From a Venn Diagram to a Whole Sun Shining

The work you’ve been doing to protect your energy in group spaces has been about reclaiming agency over how you show up at work, which is a core part of your career identity.

Think of the classic work–life balance Venn diagram: two circles, one for work and one for life, with a small overlap. In most organizations, the “work” circle can feel like a separate world that dictates energy, time, and identity (often over your other circles). You either absorb the stress and dynamics of the workplace, or you retreat and compartmentalize. Neither circle truly reflects who you are or the life you want to live.

The Whole Sun Shining Model flips that. You are the center. Work becomes one (or a few) of the rays of your life, alongside others, like family, creativity, health, community, curiosity, rest, hobbies, etc. (Please, dear goddess, add more hobbies!)

You don’t leave your job to make this shift; you shift how you show up in your current role, how you engage with colleagues, and how you invest your energy. BOOM! Sounds basic, but it’s magical when you embrace this shift.

Guided Practice: Shifting Career Identity Through Your Sun

1. Draw the sun. (Think 2D cartoon with little triangular sun rays circling the circle.) A large circle in the center is “The Life I Want to Live” full of YOU and your core values.

2. Fill in your rays.

• Rays for key aspects: work, relationships, creativity, health, learning, adventure, community - feel free to get specific within categories - what matters to you? What makes you feel like you’re living a life full of impact

• Regarding work: identify which parts of your current role shine out from the core of your sun (they could be things like: autonomy, impact, connection, purpose or they could be certain aspects of your work like teaching, or mentoring)

3. Draw your clouds. Identify what dims your rays (stress, overwork, misalignment). How close are those clouds to your sun shining now? Are they seasonal? Permanent etched clouds?

What do you notice when you draw this? Tell me the body sensations, emotions that arise, and the stories of resistance.

You start by redefining yourself outside of your current career identity. You often have to do this while still in your current job so you can imagine next steps that feel expansive, not just another rinse-and-repeat version of what you’re doing now.

By putting yourself at the center and consciously shaping how your role contributes to your life, you begin to pivot internally, which can open possibilities for external change later, if you choose.