How do I find my passion?

[PenforPrez]

The longer I go, the more I realize I don't have much in the the way of true vocational passions in my life. I was on another long crying spell this afternoon and I came to realize that again. I don't have a burning career passion.

I attribute that mainly to my rage and burnout at Wal-Mart, which I'm still recovering from. That took a lot out of me, physically and emotionally. But since I left, I've found myself more confused about the job market and career paths than I ever was.

I took history because I enjoyed it; I didn't know what I was going to do with it. I kicked around several ideas, but I didn't really get the feeling I was looking for. I was (am still am) rather naive and I don't have a worldly understanding of things. The real world has frightened me into inaction all my life. Some of that is my fault; I should have sought help long before I did. That ship has sailed now. I'm doing the best I can now with what I have.

I have a lot of things I like to do and keep involved in, but I can't make careers out of them. I've been successful at one thing in my life: my quiz bowl work. I have had at least some success at everything I have tried in the industry. I've taken bigger challenges and bigger risks in the last couple of years, and I have done well.

This is where positive-thinking people drive me up the wall. So many people who don't understand the game's fundamentals want me to spin this into some sort of full-time career. But it's not possible! NOBODY can make a full-time career in that business because the entire industry operates on a fragile, shoestring budget. There's no room for people to work full-time at it. I've been doing it as an active second job for years, and just now am I able to make a little money at it.

I've never really had a lot of success with anything else. I did some serious dabbling in politics in 2004 and got eaten alive. Lesson learned there: You can't "dabble" in politics. I don't know how all these legislative aides and people like that get hired for their positions. I have good political contacts, and I don't know about these things. Flies right by me. No news there.

I don't have any huge dreams or goals in my life. I want to break down and cry at the thought of "five years from now." I have trouble getting out of the bed every single morning from exhaustion; how am I supposed to be passionate about something? How do I find my passion when I'm too tired and frightened to think?

Sorry for the whine, everybody. Just a thought I've been trying to work out in between tearful outbursts all afternoon.

Paul

[Krishna]

Everyone has those days. Personally, I think you sound like me. A lot. I've been on the verge of crying for the last 2 days. Finding your passion in life is hard- I'm not entirely convinced that I've found mine yet. I blame the American system, i.e. graduate high school, go directly to college/tech school (knowing exactly what you want to do) and leave there 3-6 years later without having the faintest clue what the "real world" is like and whether you'll actually enjoy what you've just completed your education in. In your case, you'll just have to experiment a little-you talked about moving...maybe that would be a good idea. See new things, meet new people, get a different view on life. I get into the trouble of the "five years from now" bit too, but for the opposite reason: I know where I want to be in 5 years, and for the life of me can't make anything fall into place.

Paul, I have to mention this, and please don't take this the wrong way...but if you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and always feel exhausted, you might want to look into some depression screening. I've been through this myself, and it was only with considerable effort that I got myself out of that depressive sink hole....(now it seems I'm backsliding a bit). I don't want to sound like I know your situation, because I don't, but when you mention what you've just mentioned, it makes me want to mention what I went through, in the hopes that maybe I can prevent someone else's pain. :sad:

We're here for you.

[lovesoon1207]

Wow..this sounds a lot like me too.I keep trying to find a career that will make me feel happy and saisfied but it has been an absolute struggle.

I thought about becoming a paralegal because I enjoy research and working on my own...I'm very good at writing and proofreading so it seemed like a good idea.I applied to a paralegal program and got accepted.I got a letter in the mail saying that I was not eligible for any funding.I called the school and it turns out because it is a certificate program and not an actual master's program that there is no financial aid so it costs 12,000 dollars for a 9 month program.I could have applied for a loan but it's like 15,000 dollars with traveling expenses and books which eventually I am going to have to pay back with interest.I was dissappointed that it didn't work out.

So then,I was like what else do I like.I like reading and books.So,I looked into becoming a librarian.In order to get accepted into the program I need to take my GREs in less than a month because the deadline for the Spring semester is Oct 1.I haven't taken the GREs because I am afraid I am not going to pass the math section.Math is my worst subject.I know that I will need to do really well on the GRE because grad school is so competitive.

I just feel like it is impossible to find what I truly would like to do as a career.I believe that you are right.We are sent out into the real world with no idea if we are going to like what we got our degrees in.That's what happened to me.Now I'm struggling to find something that I enjoy.

At times,it is a little frustrating when nothing seems to fall into place.But I just keep trying to have some hope....that I am meant to be where I am at the moment and the right thing will work out somehow.

