7 Is A Magic Number: My 7 Core Identities Revealed
Ah, a cool breeze was in the air on my first walk this morning.
My sister had texted me saying she won two VIP tickets to Oktoberfest in Tulsa in late October. We’re Oktoberfest nerds, so she was offering me the chance to go. I love it.
And, I am shocked that it is right around the corner. It seems like summer is still in full swing. And it is. Up in the PNW, it is July through September that are the real summer, versus May through September that exists in states to the South.
Interestingly, my sister’s generous offer ties into one of the 7 Identities I have defined this past week (The Adventurer).
Side note … I always seem to come back to 7, don’t I?
The Seven C’s, my numerology destiny number is 7, too. And, from my marketing and business strategy days, you always want to be in the top 7 consideration set. Top two if you can, but if you are in the top 7, you are in the game.
Nevertheless … back to the topic …
Today, I want to give you a brief overview of the 7 identities I defined. I Want to explain them a bit by Trying to get to their essence or core components. Explaining what makes one different than the other is the goal.
They are all a part of me. They are all reflections of my personal mythology and values. Going back to the “What Would Aragorn Do?” series of articles, and “The Magenta Myth.”
think of them as facets on a diamond. Facets and the cut of the stone are what give the gem its brilliance of color and light. The top facet, the smooth top surface, could be thought of as the primary facet on which the others surround and support.
That is the identity I am trying to decide on for the next chapter. Prioritizing my values of freedom and simplicity this next year tell me to pick one identity and stick with it for a period of time. Then I can rotate.
A lot of preamble, as I saunter towards the big reveal, but these are important points for you to keep in mind as you think about your own life design after reaching FIRE.
Before FIRE, the primary identity is a given or chosen.
In my case, it was given. I had to be available and build my life around my commute, work hours, and job responsibilities and expectations of someone in a role like I was.
Without further ado, here are the 7 Identities, with bullets explaining how each is different or unique. I will likely have future articles doing a deep dive on some, if not all, of these.
The Student
Lives in a Back On Campus environment for 2/3 of the year, and a dorm-simple lifestyle versus a traditional home is more important. Semi-nomadic, this allows the student to go explore 1–3 new places each year for longer stretches of time than a “vacation.”
Has a part-time job, internship, or does a seasonal job for 3–4 months, or all 3. Does this for community over wages, learning and enjoyment over vocational calling, but it can be both in both cases.
Participates in classes, extracurricular activities, and revelry. Learning is focused on something like Dr. Bob’s Self-Actualization class (as described in my Back On Campus lifestyle strategy). The Musical production, bicycling class-type opportunities (e.g., open mics, walking/hiking groups), enjoying the food, wine, and events the places (and surrounding areas) offer.
The Professor
Lives in a Back On Campus environment for a minimum of 9–10, likely all 12 months, thus, a traditional home works as well or better than dorm-simple living.
“Professor” is vocation-centric, not in the traditional academic sense, but one who does teaching, counseling, bringing expertise, leading and facilitating individuals and/or groups towards an intended set of transformations.
Community comes from hanging a shingle out, local connections, and travel is centered on research and development events.
The Local Troubadour
Prefers a concentration of music opportunities and spaces, like a Back On Campus environment. Could be a “dorm” or a “home” as long as quick access is kept (like the Professor). Somewhere to record is important, too.
Unlike the Professor, there is no “vocation” push here. They do their art for art’s sake. If any Vocation, it is on songwriting over performance gigs, travel is minimal, so gigs would be local or within an easy drive.
A place that has a welcoming music scene that fits their artistry, and enough of a community to plug in and play regularly.
The Nomadic Troubadour
A place to “hang their hat” and “store their gear,” so logistics and costs become important. Back On Campus environment works, and leans more dorm-simple than traditional home. Needs a “vessel” of some sort, logging many miles within it.
The vocational pull here is still art for art’s sake, but the artist is more driven to get their songs heard. It is not about money, it is about a share of ears, and the right type of ears.
Eventually wants a team, a crew. The road and sea are where they spend most of their time. Travel companion(s) preferred, good “crew” dynamics.
The Seeker of Integration
Nomadic to semi-nomadic, hang a hat, collect the mail, for identification, but dorm-simple rules. Needs multiple places, favors places centered on “becoming.”
All location, vocational, and participatory endeavors are channeled through “does this help with integration?”
Solo pilgrim, transitory in nature, relationships found in workshops and intentional communities, preferences for longer experiences vs. “weekend” encounter groups.
The Adventurer
One place, and perhaps temporary, unless having two or staying put is part of the next adventure. Leans dorm-simple, unless owning a dream home is the next adventure.
Zero vocational concern, everything takes a back seat to following bliss. “Why not?” is the reason; energy, excitement, and enthusiasm are the measuring stick.
Far-flung networks of friends and family, constantly saying hello and goodbye, unless there is a return to favorite places.
The Snowbird
Dual mode or single place and nomadic with the seasons. Place driven by weather and environments. Migration and rambling are core to this identity.
The vocational calling is to release their “inner child”: play, aliveness, expression, connection are the measuring sticks.
Returns to multiple places regularly; community is in those places, slow travel rules, could have traveling “flock” companions.
Well, there you go. These are the identities. The dreams and goals flow from them. The places and living conditions support or hinder them.
Which will I choose as the primary in this next chapter?
We will see.