I’m someone who defines herself by her job.T he other day I was asked what I am passionate about, and the answer was writing. It’s something that I enjoy doing and take interest in doing.
Some warn against turning a hobby into a job but I don’t think it’s much of a confliction.
Of course there are days where I can’t make sense of some reports, times where I can’t make a sentence readable and those moments where I don’t feel like asking question after question, but those are few and far between. It’s not an inability to do my job. It’s not a lack of interest, or case of divided attention. It’s just a bit of writer’s block.
We all have situations that stump us and days that drag, but I truly believe contentment at work, brings happiness at home.
Throughout my growing up years, I was told that while it was important to be comfortable and be able to provide myself with things I need and some of what I want- money isn’t the say all and be all.
I didn’t choose my profession based on dollars and cents but rather because of the interest and passion I have for it. My job isn’t “work”. It’s something that I work hard at.
Of course it’s important to consider the salary and benefits that come with a job, but the figures and perks shouldn’t supersede the importance of happiness and fulfillment. The average person spends about 40 hours per week doing their job, that’s 2,080 hours or 87 full days each and every year. Why spend a good portion of your life unhappy? Why wake up each morning dreading the day ahead?
Our careers give us purpose and reason to wake up in the morning or in the evening (for those on shift work).
Even stay-at-home moms have their jobs to complete, their roles to fulfill. Heck, it’s the stay-at-home moms who work the demanding hours, sometimes starting at 4 a.m. working until 10 p.m., and even then they’re still on-call for midnight diaper changes or bad dreams.
According to research, the average person holds seven careers in their lifetime, some may hold as few as three and some as many as 10.
So far, my tally is one. I have yet to change careers, but there are many who do.
The opportunity to seek advanced training and additional education exists, and with trades, apprenticeships and certificate programs it’s quite easy (though costly) to become trained in a new profession. More training and better education just brings more value to the person as an employable individual and company asset.
The careers that we chose and the jobs that we do say a lot about the person we are.
Specific jobs require specific skills which are often telling of our personality and character. While I’d never be a banker because of poor math skills and never a nurse because of intolerance to bodily fluids, I could consider a career in tourism or even teaching.
That’s the thing. It’s never too late to try something new. As we age, we grow and evolve along with our hobbies, interests and strengths.
There are millions of jobs in the world, just look at Mike Rowe’s Dirty Jobs for inspiration; who knew a job description could include “worm grunter” or “mosquito control officer”?
While our jobs may feel challenging at times, it’s important to realize if you’re in the right career and in the right place, you’ll feel you’re learning and accomplishing more than you are working.
