The Five Things You Need to Know About Finding the Work You Love

Thomas Herold Says:

August 8th, 2008, 23:31 pm

Ask your friends about what they think you can do best. You may surprised what they tell you.

Think about when you were a kid, what was the most fascinating thing?

What would you do if you only had one month to live?

Cheers

Thomas Herold
CEO Dream Manifesto

Scott McIntyre Says:

August 8th, 2008, 23:31 pm

These are very solid pointers towards, ultimately, finding job satisfaction, Leo.

All too often, financial necessity keeps us trapped in loveless jobs of convenience.

I have found that the jobs I’ve been most passionate about are ones where my skills, interest in the work, and mutual respect for colleagues have all come together in a knockout way.

Writer Dad Says:

August 8th, 2008, 23:58 pm

I’ve never been happier to go to work. I didn’t have a clue that this is where I’d be a year ago, but I’ve never felt more comfortable in my skin. Even during the next few months of transition, when I might have to rice and bean it at every meal, I still feel like I won the lottery.

Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:

August 9th, 2008, 0:10 am

“To go wrong in one’s own way is better than to go right in someone else’s. In the first case you are a man, in the second you’re no better than a bird.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

MS Says:

August 9th, 2008, 0:14 am

This is a really awesome summary! I know several people complain about lists but personally that makes it easier for me to remember and get the “meat” of information without having to dig too much…I wish there was a way I could email some of these articles to my loved ones…the email function on here only signs me up for daily emails which I kind of don’t need as I have it on MyYahoo! page.
Anyways thanks again for all your insightful posts and finds… they really do help me find a balance in parts of my life…

Eric Brown Says:

August 9th, 2008, 0:29 am

There is something beautiful and fulfilling in chasing and finding your passion. But there is another way.

One can look forever. The other way is to simply embrace what you have — be it your partner or your career. Make your attitude positive and strengthen your commitment. You might surprise yourself to find out you are already living your passion or connected to your soul mate.

Perfection is a myth - a distraction even - look for it past a certain point and you will wander forever. Some believe we’re guided - accept that perhaps you’re guided to where you are because you’re doing your passion if you just accept it as such.

Most of the important things I’ve done in my life - running marathons, raising kids, getting married, working with colleagues - were difficult. In a good way. I learned, I got angry, I got hopeless, I made mistakes, I had fun and I laughed. But it was the commitment and attitude that carried me. And I’d say I am a passionate person - about life.

This is not to suggest foregoing ambition, staying in a rotten relationship or a job that is demeaning or dangerous. It is just if your bored, try changing your attitude and commitment and see how you feel next week or next month.

Overcoming Lifes Obstacles Says:

August 9th, 2008, 0:35 am

Love the post. I read an article not too long ago that stated 80% of people dislike their jobs. That’s a real sad figure - no wonder there’s so much unhappiness in the world.

I reccomend everyone take Leo’s sound advice and take the time to find what you love and then get busy making money doing it. You’ll be a lot happier!

Shanel Yang Says:

August 9th, 2008, 1:03 am

Great post, Leo! We need to reconnect with what made us happy since we were kids b/c that tends to be the same stuff even while we were growing up — though somehow it got buried along the way. I list the 10 questions we should ask ourselves to help us all remember what that was in my post “Childhood Happiness” at http://shanelyang.com/2008/07/25/all-about-you-day-3-childhood-happiness/

United Voices Says:

August 9th, 2008, 3:18 am

I went through your article twice. I loved it. I liked what you said like, don’t stop. If you stop you’ll fall behind.

I also like Steve Jobs statement as well. Very much inspirational.

Shawn Tuttle Says:

August 9th, 2008, 3:25 am

I particularly like your suggestion #3 about looking in “funny places”. Since the days are gone of a one-profession life, identifying different aspects of your passion through exploring different interests is something of a necessity rather than a luxury.

