Identity

Back in the early 90s, when I started in pharma, I remember one of the managers sharing an experiment: we had our sales meeting and, at the hotel, he asked to see what people wrote when asked: job title.

Although 85% were sales reps, less than 10% said that. There were lawyers, architects, business men. The manager gave a big lecture about embracing your role as part of your identity.

Pottery plate with sgraphitto and underglaze colors.

Fast-forward and here I am, participating in a workshop to clarify my artistic identity.

I love pottery, watercolor, embroidery, photography, mixed media and the list goes on. Even with all of these areas, I still couldn’t figure out what kind of identity I have.

One day we had to answer few questions about the topic. The first one was “I am _____” and my answer was “Simone”. It came so fast that I decided to pause and see if I was missing anything else. Nope. I am Simone.

Soon after the story about the sales team came to my mind. Not much about their answer but about the expectation of the sales manager that they all should answer the same.

I thought how many times I mixed up my own identity to my job, or task-on-hand. I was a manager, a director, a mom, a spouse. A long list.

Today I know they are parts of me. Not my identity.

As for my artistic identity, I can say that I love colors, patterns, textures, some abstract. I don’t like realistic painting. Clay is my favorite. Nature inspires me all the time.

I also found out that I need mental challenges so I experiment a lot. I am curious.

Above all, I am Simone.

Ask yourself who you truly are. You may enjoy the exercise.