Are You a Human Being or a Human Doing?

One of the great challenges of life is to find the balance between “being” and “doing”. 

As adults, particularly as adults in the United States, we’re conditioned that the only thing that matters is action. We define ourselves by our accomplishments. When we meet someone new, the first question is often “What do you do?” Our social media posts are filled with action: vacations, workouts, meals, parties. Most of us are paid based on the hours we work or the results we deliver.. Actions are important. Outcomes are important. Being a productive, contributing member of society, organization, family...those things are important.

But when our lives become all about doing, we can lose sight of what it means to be. When we fill our calendars with appointments, measure our worth by others’ standards and focus on financial outcomes as a proxy for our value, we can overlook things that are really important.

The Co-Active Coaching model is designed to help us find alignment between being and doing. For actions to have meaning, they need to be aligned with our values. For us to be effective leaders, parents, partners, we first have to understand and care for our own emotions. The most fulfilling and sustaining career is one that is in sync with our life purpose.

In some ways, “being” - simply existing - is a natural, effortless state. With no action, thought, feeling or awareness, we are always being. I’m talking about intentionally being. Asking questions like, “Who am I in this moment?” Or, “Who do I need to be in order to best serve my team?” Turning off the noise and focusing on who we really are - then deciding who we intend to be - can be both incredibly challenging and transformative.

I invite you to take some time today to sit quietly and ask yourself, “Who am I?” The answers may surprise you.