My work has culminated from my experiences in Admin, passion for coaching, love of yoga, explorations in meditation, interest in writing, desire to speak, fascination of business, etc. Whodda thunk??

banji - LessonInLife Says:

August 9th, 2008, 3:41 am

Just a though.. Instead of quitting job to find things we love, isn’t it so much easier to learn to love the job we are doing right now?

Leo Says:

August 9th, 2008, 4:40 am

@banji: In some cases, you might be right — if a job is already pretty decent, you might be able to learn to love it … but in many other cases, people actively dislike their jobs and it would be hard to change that. I was one of those people and I’m glad I changed.

musti Says:

August 9th, 2008, 4:54 am

I love reading this kind of posts…”find what you love doing and do it.” Warm and fuzzies.
In a realistic world however, the system does not work this way. When you go in the grind, at the end of the day you need to put bread on the table and/or dog food in the bowl. Then this kind of posts become nothing more than “yeah, that would be cool” posts. When there’s too much competition around you (like when you live in Istanbul or NYC), you have to work in the job you find, or someone else will gladly do it.

In other worlds, let’s get real.

Mike Says:

August 9th, 2008, 6:06 am

“Your actions are your only possessions.” ~ Lao Tzu
I think that quote is rather appropriate for this article.

@musti - That’s a rather negative outlook on jobs.

Pete Says:

August 9th, 2008, 7:01 am

This is the story of my life, and the inspiration for my blog. As a matter of fact Leo, we seem to be on the same wavelength somehow :)

I used to be chasing money, till I learned that is not only pointless, it is a miserable experience too. So I gave up everything, started a blog with my partner. We decided we would only work on the things we want to do. We would not just do things for $$$.

Since we have made that change, life has slowly gotten better. At first, it actually got worse, because things were slow, but after that, things have begun to blow up, so to speak. People genuinely love our work because we put our heart and soul into it.

http://www.YinVsYang.com

Carol at Invite Presence Says:

August 9th, 2008, 7:16 am

I agree with everything in your article Leo, and I would add that an integral part of finding clarity about what we want to do is to ask the question and then find a way to get quiet, get still, and listen to the deeper, wiser part of ourselves that is our best guidance…..

Paul Richards Says:

August 9th, 2008, 7:39 am

I’m a huge fan of your blog Leo.. first time commenter.
I’m currently trying to navigate my way to a career change.
This post is so timely and helpful.. I’m going to print it out and stick it up on the wall to keep motivating me to find the work I love.

Glen Allsopp Says:

August 9th, 2008, 7:47 am

Great points, i love the first one the most. So many people are caught up in the belief of ‘fate’ that they just expect their dream job to come to them without doing anything.

You really have to seek it and open your life up to the possibility of being able to do it.

Cheers,
Glen

Leo Says:

August 9th, 2008, 7:56 am

@musti, who said that we must get real:

That’s exactly the kind of attitude that keeps people trapped in jobs they don’t like — because they feel that they need to put food on the table and that pursuing their dream isn’t realistic.

I understand it completely, because I had the same attitude. But I changed my mindset, and began to realize that things are possible, if you decide to go after your dreams. Until you change your mindset, though, nothing will happen.

I’m not the only one who has pursued his dream and found it. Many, many others have done the same, and are successful and happy and productive.

In the end, though, it’s your choice. You can either take action, or don’t.

Boxcar Children Says:

August 9th, 2008, 8:07 am

I think the pursuing of a dream job is sometimes the hardest.
People don’t like to go out on a limb if/when they have a “perfectly safe” job already.
Sometimes the best way to pursue a dream job is if you have nothing else to lose. Or like Leo points out, they have a mindset where it’s realistic.

Good points. I need to get into that mindset so I can leave my not-so-dream job.

banji - LessonInLife Says:

August 9th, 2008, 8:22 am

@Musti - I understand your pov. When it comes to earning paycheck to pay the bills, we usually will agree that having a job is better than no job.

We must then learn to love our job. My aim for now is just to get up everyday without sighing “I hate working” :)

@Leo That I agree. Almost 95% of people will hate their job. Sometimes I wonder if it is a mind thing. that even when we do what we love, we will soon start to hate it.

Anyway, all of this reminds me of a quote “Do what you love and you will never work your entire life”

PeaceCat Says:

August 9th, 2008, 8:47 am

@Banji “Sometimes I wonder if it is a mind thing”

I often think this too, as I’ve noticed that I have odd days at work where I’m bored and the day is a total drag, while other days I’m happy, motivated, finding meaning in what I do etc. (I’m a Personal Assistant).

The funny thing is, when I’ve analyzed this, the actual work is generally the same, just my mental attitude towards it is completely different. I’ve also noticed that the slow boring days often come about when I’m not taking enough time for myself in my personal life.

I expect this is true with most jobs, if you don’t take care of your own needs first, ensuring your own batteries are fully charged, your work will take it all out of you and leave you tired, de-motivated and possibly even resentful.

However, there are sometimes job satisfaction factors that are beyond our control, e.g. an office bullly, a pointy haired boss etc. in which case it’s usually better to just leave rather than wait and see if things to improve, the bully to leave, or the pointy haired boss to find his humanity :D I once had to leave what was otherwise the best job I ever had due to such factors, but I don’t regret it for a second, life is too short to let others bring you down.

Sorry, I’ve rambled, but I think there may be a point in there somewhere :D

MrAchievement (Stanley Bronstein) Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:03 am

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones always talking about your gift. He actually says you shouldn’t look for your gift, BUT your gift will find you. I tend to agree on that one, simply based upon my experiences.

I posted a short interview clip I took of him where he talks about this. It’s on YouTube.

It’s at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mtDuo8kZeM

It’s well worth your time. While watching, say a prayer for Charlie because he’s currently in hospice and not doing so well.

Stanley Bronstein
MrAchievement

Lisa | Holistic Treatment for Depression Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:10 am

I think it’s interesting to think about your life’s work as other than your “job” — for example, my goal is to be home with my children, and I love writing, so creating a website was an extension of both my loves.

Creating freedom so that my husband and I can make the choices we want is also huge motivating factor in thinking about how we want to work. So, creating endeavors that ultimately make us less dependent on jobs is our goal.

It’s interesting, because we wanted the lifestyle first — freedom, simplicity, independence — and out of that came the work which we happen to love. I wonder if that’s part of the process, too?

guerriere, warrior woman Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:15 am

I think this post contains excellent advice for people who are genuinely in unhappy situations, however, I tend to agree with commenter Eric Brown - that you can get carried away trying to ‘find yourself’. Most of the time, especially in wealthy western countries, we need to learn to be happy with what we have.

The Financial Philosopher Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:18 am

Leo, you said, “Work you want to do, instead of just have to do.”

If you are doing what “you want to do,” as a sole source of income, suddenly your passion becomes a necessity, unless money is not an issue.

For some, not all, the passion flames die out when the freedom becomes bound by the necessity to earn a living with the passion. In other words, what “you want to do” becomes what “you have to do.”

I suggest that one pursue their passions without the goal of earning money. If the money follows (or does not follow), then nothing should change.

I imagine you can attest to this. I am sure many of your readers are struck by inertia but they are also concerned of killing their passion by attaching it to money.

“You have freedom when you’re easy in your harness.” ~ Robert Frost

“Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” ~ Epictetus

Thanks for the thought-provoking post…

Kent (The Financial Philosopher)

Jeff@MySuperChargedLife Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:53 am

You have to take some risks in life if you want to live it to it’s fullest. Unfortunately, no one is going to hand you the work you love on a silver platter. In a way, you have to work at finding the work you love.

I agree that it takes a lot of experimentation. I think it often also requires maturity to realize that regardless of what you do, not every moment is going to be all roses. You have to learn to take the highs and lows in stride.

I can’t imagine remaining forever in a line of work that I truly felt was absolute drudgery. No reality is worth it. There are always options. You just have to be willing to choose them.

