When someone asks, “Tell me about yourself,” do you immediately jump to what you do for work—or what you used to do? And how often have you pushed aside the things you’ve always wanted to try because work, life, and all the to-dos seem to take over?
A few years ago, I decided to stop putting off my “someday” list. It started with training for my first marathon—and it was a game changer. It reminded me that I’m more than just my professional career. Since then, I’ve discovered new joys, such as playing padel, revisited old ones, like making puzzles, and said “yes” to hobbies that make me happy. Whether it’s picking up a sport you love, trying something you’ve always been curious about, or diving back into an activity you enjoyed as a kid, these experiences remind us that life isn’t just about work—it’s about finding meaning outside of it.
Just like we tell clients to diversify their investments, it’s just as important to diversify the sources of meaning and identity in our lives. Leaning into new experiences or rediscovering activities you once loved gives you a chance to focus on you. It helps you create memories and lets you enjoy life a little more—while also giving you a fuller sense of who you are beyond your career.
So, as we’re still kicking off the new year, here’s my challenge to you: pick one thing off that bucket list and go for it. It doesn’t have to be big—start small if that feels right—but do something. We’re all more than our job titles, and there’s so much joy waiting to be found in the adventures we choose to create. I, for one, have two 1,000-piece puzzles that are definitely not going to complete themselves…
