Introducing The Career Lover Series
December 16, 2007
(Photo by icadrew)
It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We need to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life - daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual.
- Viktor Frankl, Holocaust Survivor and psychiatrist.
In the Money Mindset Series, I have brought up the issue of doing meaningful work and how good money management actually facilitates a freedom of choice to pursue careers that we are passionate about.
That same discussion gave me the idea to start a new series - a series about how to pursue our dream career in the modern, practical world.
This blogging journey has helped me to discover meaning in my work and a passion for expressing my thoughts through writing. I hope to share my new insights into the benefits of doing what you love, and how you too, can do the same thing…
PASSION FOR WORK - WHAT IS IT REALLY ABOUT?
Before we go any further, let’s us examine why we should even love our work.
Just what’s the big deal about passion for work that it demands so much attention? Why are there so many gurus and business leaders out there harping about having passion in your work?
According to them, below are some reasons why you should pay attention:
- Life is more enjoyable because your work is enjoyable.
- You are being exceptional in performance because you love what you do.
- Increasing your job security and income.
All the above are benefits of loving your work, but in my opinion, they are really side-effects only. Passion for work has far greater implications to your life:
- On a personal level, it’s about being successful in a meaningful way. It’s about finding the meaning of your life. On this point, I like to quote Viktor Frankl again:
We need to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life…
While many of us ask the meaning of life, it is actually the wrong question to ask. There is no need to ask for your life’s meaning because it is right there waiting for you to define through your daily work. In defining this meaning, you’ll naturally find joy and passion.
- On a macro level, it’s about how individual’s work actually compliments one another to create value and contribute back to your organization. In the process of this contribution, the individuals themselves gets more in return. It is truly a win-win example where giving is receiving.
WHY IT’S SO DAMN HARD TO DO WORK THAT YOU LOVE?
Despite the benefits of loving your work, many people still find it hard to embrace this concept. Why?
I have read about many successful individuals who have attributed passion and talents as critical factors of their success. These successful professionals advise us to contribute our talents in a cause that we are passionate about. In so doing, we will be as successful as they are. I believe these gurus really meant well in their advices. I also believe that these are valid factors that led to their successes.
However, people cannot act on these advices simply because it lacks practicality. Most people have more immediate concerns about their livelihoods, job security and having bills to pay. The idealistic pursue of happiness by chasing your passion is a very big career transition to make. This is a risk which most of us are not willing to take, especially if you are currently enjoying a stable job.
As such, I feel that there is one critical consideration missing - for obvious reason, I call this dimension Practicality.
THE CAREER LOVER
When three dimensions of Passion, Talents and Practicality overlap, it is possible to have a person who really loves his work - I call this person a Career Lover.
In short, a Career Lover is someone who loves his work, simply because he/she is operating in a conducive environment that leverages his talents towards meaningful work in a practical way.
- Passion - A Career Lover loves his work because he is able to contribute to something which is meaningful and purposeful. At the same time, the work is aligned with his personal values.
- Talents - he find the work meaningful because he is able to contribute his strengths, experiences, knowledge and skills. By leveraging his talents, he feels like a contributor who has made a difference. This helps to build his sense of self-worth and justifies his existence. Essentially, this contribution becomes part of his meaning of life.
- Practicality - while contributing his talents towards meaningful work, a Career Love must receive income and job security which commensurate his contributions. To make this endeavor sustainable, he should not have to worry about his basic livelihood while in pursue of his passion. At the same time, acknowledgments for his contributions helps to reinforce the meaning of his work.
WORK PASSION SERIES
The rest of the Career Lover Series will elaborate on this concept. At the same time, I hope to share of my insights into some readers’ questions:
- I have a stable job. Why should I become a Career Lover?
- My job sucks. How do I love my job?
- I don’t understand this thing call value. What is it and how do you create it?
- If I only do the things that I love, who’s going to do the rest of my job?
To this end, the Work Passion Series will come in 5 parts as follow:
- Part I -Why the traditional definition of success is outdated and detrimental to living a balanced life? What is the new definition of success?
- Part II - Why it’s dangerous not to do what you love?
- Part III - How to discover your passion? Why there’s no such thing as a dream career?
- Part IV - How to pursue your passion and still bring bread to the table?
- Part V - How to increase your income while pursuing your passion?
CLOSING REMARKS
Your work is going to take up a large part of your adult life. It’s really a pity if you don’t find your work fulfilling as you would have wasted a large part of your life to settle for job security.
It is my hope that this series can provide you some insights to become a Career Lover. So stay tuned and look out for it.
