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I Am What I Do: Reshaping our understanding of self and work
You meet someone for the first time, and after the introductions have been made the inevitable question “What do you do?”
We live in an age when our sense of self is deeply shaped by our work—the activity we spend hours doing each week, generally an activity we’ve chosen to suit our own interests and situation. Whether consciously or subconsciously, many of us are captured by the mantra “I am what I do”.
In his years working as a journalist and then as a mentor and spiritual adviser to urban professionals, Andrew Laird has seen the dangers of “I am what I do” from every angle. In this clear and compelling book, Andrew tackles the issue of work and identity head-on, showing the ways in which this mantra enslaves us.
But there’s Andrew also shows us how the good news about Jesus liberates us from this flawed way of thinking, changing our lives and bringing a fresh new perspective to our work.
We live in an age when our sense of self is deeply shaped by our work—the activity we spend hours doing each week, generally an activity we’ve chosen to suit our own interests and situation. Whether consciously or subconsciously, many of us are captured by the mantra “I am what I do”.
In his years working as a journalist and then as a mentor and spiritual adviser to urban professionals, Andrew Laird has seen the dangers of “I am what I do” from every angle. In this clear and compelling book, Andrew tackles the issue of work and identity head-on, showing the ways in which this mantra enslaves us.
But there’s Andrew also shows us how the good news about Jesus liberates us from this flawed way of thinking, changing our lives and bringing a fresh new perspective to our work.
- GenresChristian
77 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2024
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 4, 2024
One of the aspects of the "expressive individualism" air that we breathe is that I must find fulfilment myself, in my expression of myself.
But what a burden it is!
This short, 90 page book just gently peels back the layers with practical advice on working past that.
I loved his probing questions:
- how do I respond to criticism / praise?
- can I celebrate the success of others in my field, like I would appreciate a sunset?
- why do you work so hard?
- can you be real with your colleagues?
And his advice to spend some moments reflecting on genuine words of affirmation for others to prevent envy.
And that this short book is a summary of some other big books! So that's why it packs a punch.
But what a burden it is!
This short, 90 page book just gently peels back the layers with practical advice on working past that.
I loved his probing questions:
- how do I respond to criticism / praise?
- can I celebrate the success of others in my field, like I would appreciate a sunset?
- why do you work so hard?
- can you be real with your colleagues?
And his advice to spend some moments reflecting on genuine words of affirmation for others to prevent envy.
And that this short book is a summary of some other big books! So that's why it packs a punch.
Read
December 10, 2025A small but powerful book lent to me by my Grandpa. A valuable, free’ing and eye opening read on the destructive nature / road of having your identity rooted in your work instead of God. Even for those who may not strongly relate to this (although I believe we will all struggle with this at least at some point in our lives as a result to living in a broken world), it is good to be aware of the symptoms that may subtlety creep in over time, and how to identify them and combat them! Also loved the practical side of the book too.
September 7, 2024
⭐️ 3.5
“I am what I do”
The title captured my attention as it is something I have heard a number of my agnostic and atheist family and friends paraphrase in similar ways
Laird helpfully dissects this phrase in a very clear, concise and personable way. Laird says that to live by “I am what I do” is to perpetually never be at ease, never be content, and never properly rest, because your identity is tied up in the effort and worth of what you do instead of who we are.
And who is it that we are?
The encouragement for the Christian is that who we are is children of the living God. Safe and secure in his family. Already loved and treasured with nothing more that we could ‘do’ for him because he has done it all.
Laird uses the back half of the book to share some practical out-workings of what it looks like to not be caught up in “I am what I do”.
It’s not a ‘page-turner’ per se, but thoroughly thought provoking throughout. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to think more about work and purpose.
“I am what I do”
The title captured my attention as it is something I have heard a number of my agnostic and atheist family and friends paraphrase in similar ways
Laird helpfully dissects this phrase in a very clear, concise and personable way. Laird says that to live by “I am what I do” is to perpetually never be at ease, never be content, and never properly rest, because your identity is tied up in the effort and worth of what you do instead of who we are.
And who is it that we are?
The encouragement for the Christian is that who we are is children of the living God. Safe and secure in his family. Already loved and treasured with nothing more that we could ‘do’ for him because he has done it all.
Laird uses the back half of the book to share some practical out-workings of what it looks like to not be caught up in “I am what I do”.
It’s not a ‘page-turner’ per se, but thoroughly thought provoking throughout. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to think more about work and purpose.
May 27, 2024
How to bring glory to God, not ourselves, through our work
If your work-life balance is feeling a little off, the pressure of meeting targets and deadlines is leaving you feeling spent, and your identity so tightly bound with your job title that you struggle to know who you are when you take your work hat off, then this little book is for you!
I Am What I Do helps us to realign our view of work with the gospel, encouraging us to secure our identity in Christ, not career progression or status. The first half of the book looks at the background to the mantra of “I am what I do”, while the second half talks through practical ways to counter that as Christians. I found chapter 4 particularly helpful as it looked at envy and pride, and how having an identity secure in Christ sets us free to celebrate and lift up those around us, helping us to stand out as a beacon in our workplace, when many seek only to glorify themselves. This short book only took me an hour to read, and I thoroughly recommend this as a helpful reset for all.
If your work-life balance is feeling a little off, the pressure of meeting targets and deadlines is leaving you feeling spent, and your identity so tightly bound with your job title that you struggle to know who you are when you take your work hat off, then this little book is for you!
I Am What I Do helps us to realign our view of work with the gospel, encouraging us to secure our identity in Christ, not career progression or status. The first half of the book looks at the background to the mantra of “I am what I do”, while the second half talks through practical ways to counter that as Christians. I found chapter 4 particularly helpful as it looked at envy and pride, and how having an identity secure in Christ sets us free to celebrate and lift up those around us, helping us to stand out as a beacon in our workplace, when many seek only to glorify themselves. This short book only took me an hour to read, and I thoroughly recommend this as a helpful reset for all.
January 5, 2026
Contrary to the title, this book encourages us to define ourselves as worthy due to being God's creation as opposed to identifying ourselves by our individual roles. I find this reassuring for those who can no longer keep their particular work role.
The testimony of Steele Johnson and David Boudia is mentioned. After winning silver in the men’s synchronised 10m diving, Boudia told NBC, ‘We both know our identity is in Christ.’ Johnson added, ‘Going into this event knowing that my identity is rooted in Christ and not the result of this competition just gave me peace. And it let me enjoy the contest. God’s given us a cool opportunity, and I’m glad I could come away with an Olympic silver medal.’
The testimony of Steele Johnson and David Boudia is mentioned. After winning silver in the men’s synchronised 10m diving, Boudia told NBC, ‘We both know our identity is in Christ.’ Johnson added, ‘Going into this event knowing that my identity is rooted in Christ and not the result of this competition just gave me peace. And it let me enjoy the contest. God’s given us a cool opportunity, and I’m glad I could come away with an Olympic silver medal.’
January 16, 2026
A short book but super helpful for thinking through where we find our identity.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews