Professional identity
- Philip Brophy
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Shaping your identity • 2 min read
The School of Psychology in the University of Queensland published a study that focused on shaping one’s future self.
Their research showed that shaping your future self requires two key ingredients: deliberate practice and a clear goal to aim toward.
A key advantage of being able to visualise a possible future is that it allows us not only to shape and control the world ahead of us, but also enables us to intentionally change our future selves.
Introduction
We recently looked at the concept of ‘systems thinking’ — the theory that it's not all about the goals you set but instead, the systems you implement to help you achieve them. We want you to keep this concept at the forefront of your mind.
Systems thinking will help us become the professional we want to be.
Ready to find out how these systems can shape who you are?
Shaping your identity
It's not about bombarding your work life with rules or hacks to get short-term results, it's about becoming the type of professional you want to be in the long-term.
In practice, this means shifting your focus from outcomes to identity. So, the objective is:
- not to write a book, but to become a writer
- not to run a marathon, but to become a runner
- not to be made CEO, but to become a leader
Once we understand the type of professional we want to become, we can begin to work on the individual traits that shape that identity. When a behaviour becomes an integral part of our identity, we get closer to becoming the professional we want to be.
Shaping your identity in practice
Let's look at the example of Johnny who wants to work on his presentation skills.
Based on ‘systems thinking’, the target is not to deliver the perfect presentation, but to become a confident public speaker.
“What type of person would deliver a compelling talk?”, he asks.
Well, they are probably well prepared, are consistent in their style of delivery, and have excellent communication skills.
All of a sudden Johnny's focus shifts from the outcome (delivering a killer presentation) to the identity (being prepared, consistent and a strong communicator).
He feels confident with the first two traits but recognises that he can definitely improve his communication skills.
Key takeaways
‘Systems thinking’ enables us to become the professional we want to be. For example, it’s not about being promoted to manager, it’s about becoming a better team player.
Shaping our professional identity requires a subtle shift in mindset. It’s moving from outcomes to identities. A great question to ask ourselves when reflecting on our desired professional identity is, “`What type of person would be successful here?”
Once we understand the type of professional we want to become, we can begin to work on the individual traits that shape that identity.
Think big. act small
Reflect on your own big picture and think about the results you want to achieve. Now ask yourself, "who could achieve these results?"
Once you have a better understanding of the type of person that could get the results you want, you can begin to take small steps to reinforce your desired identity.
Content sources
Atomic Habits, James Clear
Forbes, Why You're Not Living Your Best Life -- And The Simple Shift That Holds The Solution, Shama Hyder
Harvard Business Review, Take Ownership of Your Future Self, Benjamin Hardy
ResearchGate, Habit and Identity: Behavioral, Cognitive, Affective, and Motivational Facets of an Integrated Self, Bas Verplanken and Jie Sui
The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg
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