Sharpening the Mind: Who Am I? Deep Reflection During Nine Months of Unemployment

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I?” I have been asking myself that question a lot recently. I’ve asked myself that question on multiple levels. Who am I spiritually, mentally, and physically?

Deep reflection can do wonders for you. I know it has for me. I am a deep thinker, so it makes sense that I would reflect deeply. And while I will always remain, Daniel Bornt, the aspects of who I am change.

If you are not changing, you aren’t growing. I do not want to be the same person today as I was last week, month, or year. I certainly do not want to be the same person in five years that I am today.

The only way to grow as a person is to reflect on one’s life journey and make adjustments along the way. If you don’t think you need to grow, you need deep reflection.

I have been unemployed for nine months. During this time, I have spent some time reflecting, a lot of which I’ve posted here. Yet, for all that reflecting, I am still struggling with what my next steps are.

I am seriously struggling to figure out how to make money. I know what I don’t want to do: go back to corporate America full-time. My cousin and productivity coach, Mark, always says you have to start with your why.

Why are you here? This is not an easy question to ask, not for me. I know I want to help people. I want what I say to have a positive impact on others. Getting there is an entirely different issue.

Helping people is the main reason I started this Substack. It’s the same reason I am evolving the site. It needs to change as much as I do.

As much as I love writing, I have many more interests. My cousin says I need to focus on one thing, but I have never focused on one thing. I consider my varied interests a strength, not a weakness.

Certainly, I have to focus on one of my interests to develop a business model around. But that doesn’t mean I can’t work my other interests into my life. Before I can do that, I need to redo my list of likes and dislikes. This is an exercise Mark had me do a couple of years ago.

So, the next step is the like/dislike list. That needs to be my top priority. I promise to share it with you when it’s done.

Do you take time for deep self-reflection? What have you learned about yourself? I’d love to hear your story.

—Daniel