Do What You Love

Extracted from “The Star – 18th May 2013”

Let’s admit it; most of us spend our days working at jobs we do not like or are just not very good at. Too often, we hear of complaints and laments about dreading going to work, the inevitable curse of Monday blues and the agonising countdown before getting to clock out at the end of the day.

   We may also try to justify the status quo with excuses that only keep us stuck in jobs that we have outgrown or dislike and in workplaces that limit our true potential. A global research from Accenture (The Path Forward, 2012) across 31 countries including Malaysia, revealed that 58% of the respondents were dissatisfied with their jobs, but more than two-thirds (69%) do not plan to leave their current employers.

   Being stuck in a job we do not like does not only affect our own lives but often, the people around us, our families and even our employers. it is no-brainer that you are happiest, and most productive, when you get to do the things you enjoy. Realistically, a job puts food on the table and therefore, not only will you have to enjoy doing what you do, you have to be good at it.

Identifying Your Passion

There is a fine line between taking pleasure in a hobby and identifying your passion.

   Passion is something you feel strongly about, something that ignites your enthusiasm and perhaps, something that defines you.

   We do not always realise it, but identifying our passion comes easier than we think. We all have something that we fiercely love. But we are often held back by fear, familiarity and finances.

   Nevertheless, do we really want to end up years down the road in a job we are stuck with just because we fear the unknown or simply fall into comfort zone from a dependable routine?

    Financial security may have a stronger hold than any other reason, but doing what you love does not necessarily mean starting your own business or a complete change in career paths.

Capitalising On Your Transferrable Skills

For some, doing what you love could simply mean cashing in on the valuable experience and skills gathered from previous jobs. Job titles are often multi-dimensional. If you dissect each job or task that you have had, you will discover an array of specific skills.

   Some of these transferrable skills will pave your way towards new careers that will best utilise them. For instance, you may have had the opportunity to train workers or speak to large crowds and you may just realise that those skills will make you an effective motivational speaker, trainer or even a teacher. Identifying the transferrable skills that you have in you may just be the key to unlocking your passion.

Just Do It

Ultimately, to do what you love means having the courage to take the leap. Figure out what it is that you want to spend your time, attention and energy on and work on that craft. Making a living out of your passion does not always magically happen at the drop of a hat. It would be a mistake to think that once you take on the challenge, world-changing success will fall onto your lap. More often than not, a career change will throw curve balls at you.

   Many of the fears people face during career changes come from the pressure of immediate success. But mistakes  and failures do not mean the end; instead, they pose chances for growth and learning. Almost everybody – from genius innovator Steve Jobs, multi-billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson to Hollywood royalty Will Smith – have had their share of trials and tribulations. However, it should not go unnoticed that most of these famous icons have persevered in their journeys just to be able to do what they love.

   Failure, as Oprah Winfrey puts it, is “another stepping stone to greatness”. The good news is you will be doing what you love and will never have to wonder, “What if?” Besides, even if you do not like, how rewarding could that really be?

   There is also the fear of not knowing or learning enough, but at some point, you will need to just take the plunge and the sooner the better. The problem with wanting to be fully-prepared and learning everything is that you will not know what exactly is to come until you take the first step.

   Doing what you love takes courage because you have to start before you are ready. The trick is realising that you will never be ready and there will be no end to learning.

   This does not mean venturing into the unknown blindly as that would be foolish. Take on small step at a time. Set out goals and a master plan, but be prepared for detours and roadblocks along the way. The first step is always the hardest, but once you get past the initial fears and anxieties, your passion, energy and commitment will drive you on auto pilot.

   And so, the secret is, there is none. Anyone can do what they love; there is no secret formula. Persist with passion and positivity. Find where your passion lies and you will never have to work again.