Focus 3 
People seek popularity and praise, and there are some who attempt to gain it by any means possible. They are fixated on how they are perceived by others. They want to be liked and admired. They want to gain approval, and they want to avoid criticism. If they perform in a way that gains approval and praise, they feel good about themselves. If they are criticized or ignored, they feel bad about themselves.
In the attempt to gain approval and avoid criticism, they get deceived into thinking identity is about appearance.
Sometimes this mindset is self-inflicted; other times it is the result of external expectations and pressure; much of the time it is a combination of both. But if you are constantly seeking to portray a certain image and allow your identity and self-worth to be tethered to the approval of others, you will suffer emotionally and relationally.
The truth is that your identity is not found in how you perform, what you achieve, or how you are perceived; rather, your identity is found in your character. It is found in being purpose-driven. Your identity is found in knowing your core principles and living and working in alignment with those principles.
Please note that when I say “principles” I am referring to timeless truth; that is, character attributes and virtues that have stood the test of time. The latest fashion and fads of our ever-changing and morally disoriented culture are woefully insufficient as a source for a healthy identity. A healthy identity is built on the foundation of principles that have been taught and applied for many generations.
Consider the words of the prophet Jeremiah (7th century BC) who said, “Stop at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah wrote those words in the 7th century BC. A good place to start are the four classic virtues advocated by Plato in 475 BC: Wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice (doing the right thing).
We would all do well to stop at the crossroads of our life and consider “the ancient paths, where the good way is.”
Does this mean that effort and performance don’t matter? Definitely not. But when you are purpose-driven and principle-centered, you work and perform because of who you are. You understand that you are not defined by your public image or personal brand; you are defined by your faithfulness to your purpose and principles.
You can err at either end of the performance spectrum. If you think that performance doesn’t matter, you are making a mistake. If you think that performance is the source of your identity and self-worth, you are also making a mistake.
When you are secure in who you are, the ego factor is eliminated; so is the fear factor. When you live by purpose and principles, you are liberated to work with greater focus and effort, because now your motive is not ego, self-image, approval, or the avoidance of criticism. Your motive is faithfulness to your principles and pursuit of the highest possible standards.
The core truth is that you are not designed to derive your identity from your job; rather, you are designed to express your identity through your job.
