The maxim, ” Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life, ” had been attributed to Confucius. What we do know for certain is that if we spend our time doing something other than what we love, in other words, if we lack passion and purpose in our work, we will also lack fulfilment. It stands to reason then, that if you spend your time doing something other than what you love to do, you will spend your days watching the clock, waiting until you can leave the office and then do what you really want to be doing.
Also, it is a question of freedom: we tend to enjoy the things we feel we are doing entirely by choice. As work, in any form, requires commitment, we need to be cognisant of the fact that even the most enjoyable Jobs will have their ups and downs and routines which tie you down. Having said that, what if you realise that you are in fact in a job that you are not passionate about? Is it wise to drop everything and follow your passion, assuming you do know what you would rather be doing, as opposed to generally feeling dissatisfied? Either way, the bottom line remains: not everyone has the luxury of dropping everything and taking a massive risk.
We all have different advantages, some based on good fortune and some based on the choices we previously made. Take an honest look at your current situation and make a plan based on what makes sense given your unique responsibilities and needs. Finding something that you are passionate about requires a keen knowledge of self. You must get yo know yourself, what you like and what you dislike, before you can expect to find what drives you. Take time to try new things and experiment. Doing what you love is not difficult, but it does require a conscious effort- it won’t happen unless you make it so.
By Fauzia Kerai Khan. The writer is Chief Consultant, i&b Consulting, Training, e-learning.