Marco Sanches Says:

August 9th, 2008, 9:54 am

I looked Zen Habits at a glance and found it amazing.

Now, Leo Babauta´s cool blog is my favorite website once it integrates very nice tools and tips, and it makes me review a lot of conceptions for a true work and life balance.

Thanks for this wonderful blog, Leo !

Marco Sanches
Banking Technician
Caixa Econômica Federal - Brasil

The Scottish Saint Says:

August 9th, 2008, 10:13 am

My only real question is how do you make this change when you need to support a family. A friend of mine/professor at my college posted this blog and I asked him the same question. His initial answers were funny, but he and I both knew, not quite the needed answers: namely a sugar mamma (until I pointed out I already have a wife) and then an unrelated benefactor (he declined this position when asked).
So, I’ll ask you Leo, how do I do the work that I love when it’s hard to break into and even once you do there’s no guarantee of making enough money to support a family I already have? Because just making it on rice isn’t good enough, not if I’m going to support my wife and one day my children.

Zendad Says:

August 9th, 2008, 10:52 am

They say it’s a job you love if you would do it whether you are being paid or not. Although I still like getting paid, you have to eat!
Zendad
http://www.zendad.net
Good post Leo!

designer4u Says:

August 9th, 2008, 11:09 am

Now I become regular reader of your blog. I added your link in firefox bookmark. Again found useful post here.
Thank you… dear LEO!

Kimberlee Says:

August 9th, 2008, 11:33 am

Thank you for this article! I’m just starting my freelance writing career, and learning more about what I need to do to pursue it. I’m finding out it’s a lot of work, but instead of dreading it, I’m thrilled! Most of my “real jobs” have been boring and lifeless. I’m finally going for my dream, and this blog has been one of the reasons that I’m ready to take the plunge. (I’m still keeping my “real job” until my income increases from freelancing.) Thank you for all you do!

~Kim

Tom Says:

August 9th, 2008, 12:53 pm

At the end of this month I am leaving a job that has provided extremely well for my family and me for the past seven years. I am also leaving an industry that I have worked in for 25 years. Why? Because over the past three years I have come to realize that the work that I have been doing is not congruent with my soul’s purpose in this lifetime. It isn’t that what I have been doing is “bad” or socially unacceptable, it is just that it is not mine to do, and while I have been doing it, I have been keeping my own particular light under the basket (as Jesus instructed us NOT to do). I have decided to place it on the stand for all to see.

While the advice given above is good, my experience is that it doesn’t go far enough. What we all need in order to be fully initiated adults, that is, initiated into a full acceptance of our own particular gifts to give, is a journey into our very souls. What we lack today in our society are wise elders who understand this and are able to guide those of us feeling a calling for something different in our lives. Indigenous people had ceremonies, the best known of which is the Native American Vision Quest, that were used for this very purpose. We basically have none of these, although there are many, like myself, who are attempting to bring these back.

The question is not then, how should I earn a living, but rather, how do I manifest my soul in the world? If we are doing the later, the former will cease to matter so much. Eventually, they may become one and the same.

The key to moving toward this kind of life? Being willing to do whatever it takes. My personal experience is that simply being willing is often enough. The universe will rush forward to support this energy and all of your needs will be met.

Blessings

Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters Says:

August 9th, 2008, 13:06 pm

We have to seek out our career. It’s never going to fall in our lap. I believe it’s all about the baby steps. I’m prone to making a mountain out of a mole hill, so I always start with small tasks then reassess. If it feels good then I keep going.

John Thomas Says:

August 9th, 2008, 13:18 pm

Tom Stanley wrote very similar arguments to yours in his book “The Millionaire Mind.” He interviewed deca-millionaires in the USA (net worth $10 million or more), and this book is the conclusions of his research about how they think. He said for deca-millionaires the money is only a part of why they chose their particular permutation on their career path. They tended to find, stumble-upon, fall-into a job that matched their particular strengths (though that may not have been apparent at first based upon their initial performance. They had to work at it to get good at it, and sometimes, it was only THEN that they fell in love with it). They worked, not because they need to, but because they loved the work itself. In their cases, they just made sure it would be financially rewarding, too, but their view on going after the money seemed to be only how to take this industry, job, career, vocation that they loved doing and developing the business/work model to be profitable. The money itself was not the primary motivation to keep doing the work. These folks didn’t need the money.

