Why is defining yourself by your career a problem?

Arthur Brooks says that if your identity is being a successful professional, it is an identity built on fear, specifically the fear of failing. It strips away the other important parts of your life, including family and relationships. Explore more under identity.

What is the nine-part meditation for fear of professional failure?

Brooks adapts the Buddhist maranasati practice to professional loss. You walk through nine steps, from feeling you are losing your edge to rarely thinking about your old job, spending about two minutes on each. Do it for three weeks and the fear loses its grip, he says. For a related emotional tool, see Lean Into Imposter Syndrome, Don't Give In to It.

How should I plan for my skills and success to change over time?

Brooks recommends managing your life like a project: expect your skills and interests to change, accept that good times will not last forever, and engineer new good times in new circumstances. For more on career change, read The 4 Types of Careers, and How to Find Yours.

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