Career Success: Doing What You Love To Do

"Do what you love to do and you will never work a day in your life."

Confucius

To do something well, you most likely have to like doing it. Here is a recent post on a medical student/resident Web site: "Honestly, I don't even see being a doctor as a job, because it is such a great gift to be able to help and heal someone." I have also heard from some teachers who find teaching a real joy when they connect with difficult students-and see them fully grasp new concepts and exhibit a desire to learn. It has to be rewarding for a teacher. You also hear that firefighters, pastors, and even some airline pilots rank their jobs at the top of the "happiest" scale. Gurcharan Das, the Indian CEO for Proctor and Gamble, has been quoted on numerous occasions about what it is like to contribute all of your effort to the job at hand by being totally immersed in what you are doing. He says, "It is absorbedness-total contentment in work so engrossing that you don't even know that you are working. It may be working early morning hours without even realizing the time going by because you are so content in what you are doing."

The thought about doing the thing you most love to do, I believe presupposes a certain period of time. To eat a gourmet meal at a fine restaurant in Paris or sail around the Hawaiian Islands on a beautiful warm day (to most of us) is something we would love to do more than any job. So I think Confucius would agree that he meant what would give you the greatest satisfaction and pleasure over time - not for the moment.

I've known some graphic artists and programmers who say they love what they do and would never have to be asked to stay after 5 PM to finish a project. (Many would stay through the night if you bought the coffee). Most entrepreneurs and inventors get so caught up in what they are doing-totally immersed-that they lose sight of time, sleep, and even others who may not have the same passion.

Fund raisers for major charities, Peace Corp volunteers, veterinarians, ski instructors, actors, etc. have satisfying days but, I'm sure, also have ups and downs. The true test of whether someone loves what they do (his or her chosen profession) probably has to do with compensation. Would they be doing the same thing if they weren't making a decent wage doing so? Some attorneys do pro bono work for the disadvantaged or for the public good, but must have paying clients for their country club dues and house payments. An artist I know works on a particular painting for months without a chance of selling it for (much or any) profit, but that doesn't seem to discourage her. This must qualify for doing something you love. We could define "doing something you love to do for employment" as making a positive contribution - without starving to death.

In reality, you do not walk out the college doors and into the job of your dreams - one you will love, unless your love is raising horses and your family is ready hand over the reigns (pun intended) to the family ranch. If you have a passion about helping other people you might want to join a non-profit organization, start medical school, work for a political campaign, work for a homeless shelter, join the Peace Corp, etc. If you are a finance wiz, perhaps a job on Wall Street is your cup of tea, or working for one of the Big Four accounting firms. If you love travel and tourism, maybe American Express Travel, Expedia, American Airlines, or your state tourism department should be on your list. If you are a great cook, hair stylist, or florist and want to own your own restaurant, boutique shop, or franchise, there are skills you need to acquire to run a business (and be successful) no matter how much you love what you are doing. The point is that you are, in all probability, going to have to get an education, attain practical skills, and take intermediary steps to get to the point of doing what you love. Some of these steps may be drudgery but you've got to continuously look toward the end result.

Here's some practical advice I wholeheartedly agree with from Penelope Trunk, of Brazen Careerist. "Do not what you love; do what you are." Many tests have been developed to highlight your strengths and weaknesses, such as Myers-Briggs, which provides a list of jobs where you would likely excel based on your strengths, experience, and education. Penelope goes on to say, "Relationships make your life great, not jobs.

But a job can ruin your life - make you feel out of control in terms of your time or your ability to accomplish goals - but no job will make your life complete." Do what you love and perhaps money won't matter quite as much. In reality, by chasing the dream of what you love to do, you tap into an inner energy that propels you to do the best, most extraordinary work you are capable of. This will get you recognized and, if there is any money in your chosen field, you should be compensated accordingly. To do something well you most likely have to like doing it was my opening statement. Focus on your strengths. Contemplate the tough issues of where you have been, where you are now, where you would like to be. Develop a (realistic) plan to get you there. Unless you are proactive, outline and complete the intermediate steps (and overcome the challenges), you won't end up where you want to be.

