The Sequel to a PhD Podcast
How often are our careers, identities, ambitions defined by a story we wrote for ourselves way back early on in our lives? Or by expectations that are set by others, by our culture, or by something else outside of ourselves? For some of us, maybe this works out for a while and we find ourselves successful, high-achievers at what we set out to accomplish. But what happens when we discover along the way that the story we created for ourselves no longer feels right? And that the success we’ve achieved isn't as fulfilling as we expected?
Here, we talk about navigating the thoughts, transitions, and cultural expectations that come up when we realize that the current chapter of our lives no longer fit who we’ve become. We’ll talk about learning how to figure out what we really want, doing things differently, and supporting one another in pursuing what's true and meaningful for each of us as individuals. And how that pursuit can ultimately impact the world around us.
Hosted by Shirley Markant, PhD. For more, visit www.sequeltoaphd.com.
The Sequel to a PhD Podcast
Episode 26: On Building a Body of Work
In today’s episode, I explore the idea of shifting from viewing our jobs and careers as linear paths or defined identities to seeing them as part of a larger body of work that we have freedom to build and shape in whatever direction we want throughout our lives. I also get curious about how this body of work question might apply more broadly to who we are in the world, as we build our "body of being" for how we want to show up and experience our daily lives.
Key Points:
- Centering Around Building a Body of Work vs. Professional Identity: What if we consider our work as projects within a larger body of work, instead of feeling tied to roles as part of our identity?
- Viewing Job Positions as Projects: What happens if we stop viewing our job positions as fulfilling a particular role and instead see them as projects that contribute to our evolving body of work? This creates space for objectivity and subjectivity—giving us permission to decide whether what we're doing aligns with our values and to make changes if it doesn’t.
- Body of Being: Expanding the idea even further, I play with the notion of a Body of Being—how we show up each day and how we live our lives as part of who we are becoming. It's less about long-term identities and more about how we choose to embody our values and desires in the present moment.
Reflection Questions:
- How would viewing your career as a body of work change your perspective on your current role?
- What would be different if you approached your career or personal life with this perspective?
- Could this shift in thinking give you more permission to change, adapt, and grow?
Join the Conversation:
I'd love to hear how the "body of work" or "body of being" concept resonates for you! Share your thoughts or experiences by sending a message below.
Subscribe & Follow:
Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Share this episode with anyone you know who might enjoy exploring how to trust who we are now and how to become more of ourselves.
Connect:
Instagram: @shirleymarkant
