AI Can Take Your Job, but Don't Let It Take Your Identity

As AI starts replacing tasks and jobs, some people are going to lose their sense of self.

I’ve seen this before.

When I transitioned out of the military, my identity was tied to the mission. My team depended on me to execute, no matter what. Even a year of "transitioning" didn't prepare me to separate who I was from the purpose that had been drilled into me.

Tech is heading into that same transition right now.

I see it in, the engineer who takes immense pride in writing clean, elegant code or the analyst who finds purpose in the reports that keep the business in motion.

For them, these tasks aren't just a means. They've become foundational pieces of their identity.

Who are you when you’re no longer the one "getting it done"?

Not convinced? Needs some more example?

If you think this is a stretch, look at how some of the retirees struggle with purpose after leaving the workforce, or how parents feel when they become empty nesters.

Many of us are too deep into the weeds of the "doing" because of the demands of work and life, that we forget who we are.

And I don't see enough people having this conversation. Or maybe I'm just making connections to dots that don't exist. And if that is the case, what are we vibing this week? lol

TL;DR

You are more than the tasks at your job. AI can take the execution, but you don't have to let it take your self-worth.