- John

Leo Says:

August 9th, 2008, 18:29 pm

Great discussion, guys!

@Scottish Saint: I thought about writing about how to make the transition from your current job to the job you love, once you’ve found it … either in this post or in a separate post … but the problem is that the solution is different for each person. There isn’t a single way to make this transition, and it depends on how much spare time you have available, your financial situation, what steps you need to take to make the transition, what the new job requires, etc.

However, here’s one way (the way I used):

1. Simplify your life as much as possible to free up as much extra time as you can. This includes your current job — is there a way you can cut back on your daily tasks to just the essentials?
2. Use the free time to devote to your dream job — that might mean taking classes at night or online, starting up a business in your free time, doing freelance in the spare time you’ve created, etc.
3. Slowly make the transition from one job to the other — it could take a little while.

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

August 9th, 2008, 21:40 pm

I agree 100% Leo! I’ve always been a passionate person and I tend to not only REALLY love work that I love but I REALLY can’t stand work that is unappealing to me. In my early 20’s I tried everything under the sun. At one time or another I was a bank teller, cashier, car salesman, toy salesman, office supplies salesman, waiter, caterer, furniture delivery man, etc… I would try one job for about 6 months and after I realized I hated I would move on to the next one. The first problem with these jobs what the fact that they were all J-O-B’s. They were the kind of jobs where you go in at whatever time someone else wants you to come in and then they tell you what you will do all day long. These jobs are generally very unchallenging with poor pay.

Some people would say that I was job hopping and that I needed to stay long enough to move up the latter and make something of it. But like Steve Jobs said “As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” And I knew every time that they just weren’t the right job for me. Eventually, while selling computers at a local electronics store, I started getting requests from customers to come to their house and setup their new computer for them. And they would offer me a whole day’s pay for a one hour job.

Well, here was the cross roads. Some of you are saying to just enjoy what you have. That’s great advice for many things but in this type of situation you are bound to be stuck if you don’t keep looking for ways of “upgrading” your situation. I’m a seeker of a better life for me and my family. So in this situation I did the only thing I could do. I quit my job and started a computer consulting business. Within a few months I was working half as much and making twice the money. And I was doing something that I really enjoyed.

I’m not trying to promote the idea of starting a computer consulting business. I’m just saying that, like Leo said, sometimes it can just fall in your lap. But then he followed it up by stating the fact that much of the time it doesn’t. I would suggest a hybrid version of that statement by saying that by being persistent enough and never settling for less than your heart’s desire, the right job will find YOU. And when it does, you will just know.

Now, it’s been about five years in my consulting business, and though I enjoy it I am still not where I want to be for the long haul. Leo, you know EXACTLY what I mean! I can tell from reading blog and your background that you may have enjoyed your previous position but that doing THIS full time was more your heart’s desire. Now you have SO MUCH MORE freedom to seek your own path and enjoy helping others improve their lives while you work on improving yours. So I too continue to seek more and more life upgrades and seek better ways of making a living. So continues the journey!

Debbi Says:

August 9th, 2008, 22:34 pm

Great post, Leo!

I’m reminded of a woman I interviewed for an article who’s gone from a life in the projects to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

She was willing to take risks to get what she wanted because she would always ask herself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” And when she realized she could survive whatever that was (failure, frustration, etc.), she was able to go forward and do the things she most feared. And succeeded!

People tend to hold themselves back because they’re afraid of failure. They forget that success is another possible outcome.

