The idea that you can find a job doing work you love might sound like a pipe-dream to many of you who aren’t “there” yet and think you might never be. While I realize it might be difficult to achieve and sometimes stymied by seemingly insurmountable challenges, I believe it’s a goal worth pursuing.
If you’re currently feeling stuck in a miserable job situation or unsatisfying career rut, what have you got to lose by taking a different (fresh) look at the possibilities?
Tossing It All to Do Work You Love
A recent article by Anita Bruzzese, titled “On the Job: Live the dream and do what you love,” focuses on Tama Kieves, the author of a book called Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work! Kieves did basically toss it all to do work she loved, although it took her years in an uninspiring legal career before she made the leap.
According to Bruzzese’s article, Kieves said, “I think true passion is your greatest economic security….If you follow your genius and your talent, you’re most likely to create and get a job.” She also noted that you don’t necessarily have to quit your current job to make it happen. Sometimes you can move toward your goal incrementally, for example.
Tips for Finding the Work You Love
In the article, Kieves offered some suggestions for those of you who are puzzled about how you can tell when you’re making the right choice to pursue the work you love. In short, she said:
- Take your pulse. If you’re energized by the path you’re choosing…then you know you’re headed in the right direction.
- Don’t try to define it right away.
- The first step is to look for something you love, then let your instincts guide you. Don’t try to force a decision on what to do, but be willing to let it evolve.
- Stop planning. No one can plan an inspired life, and life will throw you plenty of curveballs along the way.
- Stop listening to doubters. Fear will sound like practicality….
I think her advice is reasonably sound; however, I do take exception to the point about not planning. I don’t see that it has to be an either-or proposition. Why can’t you have at least the framework of a plan, which can be adjusted periodically if things change?
In other words, does planning necessarily prevent you from keeping an open mind and adjusting to life’s curve-balls as you go? I don’t think so. I still strongly advocate creating and maintaining a career management plan that takes into account the things you love to do as much as possible without being 100% freewheeling and out of control. Maybe Kieves and I will have to agree to disagree on this point.