[winneythepooh7]

I may have missed a thread, but what ever happened with the job interviews you went on recently? In regards to finding "passion at work", I can say that I really enjoy my job for the most part, but on average, still feel like "Is this it? Is this how my life is going to be for the rest of my life with work?"..............I still feel that there is something else out there I would love doing much more, but honestly, for the life of me, I just can't figure out what.........

[PenforPrez]

I may have missed a thread, but what ever happened with the job interviews you went on recently?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Never heard from anybody; I called them back, and couldn't get ahold of who I needed to talk to.

I've been going through some wicked mood swings the last couple of weeks. I'll feel I'm making progress and feel happy and more confident (which I was around this time yesterday). Then I'll see some piece of advice or somebody will say something or similar and I'll just break down into tears, sometimes for an hour or more.

It frightens me, but I've still grown sort of numb to the things depression throws at me. I've learned to expect anything.

Paul, I have to mention this, and please don't take this the wrong way...but if you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and always feel exhausted, you might want to look into some depression screening.

I'm currently on about my fourth "official" depression diagnosis. Been there and back. So many times, it's like a big circle. I hate not having any energy; that's the most worrisome thing to me. People say I should have more "youthful energy." I'm like, "What energy??"

Paul

[lonestar]

We all go a little mad sometimes. I had a total freak out panic attack on these boards yesterday or the other day...but I calmed myself down by the end of the day. I know in your case you have a bit further to go because you haven't been employed, but I would say to you that you just have to move to where there are decent jobs. I understand that it sounds like a tremendous task and perhaps insurmountable, but it really isn't. I got worried because of my feeling of lack of progress, but I reasoned that a) I only have been living in Texas for 11 months, b) I moved to a place where I am 1800 miles from any family, c) I have a decent paying job, and d) I have done this all on my own so far - most of my family gets jobs through connections back home. That's pretty respectable progress and I am not anything special. Bottom line, you can probably do a similar thing. But it takes a fuck-you world attitude, some balls and the willingness to work crap jobs for a little while - I worked as a dishwasher with people who couldn't speak English for a couple months while on the job hunt. I would say just go and do, man...borrow like 1000 bucks from your folks, find a place to stay for a little while on craigslist and get into a nearby city and hit the pavement. At this point, if you fail, at least you tried and you can always go home...

Bottom line: every once and a while you just gotta say "what the fuck". "what the fuck" gives you freedom....

(2 movie quotes in this post).

[wordsmith]

I would say just go and do, man...borrow like 1000 bucks from your folks, find a place to stay for a little while on craigslist and get into a nearby city and hit the pavement. At this point, if you fail, at least you tried and you can always go home...

Bottom line: every once and a while you just gotta say "what the fuck". "what the fuck" gives you freedom....

(2 movie quotes in this post).


Correction..."what the fuck" and parents or somebody to borrow that grand of safety net money from gives you freedom. Not everybody has that option.

[Krishna]

I'm currently on about my fourth "official" depression diagnosis. Been there and back. So many times, it's like a big circle. I hate not having any energy; that's the most worrisome thing to me. People say I should have more "youthful energy." I'm like, "What energy??"

Paul

Glad you're on top of that. I feel ya on the "whole big circle" bit. I've been there, back, and around again too. Every time it seems to come on quicker and takes a little longer to dig out of. I'll just try to stop this backslide... :googly:

[john_dunbar]

This article has been circulating the net via del.icio.us the past couple days. I think it may really help you find your passion.

http://briankim.net/blog/2006/07/how-to-find-what-you-love-to-do/

[disillusion]

Maybe the problem is your looking for passion in a world where it doesn't exsist.

[lonestar]

Correction..."what the fuck" and parents or somebody to borrow that grand of safety net money from gives you freedom. Not everybody has that option.

A grand is pretty easy to come up with...I imagine most people can drum up a thousand bucks in a couple days by asking some family and friends...you might have to deal with the guilt trip...but I think it is definitely feasable.

[disillusion]

some people simply do not have that kind of money.

[lonestar]

I guess that presumption is a result of my sheltered life...I do thank my stars that I have that comfort...if I fuck up I can always make a phone call, not that it would be an easy one.

[PenforPrez]

A grand is pretty easy to come up with...I imagine most people can drum up a thousand bucks in a couple days by asking some family and friends

I couldn't. My entire family is broke and unconnected. Then again, my father's family grew up doing subsistence farming in the Ozarks during the Depression; they're a lot better off now being broke. ;) I'm convinced I have THE most unconnected family in this country.