Ooooh, I look forward to this. I’m definitely in that sweet “Career Lover” spot. I’m madly, passionately in love with my work and my business, and it’s actually working in a very practical way, too. I know it’s a possibility for everyone to love their work! However, I’m very, very aware of how unusual it is. Monday mornings are funny in my home - my husband dreads dragging himself into his work week, and I’m bouncing up and down because I get to do what I love!
Looking forward to reading these articles!
Blessings,
Andrea
You know what Andrea?
Somehow, your name popped into my mind when I was writing about Career Lover.
From your blog and posts, I knew that you are certainly a Career Lover and you will reply as such. Seems like I’m dead-on in this case
I think you’ve bring up a good point about Monday Blues. Before, I used to feel it every Sunday evening. Nowadays, I’m glad to say that there’s no more Monday Blues, and just like you, I’m actually looking forward to go to work.
Well, actually there’s a slight difference - I’m not bouncing up and down, like you….
Lawrence, your intuition is working!!! Watch out, soon you’ll be over in my little “funky-woo-woo” world … hee hee.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Seriously, I’m thrilled that my love for my work comes through. It truly is a passion and I consider myself thoroughly blessed. AND I’m looking forward to your article on taking our passion and giving it practical application.
I’m forever giving my friends entrepreneurial ideas on how they could turn their interests into actual fulfilling careers. I’m always stunned with how many of them say “Well, that sounds good, BUT …” And we’re talking low-risk, start-small, low-overhead ideas that are very practical.
I think some people consider turning their passion into a business is risky - because what if it destroys the passion, or what if it doesn’t work out … etc. I really look forward to your take on this issue.
Blessings,
Andrea
Haha Andrea!
Indeed, maybe my intuition is sharpening because I have been exposed to your “spiritual ramblings”, and I’m being sucked into your little “funky-woo-woo” world.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist too
BTW, thanks for those wonderful ideas and questions. I think they are very valid points. I don’t know if I can cover all of them within the Career Lover Series, but I will definitely follow up on them as a post.
Aha! Another great series in the making, Lawrence.
In my case, I presently have the passion and talents departments covered. I’m still *cough* working on the practicality of it all.
I my mind’s eye, this diagram has a bit of a 3-dimensional extension. If all these three circles vere actually intersecting spheres, then to achieve the balanced inverted pyramid shape of a fullfilled life, you would need another sphere that intersects with all these three and sits right in the centre below them, supporting their weight in perfect balance. That sphere I would call courage, a trait many of us lack in spades, and one that informs every decision and choice we make in every one of these other departments.
Looking forward to the series.
Hi Samir,
I think the idea about courage is really great!
Like what Andrea said, she has many friends who just lack the courage to take that step. Likewise, I have advice many to pursue a job they love, and they agree on the benefits, but just lack the will to do it.
That’s why I added the practicality dimension. Because people will only really take that step to pursue a job they love when it’s practical enough. Of course, having the courage and will to step out of one’s comfort zone are important factors too!
Thanks for adding to this Samir. Appreciate it a lot.
Hey Lawrence,
I am one as well that LOVES what I do! Like Samir I am working on the practicality of it. But I KNOW I will make it work because I love it so much and I have the luxury of a bit more time to prove it works. When my daughter starts school NEXT fall I want to have a steady income coming in. I am confident with things moving the way they are I will be able to do that. I’ve found it’s thinking a bit outside the box that helps …. My husband loved real estate but when the market fizzled he was able to learn PHP in a week (his long time career was programmer) and he started his own subscribed based real estate web site. It might not be EXACTLY as you picture (I am still looking into multiple streams of income online) but as long as it is doing WHAT you love the “how to” part of it and the inspiration should unfold itself. Thanks — I look forward to this series… I’ve enjoyed stumbling upon you once again! Gratefully, Jenny
Welcome back Jennifer,
“as long as it is doing WHAT you love the “how to” part of it and the inspiration should unfold itself”
I think you’re one of those few who really understands that once you do what you love, the rest of the stuff will just fall in place, over time. Of course, this does sound like we’re overly simplifying things… but it’s true.
As long as you love the work and consistently take small incremental actions, doors of opportunity will open over time and it’s like building blocks, you just slowly build it up, higher and higher, right?
Very true Jennifer!
i have just started doing job .
guess this article will help in latr stages of life
Hi IDriveSlow,
Welcome to “A Long Long Road”
Seems like you’re in a position to apply some of these tips
Since you are just starting out, you may have less financial liabilities and more freedom to choose, so choose wisely.
So have you found your job already? Or are you still searching?
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