Why you should consider job satisfaction and happiness over a huge salary
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life," Confucius
A colleague and I were discussing the state of 'misery' some find themselves in due to choosing comfort – pounds over passion. Many have fallen prey to the lures of a big monthly salary with endless benefits that would provide their chosen lifestyle, seemingly with all the trimmings that eventually become trappings.
Who can say with conviction that they are living their passion every day and loving their job?
There is nothing as exhilarating as waking up with a passion and a purpose. In my role as project manager within the technology industry, I get to work with a lot of like-minded people. I'm fortunate to find myself among a group of people where you 'feel' the passion across the airwaves when you interact with them. Trend-setters in their own right. It makes a big difference when you have a good 'people fit' at your work – a conglomerate of passionate people.
Over the last few decades the media contributed to career choice by belting out how important material goods are to 'make it', be seen as successful – even having the X-factor. Living la dolce vita turned les misérables (literally that is) for many? They sell the 'lifestyle' but never provide the fine print of the consequences - depression, poor health and stress.
Who hasn't looked at their proposed salary before applying for a job or enrolling for a study programme? The latter being the saddest of all when the person enters the job market bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of hope, yet at some point 'burn out' kicks in or they are let go because they cannot 'make the cut'.
We should enjoy the fruits of our labour, but without the lengthy therapy bill or list of prescription medication to deal with endless anxiety and despair.
Some people go through the motions year after year to hold on to something that is slowly seeping through their hands along with their life. Others try the next best thing moving from one career mistake to another, never filling that void called passion.
What if the passionate become the 'advertisements' putting Confucius's advice into practice. Work places, interest groups – a random encounter with a stranger are good billboards. Imagine changing someone's life by a few encouraging words to live their passion?
One needn't be a life coach or motivational speaker to pull someone out of their despair. It takes a small spark to start a fire. Even if the spark galvanizes a person into action to pursue their passion (career change).
Imagine a society where passionate people flourish and encourage each other to the next big discovery by sharing ideas. Connecting the dots that link industries together – where all are equally important by sharing their craft with the rest of society?
Would the planet today be greener and have enough resources whilst we as a society embrace one another's differences? Yes, today this thought is just Utopia, but still doable on a smaller scale.
We were all 'coded' with a passion, a niche – with shoes that no one can fill except us, because we are the Elon Musks, Stephen Hawkings, Michelangelos or Van Goghs of our given trade or art.
The current trendsetter is ex-South African Elon Musk. Imagine if he chose a paintbrush or a musical instrument? Would there be a SpaceX, a Falcon 9 reusable rocket or commercial space travel? There may have been another talented artist or musician in this world, however, it's Elon's passion that brought him to where he is today. His personal worth is $106.3B today - not something to sneeze at.
Isn't it time that you discovered your passion? After all, life is short so get out there and do what you love.
