It’s time to return to the Career Lover series. Before we go further into The Career Lover Series to discuss about value creation and the practicality aspects of being a Career Lover, there is one point I like to discuss - why it’s dangerous not to do what you love.
Fact is, you may already know that it is best to do what you love. There are already many books and seminars with gurus professing that they achieve great success because they love what they do. If this is the case, why is it that the majority of us are still not doing what we love?
The reason is simple - it’s procrastination .
It’s no surprise. There are many things that we know we should do, but yet we still don’t do them:
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We should exercise more.
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We should give up smoking.
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We should spend more time with our family.
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We should do what we love.
There is a reason for our procrastinations. It is simply a lack of urgency to move out of one’s comfort zone - there isn’t a pain or pleasure strong enough to justify immediate actions.
Likewise it’s the same with doing what we love. Many of us know we should do it and the benefits it’ll bring. Yet many of us are procrastinating. One reason I mentioned in the introduction to this series is because people lack a practical means of translating their passion into a means of livelihood. This is an area which I hope to address in Part IV and Part V of this series.
For now, I like to address 3 common excuses people adopt to postpone doing what they love. I call them killer procrastinations. These are dangerous misconceptions that may cost you much in the long run. In addressing these 3 killer procrastinations, I hope to provide a stronger impetus for you to take actions to purse what you love.
KILLER PROCASTINATION 1 - I WILL BE HAPPY WHEN I’M AT THE TOP OF MY CAREER
This is my favorite and I’ll talk about it first.
When I was young, I aspired to climb the corporate ladder and be somebody, someday. I thought that if I am at the top of my career, I will enjoy many benefits unavailable to others. I thought:
- Others will have to listen to what I say, and I will have more freedom and choices to do what I wish.
- I will have more time to do what I want to do as there are others working for me.
My experiences over the years have shown me otherwise.
I was an Officer in the Army for 7 years and I worked for many high ranking Officers and Generals. On the surface, it seems that high-ranking Officers hold many privileges and respect from people under them. However, unknown to many, they hold great and heavy responsibilities.
I hope the following points put things into perspective:
- When a soldier makes a wrong decision - at most, he’ll put his own life and maybe his buddy’s life at risk.
- When a General makes a wrong decision - he’ll put thousands of soldiers’ lives at risk.
WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES - AND LESS FREEDOM
It is true - with great power does come great responsibilities. And with great responsibilities comes less freedom to do as you wish. Why? Because the welfare and benefits of the organization has to come before your own. The decisions that top leaders make have to take many factors into considerations; sometimes these considerations have to be placed before their own wishes or desires, just so that the benefits of the organization can be achieved.
The reality: the more responsibilities you have, the less personal freedom you’ll enjoy.
When I left the Army and joined the corporate world, I see the same responsibilities issue with management. The higher you climb on the corporate ladder, the more responsibilities you will hold. People in your organization will depend on your leadership and abilities to produce results and sustain the business so that they can continue to have a job. If someone in such a leadership position does not make such a tradeoff, he/she can’t hold that position for long. Just look at the various CEO changes in recent news and you’ll know what I mean.
This means that you have to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of the organization that you lead.
Does it ever occur to you that people who reach the top really do love their job? Why? Because if they don’t, they won’t be able to live with such heavy responsibilities, lost of freedom and having to make so many personal sacrifices. It’s only because they love what they do, that these sacrifices seem inconsequential and bearable.
If you don’t love what you’re doing in the first place, you will NEVER be able to reach the top of your field.
KILLER PROCASTINATION 2 - I WILL DO WHAT I LOVE WHEN I ACHIEVE MY CAREER/FINANCIAL GOALS
Another favorite procrastination is to do what you love someday, when life is more settled.
Human are by nature optimistic creatures. We like to believe that we have a longevity of at least 60 to 70 years. So if you’re in your twenties, thirties or even forties, you’ll think that your road ahead is still long. As such, you may think that you can afford to wait. Other goals can come first and you’ll pursue your passion later.
Do you read the obituary? I do, quite often, in fact.
