our roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfieMany professionals and business owners have difficulty leaving work behind at the end of the day. Switching gears is difficult. There are many factors at play--too many to address here. However, one primary factor is the personalization of work. When you personalize your work, you define yourself by what you do (i.e., your role), instead of who you are. Your self-worth becomes wrapped up in your roles in life. Defining yourself by your roles is a setup for undue stress in your life.

Consider your response to this question: "Who are you?" Let yourself think about this for a minute or two. You may even want to take some time to write out your answer.

If you describe yourself by stating you are a business owner, physician, accountant, etc. you may be defining yourself by your roles. When you define yourself by your roles, particularly your work role, you are at risk for personalizing your work.

What are the signs that you are personalizing your work? If you have a bad day at work, it can ruin your whole day. If you have a dissatisfied customer or client, you dwell on what you did wrong. When a deal goes sour, you can't let go of it. You think about it incessantly. You strive for perfection in everything you do. You feel like a failure when something at work goes wrong. When you achieve less than perfection, you beat yourself up emotionally. These are signs that your self-worth has gotten tangled up in your work.

When you define yourself by your roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfied

becomes wrapped up in your roles in life. Defining yourself by your roles is a setup for undue stress in your life.

Consider your response to this question: "Who are you?" Let yourself think about this for a minute or two. You may even want to take some time to write out your answer.

If you describe yourself by stating you are a business owner, physician, accountant, etc. you may be defining yourself by your roles. When you define yourself by your roles, particularly your work role, you are at risk for personalizing your work.

What are the signs that you are personalizing your work? If you have a bad day at work, it can ruin your whole day. If you have a dissatisfied customer or client, you dwell on what you did wrong. When a deal goes sour, you can't let go of it. You think about it incessantly. You strive for perfection in everything you do. You feel like a failure when something at work goes wrong. When you achieve less than perfection, you beat yourself up emotionally. These are signs that your self-worth has gotten tangled up in your work.

When you define yourself by your roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfie

ccountant, etc. you may be defining yourself by your roles. When you define yourself by your roles, particularly your work role, you are at risk for personalizing your work.

What are the signs that you are personalizing your work? If you have a bad day at work, it can ruin your whole day. If you have a dissatisfied customer or client, you dwell on what you did wrong. When a deal goes sour, you can't let go of it. You think about it incessantly. You strive for perfection in everything you do. You feel like a failure when something at work goes wrong. When you achieve less than perfection, you beat yourself up emotionally. These are signs that your self-worth has gotten tangled up in your work.

When you define yourself by your roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfie

ong. When a deal goes sour, you can't let go of it. You think about it incessantly. You strive for perfection in everything you do. You feel like a failure when something at work goes wrong. When you achieve less than perfection, you beat yourself up emotionally. These are signs that your self-worth has gotten tangled up in your work.

When you define yourself by your roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfie

our roles, day to day stressors take on an overblown significance. Instead of simply doing what needs to be done to address those matters, you dwell on them, becoming unduly upset, frustrated, or anxious. Instead of enjoying the process of working, the nature of the work you do, and being in the moment, you focus on outcomes--how much money you are making, how satisfied your customers are at any given time, how happy your boss is with you, etc. When the outcome is not what you would like, your mood plummets.

A healthier approach is to reconnect with yourself outside of your roles. Who are you? What do you value? What do you enjoy? What is your life purpose? What do others appreciate about you? What do you have to offer that is unique?

Regularly reconnecting with the essence of who you are outside of your roles at work allows you the emotional distance you need to be more effective in managing the problems that arise at work.

Remember, you are so much more than the work you do!