I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.
"Who You Are vs. What You Do – The Identity Edge - 2025 - Week 12 Update
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This week, I’ve been chewing on a distinction that’s been a game-changer for me: identity versus role. They sound similar, but they’re worlds apart—and understanding the difference might just shift how you see yourself. Your identity? That’s the core of who you are. It’s the you that doesn’t budge—the values, the quirks, the essence that makes you, well, you. It’s not tied to what you accomplish or how others see you. It’s a solid 10, always, no matter what’s going on. Your roles, though? Those are the hats you wear—employee, employer, blogger, parent, sibling, friend. They’re what you do, and they shift depending on who’s in the room or what’s on your plate. Here’s where it gets interesting: roles are subjective. To your boss, you’re the employee; to your kid, you’re the parent; to your readers, you’re the blogger. And how well you “perform” in those roles? That can ebb and flow—some days you’re crushing it, others you’re just getting by. But your identity? It doesn’t care about your batting average. It’s not up for debate or tied to applause. You’re still a 10, even when the employee stumbles, the parent loses patience, or the blogger misses a deadline. Why does this matter? Because it’s so easy to let our roles define us. We tie our worth to how we’re doing at work, how we’re showing up for others, or what people think of our output. But roles are temporary and fluid—they’re not the full story. Your identity is the anchor. It’s the part that says, “I’m still me, still valuable, still enough,” no matter how the day goes. So, here’s my nudge for you this week: take a second to split the two. Write down one thing about your identity—something true about who you are, not what you do. Maybe it’s “I’m curious” or “I’m kind” or “I’m a dreamer.” Then look at your roles—list a couple, and notice how they change depending on who you’re with. Let that sink in: the roles can wobble, but your identity? It’s rock solid. I’d love to hear what you come up with—hit reply and share if you feel like it. You’re a 10, always. The roles are just the extras. Justin PS - I have a weekly update that I will include on my dreams below, this is something I have been doing personally for more than 2 years now, and it is my guiding light for how I make decisions and decide what I want to be doing and chasing. If you ever want to became part of what I am creating, you can sign up at www.justindcstephens.com for the Employee Empowerment Initiative. Justin Stephens |
Life with Justin Stephens
I am on a journey to document the true value of time. I am doing that through writing my own documentary on my life on X. By subscribing, you will be seeing behind the scenes on how I believe we as a society can collapse time and take care of each other better.
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This week, I’ve been thinking about something we all dodge but can’t escape: mistakes and failures. They sting, no question. But here’s the flip side—every flop is a masterclass in disguise. When you learn from what went wrong, you’re not just recovering; you’re arming yourself for a stronger shot at success next time. Think of it like a chef tweaking a recipe. The first batch of cookies might be too salty or burn to a crisp. Does the chef quit? Nope. They taste the mess, figure out what went...