Evelyn Lim Says:

August 9th, 2008, 23:05 pm

“It won’t find you — you have to seek it.” How true. Yet most of us prefer to remain stuck in our current unsatisfactory job because we are well within our comfort zone. We are limited by fear to seek what will truly make us happy.

Vishnu Says:

August 10th, 2008, 1:31 am

In my case I find that taking ownership of my job (or whatever I do) sets me free

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

August 10th, 2008, 5:06 am

“The greater the risk, the greater the reward.” Life’s going to happen whether we’re happy or not so we might as well live it doing the things we enjoy.

Khürt Williams Says:

August 10th, 2008, 8:01 am

I read Leo’s post and I saw his intention but I started feeling wrong. I know what I would love to do, and I know how to do it, but I stopped doing it because it was no longer profitable ( income dropped 40% ).

Then I read Eric Brown’s comments and I found that that resonated with me more. I found something else I love to do and struggled to learn and develop expertise in that area.

When I was down in the dumps unhappy about my work I found that it how I was being about the work that made me unhappy. I was being inauthentic in my what I was thinking the challenge meant about me. I was not good enough or I was not “doing the right things”. In the moment I give that up I am back to loving my work.

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

August 10th, 2008, 10:41 am

Eric Brown wrote:
“Perfection is a myth - a distraction even - look for it past a certain point and you will wander forever.”
This is very true. But I don’t think most of us are pursuing perfection as much as just consistent improvement in our life. I believe that if we are talking about a spouse than we are speaking on different terms. That’s a commitment and a vow that you made and you should do whatever it takes to help make it work. But our work is completely different. I am not so much committed to a job as much as I am committed to providing myself and my family with a healthy financial foundation as well as lifestyle. And part of that lifestyle involves working on things that I am interested in, care about and make me feel good at the end of the day (at least most of the time). If a marriage isn’t working then you need to work on IT. But if a career path isn’t working you need to work on finding a new career. That’s just my opinion.

no-one Says:

August 10th, 2008, 11:52 am

Well, I agree that you have to take risks in order to realise your dream. Nonetheless you can’t deny that many people fail, though. I think it is still a lottery. If you want to realise your dream, chances are that your odds are higher than winning a lottery jackpot. It’s though impossible sometimes.

Let’s say somebody is a really passionate guitar player.
This guy maybe wants to become a well known artist who makes a living just from playing guitar. How likely is it to be successful in the music industry ?

Debbi Says:

August 10th, 2008, 13:13 pm

@ no-one Applying a little common sense never hurts. You should think about your dreams in terms of many factors–skills, opportunities, contacts, etc. Maybe even have a back-up plan in case the worst does happen. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on a dream without even trying.

I think Hans Solo said it best in Star Wars: “Never tell me the odds.”

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

August 10th, 2008, 13:54 pm

Using the example that no-one gave of the guitar player who “wants to become a well known artist who makes a living just from playing guitar. How likely is it to be successful in the music industry ?”
I would say that this is where your determination comes in. Sure, most people in this situation would try real hard at first and then when the reality that they couldn’t become a rock start sets in they would give up and say, “I guess it will just stay a dream.” But the determined, creative person will try to look at different avenues that may eventually result in the same or similar result. This is where some people start working in other areas of music and learn the business. Eventually, they may either come upon an opportunity to be a star or they may find that they enjoy other areas of the music industry even more.
My point is that it is certainly true that the mainstream “Dreams”, as shown by Hollywood, are often just unobtainable in reality. But pursuing your passions are not necessarily about ending up doing one specific thing. It’s a journey that, if you use your brain AS WELL AS your heart, can lead you to great places. And if things do crash and burn you will just know that much more on your next attempt.

Mary Kutheis (kooth-ice) Says:

August 10th, 2008, 14:40 pm

I left corporate America almost 9 years ago to pursue my own business. I’m fortunate to have a husband who supported the plan…and was willing to bear the financial brunt, too.

My experience has been that one has to be willing to try different things, and along the way be OK with the realization that not every path is the right one. Even the “mistakes” during the process have shed light on what I want to be when I grow up (I’m 47 and a mom, so clearly those are not indicators of being grown up.)