Each time I read the obituaries, I will look out for faces of young people. People whom I think are summoned way before their time is due. It’s a stark reminder that life can be unpredictable and for me to appreciate life. My experiences tell me that people do die in their prime:
- My father died in his thirties.
- My friend’s sister died before twenty due to cancer.
- Another friend collapsed from a run and never woke from it - he was twenty seven.
I often hear people say that they’ll pursue their dream someday. It’s a dangerous risk, because sometimes, someday never come.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE ONLY 3 MONTHS LEFT TO LIVE?
What if the doctor tells you tomorrow that you have contracted terminal cancer and has only 3 months left to live? Would you have any regrets that you wish you had pursued, but didn’t?
Has it ever occur to you that your life may be much shorter than you expect it to be? The average chance of getting cancer is 1 in 5 people. I’m not cursing anyone, but I’m just saying maybe. It’s certain some of us are going to die younger than expected. It may be you, it may be not.
But I think the more important question is - are you going to take that chance?
- Do you want to regret not having lived a meaningful life because you were busy pursuing something less important?
- Do you want to lie on your death bed thinking “if only I had…”?
If there is indeed life after death - imagine seeing yourself at your funeral, what would you want to hear from your family, friends and people that you’ve touched through your work? Then do a reality check; are you doing those things to earn those recognitions today? If not, when are you going to start? Don’t wait too long for “someday”… remember, “someday” may never come.
KILLER PROCASTINATION 3 - I DON’T SEE ANY SENSE IN RISKING MY STABLE JOB TO PURSUE WHAT I LOVE
If you are earning good and stable income, but you don’t enjoy your work, then does it make sense to risk a stable job to pursue what you love?
This is one of the toughest procrastination because a stable job creates a comfort zone that is very difficult to move out of. It seems that there is more to lose by taking a risk to pursue your passion than to stay. To a certain extend, this argument has its validity; especially back in the industrial age, when having a stable income is already considered a blessing.
However, the world in the 21st century has changed. Globalization has moved competition to a much higher level. The standards are very different today:
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Global Competition And Employment - Employees today are no longer just competing with their peers. You may be competing with someone from the other end of the world; someone in a developing country who’s willing to work twice as hard and receive only half as little. How do you “outwork” someone like that?
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Ease of Information Access - It also used to be that if an employee stayed longer with the company, then he/she will naturally be more experienced and more highly paid. However, the Internet has brought down the information barriers and steepen the learning curves of the younger generation. What this means is that older employees have an impetus to keep themselves updated and consistently upgrade themselves in knowledge related to their work. Otherwise, they will easily be replaced by younger workers with lower salaries but delivering just as much results.
All these implications mean only one thing - life-long and continuous learning and innovation.
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This means you must be willing to pursue knowledge and skills outside of your 9 to 5 working hours.
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You must be wiling to take personal interest in your own career development.
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Your work interest and your personal interest must have areas of overlap, there must be alignment of interest between your work and your personal life.
These are possible only if you have passion for what you do; otherwise life is going to be drag.
Job security and a stable income based on just “doing your job” is a dying trend. To hang on to your job for the sake of stability is like treading on thin ice. In my opinion, remaining at status quo has far higher risk than pursuing your passion.
DON’T WAIT TILL IT’S TOO LATE
It is clear that there is more to lose by procrastinating than to take the leap of faith to pursue your passion. I hope these additional takeaways will give you new insights and considerations in what many people assume to be the safest path; it’s not.
With some much uncertainty and dynamic changes, procrastinating and remaining status quo is a surefire way to lose. Ironically, it’s the option with the highest risk. Don’t wait too long to make your move - don’t wait till it’s too late.
In the next part of the Career Lover Series, I will be talking about tips on how to discover your passion. So stay tuned for it.
(Photo by flattop341)
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Lawrence, I often come across Killer Procrastination #2 in my work with clients. “How can I achieve my financial goals so that I can then do my dream?” Of course, NOT doing the dream is what is keeping them from financial abundance, as you point out in Procrastination #1. Without love, I don’t think success can be attained.
