What Do You REALLY Do?

“So, what do you do?”

Probably the most common question when meeting someone for the first time, but have you actually thought about your answer? Do you just give your title and the company you work for and then get sucked into talking about work that you are not all that thrilled about? Do you secretly want to talk about the other side projects you are working on that actually give you more life than your desk job? Your art, your passions, and dreams may be only a hobby but deserve to be out there in the world just as much as if you are making it your career.

This post was inspired by a quote from podcast episode with Lewis Howes and Joshua Fields Millburn, and an interaction I observed between two friends, that really got me thinking about what I do.

I’m still getting sucked into the trap of talking about my “old job.” Though, through time and awareness, I am slowly breaking free of that and finding what I REALLY want to do, and am doing it! For me, it is photographing portraits, but more so about connecting with people and learning about what drives them and feeling the deep connection to their art. The portraits are the result of those connections. I am more than just a Portrait Photographer. The truest version of ourselves, in my opinion, are when we are deeply connected and living our art. I want to share that with you, and the world.

At a recent grand opening event for a good friend’s studio space, I witnessed an interaction that really stuck with me, and only later was reminded again of it after listening to that podcast. An interaction between two people that knew each other but not much about the other. Maria, who you see on this post and was a featured Artist Profile, initiated the conversation with the “what do you do” but then followed it up with “But what really gives you life, what do you really want to do?” I observed this interaction and saw the other friend’s demeanor completely change and light up as he spoke of his passion and dream. Why don’t we ask that of everyone we meet?

I’m inspired by everyone I work with. Another example of this is Matt Lagarde, another incredible person I call a friend and music teacher who says he teaches not just music but teaches human beings, and teaches them how to be better. There is more to our art and work than our title.

I want to give people the chance for their true self to be seen. The thing that makes you come alive and allows for your true self to come through. It may be done in the comfort of solitude, or as your career. It’s that thing that brings value to your life. I will be asking this more and more as that is where the connection is, between a person and their passions and dreams, and between people.

I ask you now that same question.

What do you really do? Think about it. If inclined to share, you can do so in the comments.