Humans are good at defining themselves and others as nouns. We love to label.
Doctor. CEO. Athlete. Teacher.
When we do that, we often overlook and undervalue the actions we take day in, day out, that really define who we are.
Defining ourselves as nouns can limit us. What happens to the doctor after they retire? What about the fired CEO? What about the athlete with the career-ending injury? These moments can leave our identity destroyed when we only define ourselves as nouns. But if we learn to define ourselves as verbs, we focus on the action rather than the title. It broadens rather than narrows the options. So, the doctor might have retired, but they can still care about the health of others. The ex-CEO can still lead teams. The athlete can still exercise.
Nouns are title orientated and are static. Verbs are action focused and are dynamic.
Oscar Wilde said that when you know what you want to be, you end up becoming it, which can be almost like a punishment. When you don’t know, it leaves the options open. You can be anything.
The other argument is that nouns can protect us from doing hard things. That label can be limiting and self-defeating. Can we really call ourselves something if we don’t continually do it? We like to call ourselves nouns without doing the verb first. People want the success without putting in the work. Instead of focusing on the label you are giving yourself, focus on the actual work you need to do to really embody it.
Linguistic determinism is the idea that language limits and determines who we are or what we become. Basically speaking, the language we choose shapes us. Nouns limit human potential. Verbs expand them.
Don’t just be a leader but guide and encourage your team to be their best. Don’t just be a student but develop and grow in all situations. Don’t just be a teacher but educate and inspire your class.
As the old adage goes, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ It couldn’t be more true.
In life, start being the verb not the noun.