I do think job security or income stability is an illusion. It is so easy to get pushed out of a job, to get laid off, to be passed over for promotion. As a happily self-employed entrepreneur, I can say one thing for sure - I am NOT going to fire myself, or get laid off! And I reap the rewards of all my hard work, rather than making my boss look good.
Great series so far!
Blessings,
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
I’m sure you meet a lot of such interactions in your work. I’m just curious… how do you handle such cases then? What is your advice to them?
Hi Lawrence,
There’s usually an underlying issue to be resolved … a need for security, for example (beyond the norm, that is), a sense of being undeserving, feelings of responsibility or obligation that are not rooted in reality … there are so many mechanisms by which we end up in a job or career that is unfulfilling. So basically, we address the underlying root issue and clear it, so that we open the door of opportunity to real change.
One way to look at it (I’m trying to stay out of the funky-woo-woo for you!) is - the client is gaining something from their situation. Even if they are totally miserable, they’re getting something out of their dead-end, unfulfilling career. We don’t do anything that doesn’t, in some way, serve us. Some people are highly invested in being miserable. Some like the sense of importance that comes with saying “but I have so many responsibilities, I can’t just do what I want.” This may be happening at the subconscious level … but let’s not kid ourselves! We’re getting something out of the situation, or we wouldn’t be there to begin with. So if we can discover what that “something” is, then we can address that need in a more productive way.
Thanks for the great discussion!
Blessings,
Andrea
Thanks Andrea!
Firstly, appreciate that you’re staying out of the funky-woo-woo
But hey, that’s nice and it’s you, right? So just be yourself. I appreciate your different approach.
Next, I agree with your points. Whenever I advice pursuing a job that you love, I face frequent objections from people. There are a thousand and one reasons, but there are similar underlying issues, which can be narrowed down to - insecurity, fear.
And you are so right about some people being highly invested in being miserable, mostly at a subconscious level. Why? because they’re hanging on to whatever little they’re getting out of the miserable situation, and are afraid of losing that as well.
I have an ex-colleague who’s being abuse at work. She’s a little on the bigger side and her boss calls her ‘miss piggy’. She feels terrible about it, but she just doesn’t have the courage to step out of that job. Sometimes, I see her sobbing quietly in a corner, and she’s been there for 4 years already!
Why? She cannot see what other jobs she can get with her qualifications. So she’s hanging on to this job despite this mental abuse.
I’m not saying that I don’t face such fears. I do as well. Perhaps, I’m just more foolish to take the plunge despite the apparent risks.
thanks Andrea, you have given me a lot of food for thoughts.
I agree, it is a dangerous path to walk. Actually, I’m not only trying to get rid of this danger but I’m also reading a book on Zen and learning about loving what you do. Very interesting to put the two together.
Hi LDG,
Zen and loving what you do… very interesting mix. Is it good? Can you recommend the book title please?
I have been caught in Killer Procrastination #3 for a long time. Living in an expensive area and having a well-paying career, I couldn’t see how I could make the jump to something I truly loved. I though I would get my break when we planned a move to another part of the country. We would make enough off the sale of our home, that I wouldn’t need an income for a year. That would give me time to start doing what I love.
Well, the move fell through…but I decided I would make the career change anyway, WITHOUT leaving the job. I am growing a business from my home and continuing my employment. I have the best of both worlds, for now. Eventually I will leave the “steady” paycheck behind, but I will be ready and my business will be stable. But for now, I am a jobrepreneur.
You don’t have to give up your dreams because of income fears. But you may have to sacrifice some t.v. time and make things happen away from the 9-5 job.
Great article.
Hi Coryan,
You’ve a good example showing how to cross over from a current job to doing something that you love. Your method reduces the risk of transiting from an existing job to a career that you love. Good for you!
Indeed, you have rightly pointed out that we have to make some personal sacrifice to take this move; the reduced risk comes at a price. That is something that I’m going through now as I have to sacrifice some t.v. time to maintain this blog, on top of my day job. I fully understand what you’re talking about.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m a big fan of the gradual transition, too, having been there a few times now. I have to say, though, that there comes a point where we do have to take a leap of faith and let go of the job that no longer serves us. We can straddle the fence for a very, very long time and get stuck with one foot in each career.
