comcast C2. It’s something I’ve done for the past four years and I really enjoy it. This year, as I dig deeper into my writing about a major life change that resulted in leaving the TV business… I’ve become well aware of the irony.
I still do TV work. And I still wear MAC.
I write a lot about crossroads, transitions, leaps of faith—but my goal is not to start a revolt… to encourage a whole Jerry McGuire “who’s coming with me?” movement. Although the changes I’ve made have been kind of like that.
I’ve been self-employed since 2003 and my resume is a curious maze… but for the most part I’ve been able to find freelance work in my areas of professional expertise. Over at my empire, Angie, Inc. (seriously, you’ve never heard of it?) I’ve accomplished things I’m very proud of, and I’ve learned a lot of new things, too.
Wearing MAC (a cosmetics line, in case you’re wondering) is just one aspect of my identity. I have learned not to let it define me, as it once did. But today, when people ask me “what do you do?” I want to crawl under a table. They want a quick definition and what I have for them is a bit longer… more like a book, an after school special, or maybe a series on Lifetime. Sorry, going off into my own little world again…
When people ask what we do, they really want to know who we are, and that can’t always be summed up in a resume, an elevator pitch, or a mission statement. The authentic me surfaces during spin class when I’m in “a zone” or when words bubble up from somewhere inside and I can’t get to pen, paper or my laptop fast enough. She’s in my laughter, my tears, the vulnerable side that I often protect… she’s in my clarity, my creativity and my strength. She is my heart, my soul… the part of me that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
I blog because it forces me to make a point… to find some purpose, some meaning behind my thoughts… to take my life experience and broaden the perspective so it’s relevant to you.
So I guess my point today and question for you is this… when you take away the labels… what’s left? That question can be terrifying. I used to think the answer was “Nothing… there’s nothing left.”
But that’s just not true. Not for me. And not for you.
Angie,
You’re totally on to something
I’ve enjoyed your guest post on @TheSSMOnline and this one is definitely hitting home. Standing on your own as an entrepreneur and young woman for me has been challenging. On the one hand, I love what I do. But sometimes, you can see people think when you talk and I wonder if I am I being portrayed accurately?
But what does that matter? As long as we maintain integrity to ourselves, the right people will get us! So Amen to the post, sister!
Christina
I’ve been thinking about authenticity a lot lately. For me, living a good life means being authentic AND relevant. It’s a delicate balance.
Loved hearing about your Spinning experience. Finding that “zone” is rewarding.
Margaret Seidler
Author of Power Surge: A Conduit for Enlightened Leadership and a Spinning Instrutor.
Great blog topic, Angie! I have several speaking engagements this year on prospecting and “How to Work a Room.” I’d love to quote this blog during my next workshop – I think it’s a great transition to how to follow up after prospecting, and during prospecting, how to sell the relationship and not the product. I was shown this by my associate, Kristin Bostic. Look up my workshop on Center for Women, Charleston Women’s Business Network, and East Cooper Entrepreneurial Women’s Network. I’d love if you sent me your email; I’d like to keep you posted and see if you have any more thoughts to share that may be easily connected to my topics. Looking forward to meeting you! Danna Helms, Financial Management Group, danna.helms@fmgaccess.com
Angie, you make some great points here. I was a SAHM (long before there was an acronym for it or computers to write about it on!) and I recall sometimes having difficulty defining myslef in those days. You’re exactly right when you say we need to look deeper than just what we “do.” I think who we are is really more about what makes us come alive and how we communicate that to the people around us.
Great post