Too many of us have been brought up to believe that work is not meant to be enjoyed, let alone loved. Work is meant to give us a paycheck, not excite, energize or fulfill us.
But the opposite it true, Not only can we earn a living doing what we love; we owe it to ourselves to pursue that end. When we find ourselves in jobs/careers we dislike, that frustrates, saddens, or fatigues us, our mind, body and soul is telling us that we are not in the right place.
When we are doing what we love, by contrast we feel radiate, joy and passion, improving not only our own lives but also our environment. “”
Find out what you love: Do you believe that you can make a living doing what you love? If you could believe this, make a list of jobs/careers you have enjoyed and the ones you have not. Try to find the distinguishing feature within each category. When you have discovered what jobs made you happy and why, fashion the perfect job/career for yourself, using all the positive elements you have listed. Now visualize yourself in this job/career, believe that you will have it, and ask for help from mentors and others. Know that your loving can be your living.
When you do what you love, You create the kind of environment in which abundance flourishes.
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
Lisa C.
22. Aug, 2009
Yessss!!!! So many people waste their lives in dead-end, soul-killing jobs that are not what I’d call careers. This is good advice for high school and college students. I hope they read this.
John B
22. Aug, 2009
Good stuff Lolly. Somewhere along the way we’ve allowed ourselves to buy into the programming our family, friends, and neighbors have, paying little heed to the voice that urges you to take control of your direction in life.
Earl
23. Aug, 2009
Well said. I have been intentionally shifting my work – what I do and how I do it, too – over the last three years. My current (two year) section ends in a few days, and I am excited about what’s next.
It is wonderful to live out what you’ve written in your last two paragraphs. Setbacks become affirmations, not defeats. All of my life, the majority of my limitations have been self-imposed. Now my opportunities are!
Monica Diaz de Peralta
24. Aug, 2009
I find this to be completely true in my case and many others I have known. I find my drive to work and live in the love for what I do and the impact I create in others. For me, there is no other way to work! Thanks for this post…it is true that we still need to ask ourselves the question as our love and passion shifts, grows, evolves! 😉
Bignick44
29. Aug, 2009
Could not agree more
Janine Finney
07. Aug, 2010
What I’m discovering is that doing what we love might requie some paradigm shifts in our way of thinking. Most people are trying to figure out how to make enough money, to fill their monetary needs, and if they can’t figure out how to do that, they either decide to accept a lower lifestyle, for the ability to do what they love, or they go back to what they were doing, believing it just isn’t possible for them. Money gives us choices, and the freedom to do what we love, so be open to ways to make money, that will allow you to do what you love! There are all kinds of possibilities when we are open to other options!