For most of us, the word love generates visions of a special someone, little pink and red hearts, romantic nights or sneaking kisses. Generally, the last thing that comes to mind when thinking of love is “work.”
Why is that?
Most of us spend the majority of our time at work. We eat a couple full meals there and even a few snacks. We develop personal relationships with the people we work for and with. We inject ourselves into our work environment by decorating our seating area or bringing in personal items to make us feel more at home. With as much time and energy as we invest in the place, shouldn’t we at least like the job we do?
Sadly, many of us do not, and as a result, the effort we put forth into doing our jobs usually stops at “what’s required” and occasionally reaches, “just above what’s required.” We pretty much go in, complete our hours, and go home to prepare for doing it all again the next day.
Consider this perspective: A person should love what they do. This does is not synonymous with doing what you love. I love writing, but monetizing my talent has proved difficult thus far. My granny loves collecting elephants, but she cannot make money doing it. You may love playing soccer or basketball, but chances are slim that you are ever going to make it to the big leagues doing it. Loving a certain activity, does not mean it has to be your career. If it can be, great, but if it can’t be, that doesn’t mean you need to be miserable with work. The next best option is finding work that you can love.
The grand thing about people is that we are dynamic and can find joy in doing a number of things, many of which we can survive off of. My friend Jose loves teaching and it shows in his commitment to improving the field. I have a friend who delivers for Fed Ex and he loves his job. I know a woman who recently left corporate after 30 years, to be a sign yielder for construction crews and she loves it! I’m not suggesting that everyone abandon their job for a blue collar position in order to feel better about what they do. I am suggesting that what you do to make money, doesn’t have to be something you hate.
And if it is something you hate, maybe you should consider looking into some alternatives. When people do what they do because they love it, it shows in the finished product and in the profits. Customers return for emotional value, not just monetary. You will feel better, your leader will feel better and the profits will go up.
The reverse is true also: When you don’t love your work, the sentiment manifests in the finished product. Ever been on the phone with a Customer Service Rep who seemed aggravated with your inquiries? Ever been to a drive through where you had to knock on the window and ask for ketchup, then knock again for a straw, then knock again because you ordered a chicken sandwich, but received a burger? Ever gotten a letter from a company that appeared to not have been proofread? Do any of these experiences feel good? Don’t they make you wish people would just find a job they can love and stop treating you like crap?
People owe it to themselves and to humanity to find a way to do something they care about; Something they can love, that also pays the bills. Take some time to figure out what you could do everyday to make some cash that will not require you to be miserable. Maybe you enjoy editing and proofreading peoples work. Perhaps you like organizing processes and creating step by step instructions. Jobs need these kinds of people. Employers need all kinds of people – don’t be desprate, figure out what you need.
I like talking to people and hearing how they thing; as a result I’ve decided to seriously try my hand at bartending. If it works out who knows, it could become my full time thing. If it doesn’t, it was still worth the shot to see if it can be something I love versus my current job, which is something I can not.
Love is such a fundamental building block to the human experience; it only makes sense to inject it into something that consumes so much of our lives as working. The results of doing so are sure to trickle into other facets of your life and bring positive results there also.
It may not be easy to transition, but isn’t your life worth it?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I would like to get paid for tweeting. I’m really good at it. Where’s the $$ in that?? lol!
But seriously, I’ve been looking into non-profit organizations lately for work. I figure: If I must be chained to a desk, at least let it be for the benefit of the homeless or baby seals or the environment.
It’s funny you should say that. I was looking at the non-profit route for work when I was trying to move back to Detroit. I care about my city so i wanted to help. Only it’s hard as heck to get in those jobs in Detroit. Hell, any job is hard to get in Detroit right now, but those jobs – virtually impossible…
But I feel you. Do something you can feel good about. Otherwise you are taking years off your life.
I wholeheartedly agree with this article. Although HR was/is my career field… the politics of Corporate America is NOT. It’s crazy… even when you find a job you love… there can still be an overwhelming aspect of something you can’t control, to hinder that. I, for one, absolutely LOVE Jose’s passion of/in his field. And I definitely find that *ish to be a rarity. The question: “How many of you love what you do?” – was once asked in a room full of 300+ people. Only ONE person raised their hand. It’s borderline similar to asking: How many people are working in their degree field? The #’s are strikingly similar.
Oprah says… “Find a way to do what you love & get paid for it.” I do agree. However… I, like you, LOVE to write. But somewhere along the hustle and bustle… I also feel like my mojo is lost. My old blogs were all for fun. Not really delving into the personal sides of my life. I took a break. Came back w/ more personal blogs… which is a problem for someone who actually thrives on being private; and now, I can’t seem to find the balance in my blogs. So… I’ve stopped – once again. *le sigh*
I got laid off from my gig. 2nd layoff. And although I was actually looking forward to being free of Corporate America… some self reflection has me toying with the notion of going back for a minute. My plan B (we’ll discuss offline) is currently my plan A… but I’ve realized that the layoff/ self reflection has afforded me the luxury of the ultimate job of all: Working on improving ME! I went back and read ALL of my blogs fro 2004 and realized a lot of things I wanted, but never went after. A lot of things I started, but never finished. A lot of what I like(d), dislike(d), love(d) & cherish(ed) about myself. And sadly, I can admit that I overlooked a large portion of my own happiness – in order to help someone else seek their own. And that was just no longer okay.
So ultimately… I’m on a happiness search. I do know that my caring & strength are both my upswing & my downfall – as I can be “too much” of either. But, I also know that it’s never too late to go back & make a new start to create a new ending. Kudos to those who have the courage & faith to step out of what’s familiar & into something they love. I don’t believe in the term: fake it ’til you make it, per se… but, I DO believe in the one that says: FAITH it ’til you make it. I do know I care in aiding in the betterment of people. I’m figuring out how to incorporate that into my life in ways that I no longer hinder my own growth. =o)
Good to see you writing again. Sorry about the length. May see you in ATL, as that’s one of my top choices of bouncing to.
PS. TheJaydedNYer should have registered/tried out to be the 1st MTVTJ. It’s a tweeting position. The contest is going on now… and the position pays: $100k a year. I know this contest is already in progress… but since there’s going to be 1, I’m sure that there will be others in the future.