The Art of Being versus Doing

Have you ever noticed when you ask someone the question, “How Are You?” you often hear responses like, “I’m so crazed” or “Life has been so busy.”  

We have been pre-conditioned to equate our value - and to a degree, our self-worth - with our busyness - the number of tasks we are juggling, the responsibilities we have on our plate, the scores of people depending on us, and the outputs we are expected to produce. This practice is referred to as Human Doings and admittedly, this was me.

Human Beings on the other hand, equate their value and self-worth to how they show up in the world, live their core values and beliefs, prioritize what matters most and share their gifts in an energetic and transformative way.

As Wayne Dyer said, “I am a human being, not a human doing. Don’t equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life. You aren’t what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don’t…you aren’t.”

This quote resonates with me as I continue to transition from my busy life as a corporate communications executive working full time plus to my more intentional and purposeful life as a coach.

When I resigned from corporate life in November of 2021 to pursue my passion for coaching, the transition was more difficult than I anticipated.  While I was excited about embarking on my coach training journey, because my identity had for so long been defined by my job, leadership role, and management responsibilities, I found this new undefined space where doing was replaced by being to be something I had to justify or defend.  

Fast forward a year and a half and I can honestly say the power of being versus doing is so profound.  I feel so much more inspired and empowered when I am in a state of being, creating a level of connectedness to my life and my purpose that fills me with a sense of calm, clarity and confidence like I have never felt before.

Are you a human doing or human being? What choices can you make in your life to expand your being? When you are being versus doing how does that make you feel? 

Unlock your full potential.