Sometimes it’s hard to stay true to your goal of doing what you love when doing so means income is scarce.

But in all, it’s been a life-altering experience and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Her Ticking CLock Says:

August 10th, 2008, 15:08 pm

My environment teaches me the ideal person I should be. The ideal person is the person I want to become. The more I become the ideal person, the more I feel like I am myself. The more I am myself, the more real I feel. The more real I am, the happier I feel.

We all have an image of what we would like to be. We rarely become that person because end up doing what we are good at because being valuable makes us feel good. But we rarely do what we are good at. Many of us do nothing at all.

lifestumbler Says:

August 10th, 2008, 15:15 pm

It’s good to see that in a world where the main motivation behind everything seems to be money, there’s still place for the idea that work should be something we enjoy.

Myrko Says:

August 10th, 2008, 16:21 pm

Some words about working for money. I think it is iprotant to understand where money comes from. It comes from creating value for others who then are willing to give you money in exchange for value.
I believe the best way to produce value is if we can put all of us willingly into it. In other words, if we love what we do and are willing to go the extra mile with a satified smile on our face.

skeptic Says:

August 10th, 2008, 17:05 pm

Great post. But you need a disclaimer that you don’t endorse anything in the comments. The first poster’s link is selling snake oil, with some misleading “scientific evidence”.

Funny enough I love to correct this type of nonsense. Perhaps I could start a website refuting these types of sites….

quench Says:

August 10th, 2008, 17:35 pm

I’m with Eric Brown, and a few others in this discussion so far. While I totally agree that one should expand one’s sense of what’s possible (and it’s always larger than you think), and that there is HUGE value in enjoying what you do, I think that it’s often good to embrace what one has. Not always, but more often than all these self-help “find your passion” books would suggest.

I just know too many mid-career friends who are still struggling to “find what they love”, and to figure out what they want to do when they grow up. They seem constantly dissatisfied, beaten down, and not genuinely positive about their options. (Especially because their ideal of “passion” often means “not working hard at anything”.) Sigh. Too many people have been brought up with parents who “just want them to be happy”, rather than teach them the life skills to find real happiness. I know, because I’ve had to learn the hard way that happiness is not an end-goal itself; it comes from doing other things.

Leo, it seems to me that what I’m trying to say here is completely in line with your own thoughts about finances and budgets: learn to need fewer material things, and it will be easier to support yourself, and easier to live with joy. I’m just applying that same principle to my work, as well….

Steve Martile Says:

August 10th, 2008, 18:50 pm

Hi Leo,

I think you’ll be closer to doing the work you love when you find those unique gifts inside. You’ve got the gift within you. Just take a look inside and you’ll find it.

You can learn more in my Free Ebook: The Genius Within YOU
http://www.freedomeducation.ca/2008/07/31/free-ebook-the-genius-within-you/

Mark Says:

August 10th, 2008, 18:55 pm

Great advice! True, we must know and pursue our purpose, for this is true living, for it is being true to our spirit.

Summy Says:

August 10th, 2008, 21:54 pm

I just quoted the same Steve Job’s speech in my post The Last Legacy: How To Live Forever

My conclusion: live live to it’s fullest.

Brett Says:

August 11th, 2008, 4:53 am

I’ve gotta agree with number 4 - sometimes things are just too hard to enjoy when you start. When you get a little better at them, you start to see what really works, what doesn’t work, you start to enjoy the flow… you start to groove!

IT SECTOR Says:

August 11th, 2008, 4:56 am

Searching for of the work particularly important step of any person.

Hannelie Coetzee Says:

August 11th, 2008, 6:35 am

Here is a suggestion. If you are trapped in a job you hate and have to put food on the table why not study further, build connections, figure out what you want to do in the meantime. I think it comes down to being proactive.

