Love What You Do – Finding Joy in Your Career Path
The saying goes, “Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” While this saying sounds nice, sometimes, you will end up broke if you do what you love. it’s discipline, effort, and commitment that really produce results.
Balancing Passion and Practicality
The world operates off of supply and demand. Odds are that many others also love the things you love doing. Thus, you have to work extra hard to train yourself to be the best if you want to be successful in career fields where there is a much more supply of workers than demand for talent. A large supply of applicants in your chosen field can lead to the threat of being easily replaced, intense pressure to
perform, short careers, and burnout.
The better saying is, “Learn to love what you do.” Approach work with the right positive mindset. Make a conscious effort to find small enjoyable successes at work, and you will be far more likely to achieve success and lead a more joy-filled life.
Recognizing the Importance of Jobs Others May Overlook
The world needs people to fill the jobs that others may be unwilling or under-skilled. Get supply and demand working in your favor. Do the jobs where it’s difficult to find workers, and you will often command higher pay, and you may even find that the career ladder is easier to move up.
One of my favorite television shows is “Dirty Jobs” with Mike Rowe. He shines a spotlight on people who work at jobs that most other people would refuse to do. These jobs may not require a degree from an expensive university, but they need to be done.
Traditional College or Skill Based Learning
I’m a teacher. We just had college week at our school. This is a week where kids learn about different colleges. The belief that a college education is required for a successful future is firmly promoted and instilled in students’ minds. While I participate in these activities, and I think it’s great to teach kids about the importance of a good education, I think we overhype the need for college.
I have many college degrees and certificates. I have taken well over a hundred college classes. These days I learn better from reading blogs and watching videos online than I ever did by taking a college class. All of my interests are just a search away. So why is college needed? We still have not replaced college as a place that confers their certificate of trust in worthy candidates. I’m talking about college degrees. Colleges don’t just teach us, they test us. Pass the tests and prove that you are skilled. I believe this, too, will likely change.
As the billionaire CEO of Tesla and Space X, Elon Musk, famously said, “I think college is basically for fun and to prove that you can do your chores, but they’re not for learning… I don’t consider going to college evidence of exceptional ability.” I think this idea that it doesn’t take a college education to succeed needs to catch on. Instead, it takes discipline, hard work, commitment, and the right attitude.
Embrace Work
The saying that leads people to do what it takes to get ahead is not, “Do what you love.” It is “Love what you do.” Embrace work. Celebrate the fact that skilled labor is needed in all fields. Success isn’t just found sitting at a desk or in books, it’s also found in building your skill and honing your craft in jobs that don’t require an expensive college education. It’s good to look at where there is a need and work to learn how to fill that need. Learn to love what you’re doing in the process. The process requires making a choice and then putting in the work.
Conclusion
The key to a fulfilling and successful career is not just doing what you love, but learning to love what you do. While passion is important, it’s also essential to consider the practical aspects of your chosen career path. Recognize the value of skilled labor in all fields, and don’t underestimate the opportunities that jobs not requiring a college degree can offer.
Remember, it’s not just about sitting at a desk or being confined to textbooks; success can be found in embracing work, building skills, and positively impacting areas where there is a demand for capable workers. The journey to success requires discipline, effort, commitment, and the right attitude. So, let’s celebrate the joy of work and find satisfaction in filling the needs of the world with our passions.
