It’s a simple question. Very basic. But, it’s also a question that terrifies a lot of us, if we stop to think about it.
I’ll just ask you straight out…
Are you loving what you do?
I mean, we all “do” something. We have some kind of job, or something that keeps us busy. Do you love what you do? I’ll be honest… in general, I do love what I do. Partly, because for the most part, I do what I want to do. Every morning, when I wake up, I decide what I want to do that day. I don’t have to get up at a certain time, take a shower and head to the office. I don’t have to report to any certain person. However, I have to answer to myself. And, you know what? I am the toughest boss that I have ever had. I started working pretty regularly at age 12. I am 47 today. I’ve been working for myself since I was about 31 years old or so. I don’t recall ever having a boss that was as tough on me as I am.
I like it that way, though.
Steve Jobs of Apple Computer
You know who Steve Jobs is, right? Jobs is the founder and CEO of Apple Computer. He’s really a self-made man. I don’t always see eye-to-eye with Jobs. We have somewhat different life strategies in many ways. I do respect him for what he has done, though. Steve Jobs said something at an address to Graduating Students at Stanford University:
“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” – Steve Jobs
I couldn’t agree more on that statement. Brilliant.
How I started doing what I love
I started “doing what I love” in 1992. It all happened quickly. Up to that point, I had always had a job. I thought you were supposed to have a job. Most people think that. Most people get up in the morning dreading their day of going to work. They can’t wait for the weekend so that they can do what they want to do. Well, why not do what you want to do every day? That’s what I do.
You see, in 1992, I had taken a trip out of the country for a few weeks. When I got back to the States, I went to work, and was immediately fired. It is the only time I was ever fired from a job. It is, though, the best thing anybody ever did for me! I couldn’t thank my employer enough! I didn’t look at it that way when it happened. I was devastated. I am still unsure exactly why I was fired, because I had done nothing wrong. But, that’s beside the point. Although it took me some time, after I had time to consider it, I realized that it was quite liberating to be “on my own,” so to speak.
During the ensuing 17 years, I did go back to a “regular job” for about 2 years. Other than that, though, since getting fired I have always been self employed. Today, I can’t really say any single thing that I “do” for a living. I have lots of different things I do. I have many businesses. Some of my businesses go years between making money. Some of my businesses make money every day. When I get up in the morning, I tend to concentrate my efforts on whichever business I feel like messing with on that particular day.
What was it Steve Jobs said? When he looked in that mirror and asked if he “wanted to do” what he was about to do that day, if he said “no” too often, he needed to make an adjustment, right? Well, I don’t look into that mirror, and I doubt that Jobs literally did either, but I make a similar decision each day.
From time to time, each of us must do something that we would rather not do for a day or two. Even me. Yes, most days I do whatever I want to do. Some days, though, I have to concentrate on something I would prefer to not do. But, that’s life. As long as those “do what you have to do” days are not what I have to do too often, well, I’m OK with that. Because I know that in just a few days, I will get to do what I want to do again.
I didn’t come up with my personal motto immediately when I got fired from my job. In fact it took me about 15 years before I realized what my motto was. But, even though I did not realize it was my motto, my daily life has been lived by this motto for many, many years already:
Do what you are passionate about, and what you enjoy. If you are passionate about it, the money will follow. – Bob Martin
How did you discover what you love? That is my problem….I can't even remember what I wanted to do as a kid!
Hi Miguk – For me, it is not about what you wanted as a child. What a child wants to do is not based on reality. But, if you can do a number of different things and find what you enjoy doing, that's what it's all about. Surely, you have personal things that you enjoy doing, if you can figure out how to make money doing those things, well, you will enjoy life a lot more than if you are a slave to something just for the money.
Good luck in finding your niche!
What I enjoy doing doesn't pay too well hahahaha. I love playing basketball, but what money can a old, fat white dude make from that. I agree with you so much about being a wage slave though. Very thought-provoking. I even went to other websites and Steve Jobs even says basically do what you love…..easy for him to say!
Hi Miguk – I am certainly too old and not in the physical condition to play basketball, nor have I ever had the skills. Even with that, I can think of lots of ways to make money from basketball, so it can be done. If you are the entrepreneurial type, making money can be done in any field if you think outside the box.
I have reached a crossroads. I can't extend in this job any longer, but I have been trying to get back to the Philippines for a long time. Also, we had been planning on retiring here (although it is a little early for that – I am only 50). So I am really torn if I just want to stay here or not….entrepreneurial outlook does not trump a steady paycheck (for me anyway).
For you perhaps. But, I would never go back to collecting a paycheck again. I love being an entrepreneur. When I lived in the States, I got a paycheck every month. Now, I am an entrepreneur, and I may or may not make money. But… I make a lot more money now than I ever did in the States. It's worked out well for me.
Good on you really. Dealing with the income fluctuations has got to be verigo-inducing, at least initially.
Hi Miguk – It is difficult at first… heck, it can be difficult all the time. But, you get used to it. Not having to answer to a boss is nice, though, even though in reality I am harder on myself than any boss I ever worked for! And, your customers are also your boss in reality.
I think it takes a certain personality type also. It is good you are able to make it happen. In some ways I would love to stay here as you have done, but I am afraid that the numerous aggrivations of this place would eventually reach a tipping point — where they outweighed the good points of living here.
Hi Miguk – I find that if you come here and stay here for a few years without leaving, you learn to adjust to those things that bother you. After that, it is second nature.
I have been here for five years and the things that bother me become more bothersome not less. At least the new president has stopped the unnecessary noise pollution from sirens