To Work a Job You Love
written by Allan on November 29, 2011
Job satisfaction doesn’t always mean a fatter paycheck. Doing what you love every day and getting paid for it doesn’t usually mean you’ll work a shorter amount of hours. Producing things from your heart means that when you’re judged, it hurts worse. Putting your craft, your idea, your skill, your art out for the world to see means you may experience more fear doing it than you will while sitting at your current job.
To be happier on Monday, it might require you cutting your expenses back. It might mean you’re not going to be able to afford that new car, but here’s the plus side; once you’re doing what you love, those material desires dissipate, and you care about them far less. It’s human nature to buy shiny trinkets as a means to please your material self thus compensating for working a job you hate. You’re temporarily tricking yourself into thinking you’re happy, but the “shiny” things will tarnish. That new car will depreciate, and you’ll still be paying for it. That car note will keep you from leaving your job long after it’s rusted and gone flat. It’ll become a physical and mental barrier to real happiness. You’ll say, “I can’t leave my job. I have bills.”
A newer, more passionate version of yourself is waiting, and happiness is contiguous. It stops being just about you. You’ll look to free others from their enslavement. They’re trapped in their own ignorance and fear. It will hurt your soul to see the people around you counting the hours to Friday afternoon.
Your life won’t be perfect. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll respect yourself more, and you’ll respect the money you earn, because it’s a byproduct of your passion.
...at least that’s what happened to me.
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Allan loves his family more than breathing. He lives in Panama City, Florida & grew up washing cars at his family's car washes. Oh and Allan hasn't worn underwear since 2004.
10 Comments
Great post, Allan
I encounter this all too often in the work I do with my clients. What often starts as a purely financial discussion can quickly evolve into a much “bigger picture” exploration about whether they’re happy where they’re at or with what they’re doing.
When people are really honest – and this happens far less than it should – most are just going through the motions or living their lives to meet the expectations of others.
Like you, I can’t imagine doing anything different with my time. I love what I do, and it’s a bonus that I get paid well to do it.
I love this. Great reminder.
Alan,
This is exactly what I have been struggling with for the past several months. I am working on some ideas to allow me to leave my day job ASAP and follow my passion for teaching people how to get the most out of today’s technology.
I am looking forward to the day when I can wake up in the morning without being discouraged about going to a job I hate.
Great post!
@Dennis Keefe: Dennis, you will get there, it takes time. On the same token, sometimes you just need to jump head first, I’m not preaching about being foolish, I’m advocating being fearless.
I fully agree, Allan
I strongly believe that you will have everything in life that you want, if you can just help enough other people get what they want.
When you base life on getting materials is when you start living to work instead of working to live.
You wouldn’t want a relationship with no passion, why on earth would you spend more time doing something you care less about? Thanks for the articulation on this topic.
Thanks Allan! I needed that kick in the pants.
Thanks for this post! I think you’re spot on with the the idea of compensating your lack of joy with shiny things, I find this an easy trap to fall into.
Indeed Allan, indeed.
I think most people don’t stick with making the transition because it’s boring at first. At least, that’s what it was for me.
I put myself in a situation where life forced me to choose, and so I did (for the better). But there are times where you get bored waiting for things to improve, waiting for all green lights… alas, it’s not always going to happen.
You have CREATE the life you seek. One green light out of 3 is enough to take the chance.
I couldn’t agree more. Now that I know what I know, and enjoy what I do, it’s really hard to see others that could aspire not doing so.
What’s even worse, is that these types of people seem to be unwilling to make a few minor life changes to start moving their lives in a positive direction.
Many are too worried to go off on their own, seeking life. They are afraid to lose their secure job and weekly paycheck. I’ll tell ya what though, I’m not where I am in life because I was worried about my managers pay from Subway.
Those that meet me, say I’m lucky to be able to work from home. They ask how they ‘get a job like mine.’ It’s not a job. It’s a lifestyle. Hard work makes luck.