I have a secret.

I have multiple personalities. I know it sounds weird, but I bet you do too.

You see, I’m a different person at work. When I walk into the office, I take on my “professional identity”. I’m not saying that I fake who I am. It’s just not the same side of my personality that I normally show when I’m at home or out with friends. It’s my work personality.

She’s a lot stronger than I am. She speaks clearly with confidence and an upbeat, friendly tone of voice. She isn’t afraid of making small talk with powerful people (in fact, she usually creates an easy rapport quite quickly). This gal is smooth under pressure, always thinking two steps ahead.

Mr. Toolbox would laugh to see her. She is so different from the frantic, giggly, gullible girl who loses her keys each morning. He wouldn’t recognize me in my “professional mode”.

I don’t think is all that unusual. I think we all create professional identities as a way of separating ourselves from work. It’s not a bad thing – in fact, I think it helps keep our lives a little more balanced. Surely people will say this is “being fake” and I don’t deny that. There’s nothing that says you have to be real at the office. I mean seriously – do you think the guy in the big Mickey Mouse costume at Disneyland always feels like dancing all day?? Probably not. He fakes it. His work personality is fun, free spirited, whimsical and fanciful. He forgets about his real personality – the one that is worried about how Disney’s stock is doing in his 401(k) plan. He puts on his professional identity and entertains the kiddies.

You can still be authentic in your “professional identity”. It’s not like you’re creating a whole different life. You’re just focusing on different parts of your personality – letting the best parts shine through even when they normally might not.

The question is: what kind of professional identity do you want to build for yourself?

Every day we have the opportunity to walk into the office and project the image of the exact type of professional we want to be. We can be confident, responsible, organized, well-spoken, positive, enthusiastic, driven…..You get the idea. Your work “personality” is yours to create. Maybe your boyfriend (or girlfriend) knows that you’re full of nerves about a big presentation. But that doesn’t mean anyone at work has to know. As far as their concerned, you’re the best presenter in the world!! Keep that in mind when you walk in the door and the biggest challenge is behind you.

Think about what you want your professional identity to be. How do you present yourself at the office?

• Do you show a dedication to hard work or do you barely squeak by?
• Are you enthusiastic and driven to succeed or do you do the bare minimum to pick up the paycheck?
• Do you seek out new opportunities or do you hide in the shadows?
• Do you ask questions and soak up the knowledge or do you act like you know it all?
• Are you a team player or do you go it alone?

Your identity is completely up to you.