I’m at a transitional point in my life. The point where the kids are all in school full-time, getting older, needing me less (in some ways). So I have been thinking a lot about what to do now career-wise. Ever since my youngest went to kindergarten (and my whole life started to fall apart- you can read about that trauma here) it has been spinning around my head. Maybe that’s made me think more about what makes me happy and more about how people feel about their jobs.
Someone was telling me about their new job recently and I asked, “Are you happy?” Not in a weird, invasive, overly personal way. Just in a, “Oh great, do you like it, are you happy?” kind of way. And they didn’t know how to answer.
I have asked a few people this question about their job or someone else’s jobs (are they happy?) and it’s usually the same response. A big pause. Followed by a shrug and a, “yeah,” or an, “I guess.”
When we were little did we dream about growing up to do something for a living that was just ok? Did we think then that we would settle for what made sense, what was practical, what was mildly interesting if not all that exciting, for a living? To spend more than 1/3 of our lives being “ok” with what we’re doing?
It seems rare to find someone who LOVES their job.
When did we stop asking ourselves what we really wanted? When did we give up on the idea of doing something that we really loved? Something that made us excited to go to work?
Why don’t we reach for a job that allows us more of what we want- whatever that is- and less of the stuff that really makes us crazy?
I think we (and by we I mean people somewhere in the neighborhood of 44- because I think it’s different for younger people) just end up in a job that makes sense. Something that’s probably familiar to us, something standard.
We choose it (or it chooses us) because of our college degree or connections or convenience or hours. And then life moves along and responsibilities keep us going. Other things might become our first priority. The time for dreaming of bigger things or wanting more seems to be behind us.
But I don’t think it has to be that way. I think a whole world of opportunities is out there. They’re not the opportunities we’re familiar with or comfortable with, but they’re out there. These opportunities might seem strange and impossible, but it’s just a matter of looking outside the proverbial box.
From my little corner of the blogging world, I have seen regular people turn their dreams into careers. Or turn their “ok” jobs into dream jobs with a little finagling.
So my hope is to find or create a career that makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning. The one that when people ask, “Do you like it?” I’ll say, “I love it!” and mean it.
If you could make a living doing something you love, what would it be? I’d love to hear from you!
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