There is a tremendous energy that comes with total commitment and the act of deciding to focus on doing what we love. That’s always the scary part - the point where we take the leap of faith, let go of that day job, and jump in with both feet. BUT that’s when things in our business really start to happen. I remember letting go of my last steady singing gig when I was transitioning into massage therapy. I was terrified! As it turns out, the “steady” income was replaced by a lot more money from my clients, and I was able to take another day off.
Similarly, when I was starting to do readings I still had a couple of voice students. I was so afraid to let them go - and as soon as I did, my intuitive consulting business just took off!
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s prudent to transition into a new business while maintaining a day job. At the same time, we can get stuck in transitioning … so don’t stay there too long!
Blessings,
Andrea
Wow Andrea, another great point!
You know what? I am exactly at that stage now. Recently, I’m seriously considering if I should commit more time to this blog and go part-time on my existing day job.
The blog is growing to a point where I know it needs more commitment from me to take it to the next level. But like everyone else, there is fear of reduced income and insecurity etc… So see? I’m just normal like everyone else.
4 years ago, I took a similar plunge when I leave the Army and entered the private sector. I didn’t plan for a transition then and it was a painful move (both financially and emotionally). After 4 years, I have stabilized, but I am glad that I have the foolishness to take such a plunge.
Don’t worry, I won’t stay in the transitioning stage for too long
impressive post. I have my own slogan like this “i live in a life I love”
Thanks for sharing, International Scholarships.
Some solid advice and good points! Also interesting dialogue in the comments.
If someone is looking for a related book, one of the best books on procrastination I have read is Neil Fiore’s “Now Habit” - there are a couple of posts about it on my blog.
Hi Benjamin,
Thanks for the recommendation. I have heard about this book a couple of times already. Seems like I must really pick this up soon.
Hey Lawrence - nice post - one thing to add for #3 “KILLER PROCASTINATION 3 - I DON’T SEE ANY SENSE IN RISKING MY STABLE JOB TO PURSUE WHAT I LOVE” - I think it is miswritten a lot of times. For me, I see the need to work on what I love; but what I love doesn’t pay what I NEED. Specifically to support my family. I really love sports and art. But I’ve lost my touch at football, and I’m far too short for basketball.
If I choose the latter, then I need to buy art supplies with the money I don’t have because I quit my day job that paid well. You’ve heard the expression “starving artist” and there is a reason for that. 
Feeding and clothing my family is first on my list - I find the best way to keep it alive is to do it on the side still, but keep the $$$ from the dayjob to fund it.
Great post - hank
Hi Hank,
Practicality is definitely an issue a Career Lover has to deal with. Well, you can’t love that job for very long if it’s not feeding your family, right?
My concept of a Career Lover is one who merges 3 dimensions of Passion, Talents, and Practicality.
Practicality includes $$$. One of way is definitely to do it on the side while keeping the day job, and I’ll talk about it in the next article on Monday - look out for that.
Thanks for sharing this good point.
Yup, thanks for sharing
Smart Systems for Health Agency by the Tories. eHealth from the Liberals. The rest of the world is moving aggressively towards this - UK is literally a decade or more ahead of us. They are now saving lives and money. So what do we, in one of the hot beds of medicine, have to show for it? Nothing.
I am obsessive over Twilight. I love reading modern day romantic novels, nothing too cheesy, of course. I was wondering if people had any suggestion for romantic books that you liked as much as the Twilight series.
Procrastination is a dangerous thing. It hinders us from accomplishing the things we need to do and get to where we must be. Unfortunately, I myself fall into this habit often. As Lawrence mentioned above, there are plenty of procrastinations that get in the way of pursuing our dream careers. We either take the time and opportunity for granted or become comfortable and afraid to live our current, stable jobs. It’s a very hard first step to take, but when we feel the urge and feel that we’re ready, we should take the leap towards that dream career. These procrastinations can be overcome with courage and effort that we know we have. We just have to make the choice and look within for inspiration.
P.S. Check out www.makemorelivemoregivemore.com, and see www.scienceofcreatingyourdreams.com/index2.htm to know how you could build the life of your dreams.