We are all a unique mix of the 5 Identity Areas and our decisions, values, and vision are all defined by how these areas represent in our lives.  Everyone has an Identity Area that works in the forefront...we call this the Primary Identity Area.  Which of the following is the Primary Identity Area for you?

Mind: Cognitive Identity:

Cognitive Identity is your personal perspective of the achievements, improvements, and exercise of your mind.

The mind is your source of thoughts, reasoning, knowledge and wisdom. Everyone processes information differently. Some people prefer to think about big picture ideas, others prefer to work with their hands, problem-solving how things come together. Some people think artistically, others pragmatically. Whether you like to read, explore, chat, construct, analyze or challenge your mind in other ways, these are all important aspects of your Cognitive Identity. Cognitive Identity is your personal perspective of the achievements, improvements, and exercise of your mind. This aspect of your identity explores how your mind processes information, what mental challenges interest you the most, and the occupational path that you travel. It is your cognitive identity that motivates discovery as a means to fulfill your curiosity. Think of the books that you like to read, interest areas that you want to research, or new skills that you want to gain. This desire to better understand your world is important because it will help to define your intellectual interests and potential career path.

Relationships: Cultural Identity

  Cultural Identity is your personal perspective of society, culture and personal relationships.

Your cultural identity is your family history, your relationships, and how you interconnect with others. It is the combination of the genetic framework that you were given and the environmental factors that have shaped who you are. It relates to your preference of with whom you like to spend your time and the types of cultural characteristics to which you best relate. Cultural Identity also relates to how you maintain personal relationships. In essence, the people with whom you most strongly connect, whether that be from a familial, ethnic, and racial consideration or whether that means the "type" of person. Your cultural identity includes how you compare yourself to the rest of the world, your nationality, your socio-economic class, and even who you love and why.

Heart: Emotional Identity

Emotional Identity is your personal perspective of how your feelings guide who you are and how you see the world.

Everyone is born with a heart. Think of the heart not as a physical blood pump, but rather as a conceptual center of emotions. This is where you build your capacity to love and hate, feel joy and sorrow, and experience happiness and anger. Feelings are as natural and varied as thoughts. Everyone experiences and expresses emotions differently, just like people process information differently. Emotional Identity is your personal perspective of how your feelings guide who you are and how you see the world. Getting to know the roots of your emotions and how you express them is critical to understanding who you are. The better you understand yourself, the better you can understand others. Exploring your emotions and how they motivate you will lead to discovery and empowerment as you work to re-shape how you feel in the future.

Body: Physical Identity 

Physical Identity is your personal perspective of how you value your body.

Your body is essentially your health and the internal and external structure of your being. Physical Identity is your personal perspective of how you value your body. This identity element encompasses your personal abilities, sexuality in the broadest sense, and how you relate to the perceptions of others about your body. Physical abilities and desires vary from person to person just as your shape and appearance varies. Every body functions differently and we all have a unique perspective of what is "healthy". These self-perceptions and the struggles that can develop with them represent your physical identity. Over time you can influence your health, reshape your body, and develop new physical talents. How you value the health, shape, desires and physical talents of your body is what forms your Physical Identity. In focusing on your Physical Identity, you will explore your own body from head to toe and establish your own sense of value for your health, shape, desires and abilities.

Spirit: Spiritual Identity

Spiritual Identity is your personal perspective of your religious, ethical, and/or sacred beliefs.

Spirit is the animating force or source of vitality, energy, strength, and inner peace of within you. Everyone is born with a spirit; it is what gives you life. Some believe it is what guides you through life in the form of ethical, religious, or spiritual beliefs, while others see it as the electrical charge that maintains our nervous systems.   Spiritual Identity is your personal perspective of your religious, ethical, and/or sacred beliefs. This book looks at spirituality from four perspectives: religion, beliefs, spirit, and ethics. Ethics are a personal doctrine of what is right, just, and good when relating to others. Core beliefs are guiding principles for what your origin, purpose, meaning, and place is in the world. Religion is set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. You may find your spirituality drawing to one or all four perspectives. The importance is for you to connect to your spiritual self and draw from the energy that gives you life.

Copyright 2006

Burgess, T., Pugh, K., & Sevigny, L. (2006) The Personal Vision Workbook, New York: Thomson Delmar Learning