Strengthen your “I am…”
I’m Marina.
“Who are you? What’s your story?”
They once asked Tim Bergling, alias Avicii (1989–2018)—one of the most successful music creators of our time—this very question.
He simply answered: “I’m Tim.”
Well, I’m Marina.
You could visit my LinkedIn profile and find stories about the projects I’ve worked on, the titles I’ve held, the experiences I’ve gathered, and what others say about me. You’d see the schools I attended and the skills I’ve acquired.
Yet, none of that would truly tell you who I am.
It wouldn’t tell you why I pursued my degree or how.
It wouldn’t show you the positions I turned down—and why.
It wouldn’t reveal the losses I’ve experienced in life.
It wouldn’t let you feel what it’s like to work with me.
It wouldn’t disclose the roles I’ve played without holding an official title.
It wouldn’t capture the moments that shaped me beyond my career path.
Yesterday, I read a post about learning how to position yourself better & sharper in an interview. And I asked myself:
“Do we really need to learn to position ourselves better, or do we need to learn to take a deeper interest in each other?”
In the documentary I’m Tim, there’s a scene from a time when Avicii was already a global superstar. Labels told him:
“You need to grab the crowd’s attention within five seconds.”
That limited his creative drive and motivation, because in the end he just wanted to make music, for the sake of making music – and he was a genius in that.
How often do we adapt to external expectations and guidelines instead of just staying true to ourselves?
The truth is, we can never fully grasp our own potential, talent and being – or that of others, because the magic lies between the lines. But for sure, no song, project, degree, title, or job experience can define who you are.
Maybe you want to say it out loud with conviction & strength “I am…”
Feel the impact, when the full power of that moves through your whole body.
Today, on my birthday I want to encourage you to stay true to yourself and honor your “I am…” No matter what the world might expect.
Feel, Lead, Belong
MARINA&TEAM
