Last week was a little difficult for me. Upon reflection and in light of all the tragedies that are out there right now, what happened to me is quite insignificant. What happened is that a title was removed from me at work. I am no longer a Product Owner as my company. When presented that way it seems petty that I would be upset about it, but when in the moment I was upset. From a company perspective I agree with the decision and I support it. Just not the loss of the title.
For a few days I have been trying to figure out why I was so upset about it, when even I agree that it was the best decision. In the following days I have found that I am happier and more relaxed. I have not examined exactly why, but I still feel good.
What I have examined is why I was upset, and I can only attribute it to the fact that I wear titles in my life. I don’t think I am alone in that. Where I think I get a little lost is that I put a lot of effort into achieving a title and not as much in being that title. As I write these words I wonder if this is not the case with all my titles, I want them, I achieve the title, but I don’t always live the title. Before I met my wonderful wife I was the Manager and Product Owner. If I am to be honest I would say that I felt the Manager and lived it as well as I could, but with everything in life there was room for improvement. When I moved to the Product Owner role it was not something that I strove for but something that I tried to become. I learned the title and earned it, but I never lived the title. I definitely could have done better, and in the future I will pull from that experience many good things.
So, to get back on track, with all that effort into management and other titles, I started to focus very heavily on that title. I became that title, instead of focusing on me. Now with all the thinking I have been doing lately I realized that I have better titles to focus on in my life that will bring more happiness.
The Husband title has brought me great fulfillment and joy that words do no justice too.
The Friend title has brought me the friendship and companionship of some of the best people in the world. I continue to wear that title and will draw more people to me to grow and learn (which is the reason for my being on this world I reckon).
A new title of Blogger has been added to my list and I have learned so much from this title. It is hard to explain all that I have learned and now can help by teaching others.
With the loss of the Product Owner title I am now going to revisit and fully wear the Programmer title fulltime again. I have to say I like it.
Another title that I have had the pleasure of revisiting is the Brewer, or Zymurgist, title. I have to say, that if I didn’t have to worry about money (ie NOT work for a living) I would brew for a living. If you really want to find out how much I love brewing, just ask me about it. Oh my god (and no, no text OMG!) I love brewing beer. My dream would be a microbrew bistro with my friends dream game store above it. Also, if you have money and would like to make my dream come true, email me. Please.
There is a plethora (yes I said it!) of other titles I wear, but these few are dominating me right now. I will say that losing a title that I was not thrilled about is upsetting and refreshing at the same time. I think that I will have to focus on Programmer and Brewer a little more, without forgetting my Husband title.
What titles do you wear? What titles shackle you? What titles free you? Think about it, they can both define and confine you.