You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘find something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’ It’s an age-old adage that seems to offer a magic formula for career satisfaction. But let me tell you, as charming as it sounds, it’s possibly the worst career advice anyone could ever give you.
The Reality of Pursuing Passion
Sure, doing what you love for a living sounds ideal. But even if you’re head-over-heels in love with your job, there will still be days when it feels like work.
Why? Because it is work.
Even the most passionate professionals have ‘those days.’ Days filled with challenging tasks, demanding clients, tight deadlines, or just moments when things don’t go as planned. No matter how much you love your job, these days will come along. And when they do, it’s going to feel like work, no doubt about it.
Embracing the ‘Suck’
Now, I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t pursue your passion. Quite the opposite. What I am suggesting is to embrace the ‘suck.’ To acknowledge that even the most fulfilling careers have their ups and downs. And that’s okay.
The true power lies not in avoiding these challenging days but in overcoming them. It’s about having the resilience to push through the tough times and come out stronger on the other side. It’s about understanding that these ‘crappy days’ are often the ones that shape us, make us grow, and ultimately lead us to our great days.
Rethinking Career Satisfaction
So, instead of buying into the ‘never work a day in your life’ mantra, believe in yourself. Believe in your ability to navigate through the rough seas to enjoy the calm after the storm.
Remember, it’s okay to have bad days, even in a job you love. It’s okay to ‘work’ at your passion. Because it’s only when you acknowledge and accept the tough days that you truly appreciate the great ones. And ultimately, isn’t that what career satisfaction is all about?
In conclusion, let’s redefine the saying: “Find something you love, and you’ll find the strength to work through the tough days, because the great days are worth it.” Embrace the suck, my friends, because those great days? They’re on the horizon, and they’re glorious.