5 Reasons To Find Work You Love
Rev. Dr. Kitty Boitnott, NBCT, RScP
Heart-Centered Career Transition and Job Search Coach & Life Strategies Coach
Money is a powerful motivator. It has the power to drive many of the decisions we make in life. It could determine whether or where yo go to college. It could impact who you decide to marry. It may affect how many children you choose to have.
Maybe you chose your career because you thought you could make good money at it. Salary might lure you from one company to another or might drive how hard you work for promotions. After all, we all tend to equate having a lot of money with happiness.
I have recently binge-watched the first five seasons of "Schitt$ Creek" on Netflix. The premise is that the Rose family has lost a massive fortune. Their business manager has taken off with millions and left for parts unknown. The Rose family is left in debt, owing years worth of back taxes that the business manager never paid. They have gone from riches to rags.
They are left with what they can wear and carry out of their house in suitcases. Ironically, they are also left with a small rural town named--you guessed--Schitt$ Creek. Mr. Rose, the dad, bought the town as a prank birthday gift for his son, David, a few years before. The federal government deemed it worthless and didn't take it with all the other assets they claimed.
The first season of the show is particularly funny because it depicts just how out of touch with the real world they have become. They are all in shock for the first several episodes. They struggle with the simplest of tasks, including making their beds. If you haven't seen it, check it out. It is a great diversion from the news of the day.
So often when we talk about the "pursuit" of happiness we think of the pursuit of money. The problem with that mindset is that money alone does not bring joy. For examples of that, all one needs to do is look at the many celebrities who are unhappy. They have all the money they could ever need, and yet they aren't always happy. Indeed, some of them turn to other things in pursuit of happiness. They pursue happiness through substances like drugs and alcohol.
The best of all worlds includes pursuing happiness in the work one does and making money doing it. They are fortunate people.
Do you have trouble imagining making money doing something you would love to do? Then consider the five facts offered below that point to why finding work you love is so important.
1. Time
You will spend a lot of your life in the workplace. If you work the standard 40 hours a week, that's 40 hours times all the weeks that you work, week after week after week. For anyone in management or those who are self-employed, the workweek is longer than 40 hours. (I also know that a lot of teachers work way more than 40 hours a week.)
Much of your life will be taken up by work. Wouldn't it be better if you were engaged in work you enjoyed and felt deeply committed to?
I learned from my father's accident in 1986 that life could end in a second. So, why would you want to spend a single day of your life doing something that makes you miserable?
Work takes you away from your loved ones. It takes you from your hobbies and other essential activities.
Shouldn't you be doing something you enjoy?
2. Performance
If you don't enjoy your work, then there's a good chance it will negatively impact your performance. You may know what to do. You may do it well enough. But you may just be going through the motions without any heart or passion. It's difficult to put in extra effort when the activity you are engaged in is something you don't enjoy.
There are so many changes occurring within every industry right now. And it's all happening very fast. It's hard to keep up with all the changes. You may be good at what you do now, but tomorrow that could all change. When it does, you'll need to pay attention or risk becoming obsolete (and expendable). You will need to improve your knowledge and spend time learning to keep up with the industry changes. That's hard to do if you don't love the job.
3. Passion
Even if you somehow manage to perform well at a job you hate, you will run into an issue at some stage. It's difficult to fake passion. This could become an issue for anyone who seeks to fill a sales role or fill a leadership position.
It's difficult to inspire others when you are struggling to keep yourself motivated.
4. The Extra Mile
Employers are always praising the employee who goes the extra mile and makes an extra effort. Sometimes it's just one of those things you have to do. But it's much easier to put in that work when you care about your job. When you're passionate about it, it won't feel like going the extra mile. It will just be a continuation of your job description.
5. Fulfillment
When you have the luxury of loving the work you do, it adds to your sense of satisfaction in life. It helps you achieve your other goals more quickly, too.
My best advice to you is if you don't love your job right now, it's time to consider making a change. You owe it to yourself and your family to be happy. And being happy at work usually means that you will be more comfortable in other aspects of your life.
Money is necessary, but it can't buy happiness. It can't substitute for passion, and it won't substitute for loving relationships or good health. So, if you don't like your job, maybe it's time to consider making a change.
Maybe it's time to find work you love.
Until next time.
P. S.
Hey, did you hear about the new 14-day free trial I am offering on the "Jumpstart Your Job Search 2.0 Group Coaching Program?" I sent out an email a couple of weeks ago, and I have posted it on my website. Take a look!
Want a 14-day Free Trial on the Group Coaching Program?
Try the Group Coaching Program for 14 days with $0 down.
Cancel before the end of the 14 days and be charged nothing–
OR keep it and be charged $87 monthly in 12 equal payments.
| 
