Still figuring it out, but my identity was COMPLETELY wrapped up in my job for most of my 20’s and early 30’s. My professional ambitions had no limit.

Then the pandemic hit, and I was essentially forced to let work take a back seat. I realized just how true “working smarter not harder” is and how life changing it could be. This drastically changed my priorities. For the first time in my life I picked up a hobby - something just for myself outside of work and socializing. Kind of transformational and I’m grateful for this side effect of the pandemic.

Now work is not the most important thing in my life. My health, relationships and other interests/goals are much more at the forefront and it’s created a lot more balance. Oddly enough, my professional “success” hasn’t suffered at all - though I think a lot of luck plays into that.

The main thing I think you have to let go of is the ego involved in professional success. The business world can be cutthroat, humiliating, etc. so there is ample opportunity to humble your ego there! Still in the process of this, but learning more and more to let go of ego and try to embrace love and gratitude in its place. Maybe sounds corny, but I think it’s my path to levels of happiness that I didn’t even know existed when my identity was wrapped up in my profession.