Yesterday, I gave you four words from John Wooden that I believe have led people to think misery is normal:
“Most jobs aren’t glamorous.”
My mind took an unexpected turn in the process and I ended up missing the point I wanted to make. Today I’m going to give you the six words I meant to:
“…but yours should be to you.”
Mr. Wooden is correct, the variety of occupations out there means most people will be something other than a movie star or professional athlete. However, the idea that our work has to bring fame or fortune is a misguided conception of prestige.
Instead of measuring the “glamor” in our lives by the number of paparazzi behind us, let’s tip the scales in favor of enjoyment and passion.
Which sounds more appealing, being in the public fishbowl all the time or coming home to your family feeling you’ve done something worthwhile? Would you rather be fatigued by the emotional toxicity of your environment or worn out from the amount of your soul you put into your day?
Most of us go into a field because of things like “return on investment,” thinking the money spent in college will be worth it because the pay can be great. We set aside “childish fascinations” to be sure we can handle “adult responsibilities.”
Think about this: Who seems to be having the most fun? Is it the guy that remembers wanting to be an engineer since he was six or the woman that decided to enter the field because there was a better chance she’d get a job? Do you think Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey fell into their careers based on how much they would earn?
The old saying goes: “Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
It’s a lie…but what other than love could make you really work like that?
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