Richard S. Pearson is the Author of 5 Necessary Skills to Keep Your Career on Track available on Amazon. He has held vice-president positions with four multibillion dollar travel industry companies and three Internet early stage companies. He has a BA degree from Regis University in Organizational Development. His experience has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate the organizational structures of both large and small companies. He has hired and trained hundreds of employees from frontline salespeople to vice presidents, and coached many through their careers. He is currently working on facilitating the large increase of travel between the US and China, which is taking place.http://www.5necessaryskills.com

Make a Move - To a New Job or Promotion Now

We've pretty much hit rock bottom in the job market. Yes, some layoffs will continue in 2011 and beyond - there will always be downsizing - but the unemployment numbers will start dropping, as smart, well-managed companies have already begun to prepare for a sustained economic upturn. If you work for one of these forward thinking companies, you better start to jockey for position to replenish management ranks, as they bring new people on board to fill vacant and expansion positions held over from the deepest recession in decades.

This is similar to the wisdom imparted by a good stock market advisor, buy low and sell high. As we know in the market, many investors jump on the bandwagon trying to catch waves already cresting, then end up selling on the down slope. Companies have shed almost seven and one-half million jobs since the recession started, kept inventories at minimal levels, and stripped advertising budgets to the bone. They must now reposition themselves to take advantage of the economic upturn - even though the jobs piece of the equation is still on a somewhat slippery slope. This presents a great opportunity - in the trough of the jobs market - to advance in your career by riding the wave as recruitment begins in earnest.

Now is the time to gain maximum visibility in your company. Volunteer for new assignments, process improvement committees, to assist other departments, charity drives, even the holiday party planning team. Position yourself as the "go to" person in your department or division. Network within your company, with your manager, mentor, or any other connection, that you are ready for more responsibility. Update your resume and highlight your skills and experience, which have prepared you for more challenge. Why should your company's management look outside the organization, incur recruiting expenses, have questions if someone will fit into the company's culture, etc. when you are a proven asset? But it is up to you and your allies in the organization to communicate this. Your immediate boss, department manager, mentor(s), and others you interact with should be enlisted to sing your praises. Ask other departments, human resources, and your boss to keep you in the loop on jobs before they are even posted - to give you the first crack at them.

If your company does not have near term growth prospects for you, begin looking outside. Now is the time to re-evaluate your skills, education, and experience to begin the search for your dream job. Will you require some intermediate steps like going back to school for an MBA or other course work in your field? Do you need more experience in a particular discipline before you are qualified for your ultimate job? At the same time, evaluate if this dream job is in a field that is expected to continue to have above average growth in the coming years? Will it require a move to another part of the country? Do you have enough savings to make a move - since many companies have cut down on relocation reimbursements? All of these questions need to be answered as you take proactive steps to move forward down your career path.

If the chosen profession has limited growth and therefore upward movement, it may be time to look for a position in another field where your skills and experience will also apply. The US Labor Department has forecast the highest growth occupations through 2018, and may help you in your decision of where to look. Network systems and data communications positions will grow by over 53%; personal and home care aides by 50%; home health aides by almost 49%; computer software engineers by over 44%; and veterinary technologists by 41% to name a few. This information can be found, as well as fast growing cities, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site.

A few words of caution - do not ignore any of your current job responsibilities as you look ahead, down your career path. And for heaven's sake don't tell co-workers you are looking elsewhere, as this will spread like wildfire and could damage chances for an internal promotion. Do your research away from the office, on your own computer and phone, and schedule interviews or meetings over lunch or take a vacation day.

It is up to you, and only you, to seize these new career opportunities, whether inside or outside of your current company. Timing is in your favor, as companies announce their expansion plans and flocks of transitional workers begin tossing their resumes into the hat. Go for it!

Richard S. Pearson is the Author of 5 Necessary Skills to Keep Your Career on Track available on Amazon. He has held vice-president positions with four multibillion dollar travel industry companies and three Internet early stage companies. He has a BA degree from Regis University in Organizational Development. His experience has given him a unique perspective on how to navigate the organizational structures of both large and small companies. He has hired and trained hundreds of employees from frontline salespeople to vice presidents, and coached many through their careers. He is currently working on facilitating the large increase of travel between the US and China, which is taking place.http://www.5necessaryskills.com