Right now I’m blending work and pleasure by writing this article, and at the same time watching a movie that my wife wanted to watch called “Dorian Grey“.
The movie “Dorian Gray” is from Oscar Wilde’s only novel called “The Picture of Dorian Gray“.
I thought this quote from the book by Oscar Wilde was worth repeating:
“Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one’s mistakes”
While this is not the topic of my article, it was such a profound quote that I had to include it. This may be true within limits, but taken to extremes I would think not…
Okay, back to the topic of my article.
As we become better and better at our jobs and the tasks that we do, it becomes easier to multitask and blend both work and pleasure, enabling us to enjoy both. Some day, I would really like to have work that I enjoy so much that I can no longer tell the difference between work and entertainment.
Impossible? Not so, people like Warren Buffett and even the Financial Samurai say that they can’t wait to get up early so they can get to work in the morning.
So am I going on a wild goose chase? Does such a job nirvana really exist? I wonder if I’ll ever know before it’s time to retire…
-MR
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MR, it’s a good goal to strive for.
I think that most people don’t find “passion” at their work (except for 4hww self-styled authors). But what is possible, is finding satisfaction in a job well done, whether it’s driving fence posts or doing power point presentations.
That’s great advice! I have a series called “lemons to lemonade” where I do exactly that. Take something negative or unenjoyable and make it something better…
I never regretted my line of work. I do think I should’ve tried something else not because I don’t like what I do, but out of curiosity!
I’m gonna say job nirvana does exist!
My line of work isn’t bad, I just would like to find or make something that gets me as excited as Warren Buffett or the Financial Samurai.
I thought this link on the topic was an interesting one: “The passion trap how the search for your life work is making your working life miserable”
(Single Mom Rich Mom posted it on First Gen American’s site in the comments a while back. It was also in our link love this weekend.)
I don’t think I’m miserable, I would just like to improve on what I do so I look forward to work like Mr. Buffett.
You could look at it from the other direction… instead of trying to find a perfect job that doesn’t probably actually exist, you could work on getting yourself to enjoy more of what you’re doing. Focus on what makes you happy about your job, try to fix what doesn’t make you happy. Cognitively restructure how you perceive the world so that it seems to be a better place.
Or just go for financial independence so you don’t have to work at anything specific.
Great advice and good point. I’ve done such mind tricks to accomplish a lot in the past, and perhaps that’s what is needed done again.
So I choose to work on both becoming financially independent and turning my job into lemonade from lemons 🙂
Also, ironically, the best way to optimize your happiness is to learn how to satisfice. If you haven’t read the Paradox of Choice yet you really should. All this trying to optimize everything all the time could land you in the emergency room with a heart attack some day. Life isn’t a video game where you’re trying to get some elusive perfect score.
Hee Hee, I like the analogy of life to a video game.
I was thinking slow gradual improvments to create a more optimized life. Self improvment is a good thing 🙂
I definitely think it exists, but I don’t think it’s typically something that just falls in your lap. In other words, I think it takes work in most cases to work “against the grain” and find something that is an authentic fit for you. I’m a glass is half-full kind of guy though, which lends itself to these pursuits and perspective.
I think you are right! It makes sense that it’s not easy, elsewise nobody would be complaining about their jobs.
The whole concept of ‘dream jobs’ can be also depressing for some. It is a heck of a lot easier to do something you love when you aren’t constrained by bills and family responsibilities. However, if you are the primary breadwinner, it is a little harder to just wake up one day and say “I am going to devote myself to my dream job instead of the job I have been doing all these years and making a decent wage”.
My advice would be this: Sit and really, really think about what would make you fly out of bed in the morning. Does that something exist? If so, then slowly work toward whatever ‘it’ is. Maybe you decide you really want to teach kindergartners. Ok, then make a plan to get your teaching certificate. The key (in my mind), is find out what would really motivate you each day. Some people don’t even have that ‘something’ that would motivate them each day. Others have 100 things. Whatever it is, you probably can’t just dive in and do it, it would have to be a slow transition.
Good luck on your quest!
Sounds like great advice. Unfortunately, I’m one of those few that really have a hard time finding things that make me happy. I like investing, but I don’t know if that I would want to do it day in and day out.
I definitely like the idea of a slow transition, especially if one has a family.
That is part of the reason I do posts like these, to tell individuals without a family yet, to experiment and try what they love before they get too established.