Anni Says:

August 11th, 2008, 7:31 am

Creating a meaningful livelihood is paramount to long term growth as a human being and happiness. Thank you for the words of wisdom.

Decla Says:

August 11th, 2008, 11:09 am

I really love this article but I think it is also important when looking at career change to think of how we want to work, with whom and in what context.

So many people know what they love doing but fewer understand the other elements of their working life. Someone can have lots of interests and could work happily in any of these fields. The choices of what jobs to go for may lie in management structures, ethics and culture of the organisation and working environment.

I’d also add that contacting people doing your dream job is a good idea. They are usually receptive if you say you’ll buy them a coffee and ask a few questions. I’ve learned a lot from such speculative contact, including that jobs I had dreamed about were actually not my thing.

I would argue against asking family and friends for ideas as suggested in the first comment. They are most likely to confirm your skill at what you’re doing now. Similarly with career assessment tests; you may end up being told to stay an accountant because that’s what you’re great at. You should do tests that reveal your values, desires, and motivations as well as skills.

HmS Says:

August 11th, 2008, 19:07 pm

Thank you very much for this article. Can you write a bit more on this subject? This is EXACTLY what I’m going through. It gets me depressed when I don’t have a clear purpose & love for what I’m doing. I THINK I know what I want & this article has some simple suggestions to get me started. But it needs more. Can you expand or add on to these points? Perhaps stories of others who have gone on this journey late in life & strategies that helped them find & pursue their passion.

I’m 30, have a wife & 2 year old son. I’m currently a web & print designer. I thought this was my dream profession. I still love it, but feel less interest & passionate about it. I don’t see myself doing it for years to come. I want to direct or have a part in making movies.

I know what follows all sound like excuses, but they’re real & legit concerns.

- What if what I ‘really’ want to do ends in the same way (loss of interest & passion after a few years)?
- At this age, I feel scared at making a career jump. If I was single, I’d be far less afraid because I’d only be risking me. I’m financially & otherwise responsible for my family. We’re planning to have another child in about a year’s time. My wife has chosen to spend the early years of our son’s (& future child’s) life at home. I support her. So we’re a one income family. This adds extra pressure on me.
- What I think about most is that this industry (film-making/hollywood) is sooo saturated with people wanting to be this or that. How will someone STARTING at the age of 30 compete with those who’ve been doing this most of their life - and are far better? Out of a few thousand wanna-be’s, only a few make it.
- Do I have the personality to make this happen? I’m not the most outgoing person. This industry weighs heavily on who you know.

Thnx for letting me write out my thoughts. Feels great just letting it out. My wife is supportive but most friends don’t know how to respond when I share what I want to do, so I keep these thoughts to myself.

Thnx for the release.

just a mistake Says:

August 13th, 2008, 14:48 pm

great post, (there´s a mistake in the middle of the text, )
“but often they don’t ***thing*** it’s realistic.”

you can delete this comment, then.
bye =]

tigerbee Says:

August 13th, 2008, 16:16 pm

Thanks for this post, if anything it reminds me that somewhere I got way off track in wanting to be an “artist” and somehow wound up in the basement of a museum tagging products I despise. Close to the art but way off mark. Pursuing your dream is probably one of the hardest things one can do in life, it should be- it is going to be the most rewarding thing you do your whole life. And if the “journey is the destination” shouldn’t we have our sights set on personal happiness in our lives? I read your blog daily but I never post comments. Thank you is what i really wanted to say.

anup Says:

August 31st, 2008, 0:34 am

Well said…. indeed if we look our life is like a ‘musk deer’, who runs to all possible corners in quest of musk…only to discover that the ‘musk’ lies within! So is true about passion, it lies within you..keep looking!

Santosh Puthran Says:

September 21st, 2008, 10:20 am

I love the message in the blogspot. It is passion what you seek for that matters.

Cheers,

Santosh Puthran

Cindy Says:

October 1st, 2008, 4:11 am

Most people dont have trouble finding something they love. I believe its more that what they love does not pay enough to maintain their lifestyle.