As managers we focus a lot on what makes for a happy (ie productive) work environment and I’ve learned that it’s not about finding your “passion”. It’s about finding a job that allows for a certain amount of autonomy, that continuously challenges you at the right pace (so you don’t grow bored or overwhelmed), that recognizes your achievements, in an environment that you enjoy with people that like and respect you.
Before anyone makes the drastic jump to ditch the 9-5 to write the next American novel or to focus on selling their crocheted art work on Etsy I would recommend they try finding a new boss and a new work environment. It can make a world of difference.
Great approach! Like Everyday tip’s suggestion, ease on into your side business/hobby and see where it goes.
Kind of like blogging 😉
I go to school full-time and work full time. With that said, I look forward to the weekends when I can do what I call “work work” and not homework.
For me, that’s the best weekend imaginable. I know that probably isn’t a common viewpoint haha
From what I can tell JT McGee, you are doing all the right moves!
Last year I blogged about having a small business (like blogging) would be perfect for someone in college and it sounds as if you are the living example of what I was talking about! By the time you graduate, you could have a really decent paying job just with internet ventures alone. That’s awesome!
I’ve very very impressed with your choices!
I enjoy going to work. I get there a full 40 minutes before, so I can be ready when my students arrive. Crazy, huh? This is my 7th career and I can honestly say I love what I do. Of course, not 100% of the time, but close. Frankly, I do not understand how I put up with anything less.
That’s awesome that you found the perfect gig! I can see where teaching would be very rewarding. Many jobs don’t really have the impact as teaching does!
If you love what you do you are a very lucky person. Some people follow the trail of money instead of what they really love because sometimes what you really love doesn’t pay the bills so one cannot blame these people!
My line of work is definitely not what I am in love with and I look forward to changing careers altogether one of these days.
I’m close to being pretty happy with my job, I do like my industry… Perhaps I just need a change of scenary.
I do like blogging, it’s a good distraction and adds some diversity to my day job. Perhaps I’ll blend those two so I can find a happy medium.
I think it’s quite definitely an attainable goal. The only scary part about chasing that dream is that when you finally fully combine your work and please, sometimes there’s an initial drop in income. Eventually, if you work hard, stay organized, and keep motivated, that income will go back up, and possibly even increase. It’s just taking the leap that’s hard. 🙂
My neighbor did just that. He took a 20% hit in pay to take a job elsewhere doing a job that was similar but different enough to please him. Perhaps in 4 or 5 years I’ll be able to do the same.
I REALLY like my job. I think job nirvana is a function of finding what you think is important (challenge, autonomy) AND dollars you make working there.
Evan, it’s great to hear that! Since I kind of know your day job and some of your side jobs, I thought you might enjoy your working scenario!
There’s no doubt anyone can find the right job for them… the one that makes them feel they’re doing what they want, not what they need in order to make a living. I think our problem is usually fear: fear of leaving our income stream and facing uncertainty, fear of not finding that thing we are passionate about, fear of finding it but not being able to monetize it.
I think the first step is questioning if it is really out there (as you have already done). Now it’s a matter of time until you find the way to make it. Good luck!!!
Thanks 🙂
I’m still dabbling a little bit on what I would like to do. Maybe a little of everything…
if you master your job you will be able to master happiness.
I use to use mind tricks to accomplish certain task, perhaps that’s what I’ll do again.
When we’re younger, many of us get degrees and even advanced degrees based on the employment/income prospects of a certain profession. How often do we ask if we really like it and feel passionate about it, at that age when making such decisions? I think it’s important to give advice to younger people to have them strongly consider just how excited a certain career would make them. Then, maybe that nirvana can happen, and at an earlier age.
Well said!
I agree, I know I went into a major that would pay well. And I’m not unhappy with my choice, but it could have been better. I wish I had choosen differently when I was younger and in college like JT McGee.
Passion isn’t always easy to find at work especially in a large corporate environment, but if you’re working at least somewhere near what you love, there are places where you can find passion and pride in work well done. Well, that is what I hope and look for every day, too. 😉
I think that it exists for some people. I find work a pleasure sometimes but not all the time and sometimes I need a break from it. You can have too much of anything. Balance leads to more productivity, I believe. And, if want insurance for longevity, balance a lot of pleasure to balance out your work.
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