That's not the point though. I seriously could not raise $1000 in a short time frame. I know two people offhand who would have the money to loan; and neither one would.

I don't know where I'd move to anyway. All the jobs are supposed to be in Florida, but I've been to Florida, and I didn't like it. Staying away from Florida might be a good thing for me right now due to personal reasons.

I make no secret of my hatred of Texas (no offense Lonestar; you're originally from elsewhere ;)). I'm not enthused with anywhere in the South right now, and I know very little about the West. I have toyed with the notion of Denver; always sounded fascinating. If I had my choice, I'd move to Britain; I'd be a hit over there, I think. :)

I'm a sixth-generation Missourian; I'm very attached to this state. But my location depresses me and makes me generally unhappy anymore. As I've told several people recently: "There'll always be a Missouri. But I won't be around forever." I'm sold on the idea of moving, just don't know where to or what for.

Paul

[lonestar]

I absolutely refuse to believe there are no jobs in St. Louis or Kansas City. I have lived in smaller cities than that and found jobs.

[wordsmith]

A grand is pretty easy to come up with...I imagine most people can drum up a thousand bucks in a couple days by asking some family and friends...you might have to deal with the guilt trip...but I think it is definitely feasable.


Trust me when I say that although my family would LOVE to be in a position to float me a thousand dollars should I need it, they just can't. There is no way I could easily drum up even a couple HUNDRED bucks in a pinch, to be honest.

[winneythepooh7]

Trust me when I say that although my family would LOVE to be in a position to float me a thousand dollars should I need it, they just can't. There is no way I could easily drum up even a couple HUNDRED bucks in a pinch, to be honest.

I hear ya on that one. When "emergencies" come up, I'd most often rather be a slave to my credit card then have to go to a parent to ask for money.

[PenforPrez]

I absolutely refuse to believe there are no jobs in St. Louis or Kansas City. I have lived in smaller cities than that and found jobs.

I refuse to believe it too; I've always believed I could find SOMETHING in St. Louis. But there's that little bastard called "luck" that gets in the way. I don't have any of it.

Either I'm painted as a "worthless liberal arts major" or my contacts are "too busy" or my resume disappears in a great big pile somewhere, never to be seen again. Always one thing after another. It's like whack-a-mole, only I'm the one getting hit on the head. :googly:

Then the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed say: "You have to create your own luck." How in the hell do I go about doing THAT?! :confused:

Paul

[pisces2473]

What about a temp agency in the cities? That's a start, no?

[PenforPrez]

What about a temp agency in the cities? That's a start, no?

Those were the people who told me I was a worthless liberal arts major! I've tried most of them, and they either tell me that or "we have nothing at the moment." And the circle begins again. :googly:

Paul

[RedHead1420]

This article has been circulating the net via del.icio.us the past couple days. I think it may really help you find your passion.

http://briankim.net/blog/2006/07/how-to-find-what-you-love-to-do/

What would you do with a million dollars? haha... the first thing that came to mind was "2 chicks at the same time" Thank you Office Space.

[lonestar]

I refuse to believe it too; I've always believed I could find SOMETHING in St. Louis. But there's that little bastard called "luck" that gets in the way. I don't have any of it.

Either I'm painted as a "worthless liberal arts major" or my contacts are "too busy" or my resume disappears in a great big pile somewhere, never to be seen again. Always one thing after another. It's like whack-a-mole, only I'm the one getting hit on the head. :googly:

Then the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed say: "You have to create your own luck." How in the hell do I go about doing THAT?! :confused:

Paul

I have close to the same degree as you do...when I first started working, temp agencies didn't even ask me about my degree. Instead, they wanted to know wpm, software abilities, ect...I think you are maybe focusing too much on your degree and not selling other skills that you have.

[PenforPrez]

I have close to the same degree as you do...when I first started working, temp agencies didn't even ask me about my degree. Instead, they wanted to know wpm, software abilities, ect...I think you are maybe focusing too much on your degree and not selling other skills that you have.

My customer service and clerical experience are front and center, and I try to sell those. But they always get ignored. They look at my writing, and write me off. Maybe I'm missing a trick somewhere.

Paul

[lonestar]

I don't know what you are doing wrong, but I have worked in situations where people have jobs and have far less to offer (not just college degree but reading and writing ability, computer skills, organization and analytical abilities, ect.). So I just think that you are not selling yourself well enough, don't show confidence in front of employers, or are not sending out enough resumes (I try and keep the following equation in mind when doing a job search when I don't already have a job and have little experience: 100 resumes yields 8 responses yields 3 interviews). I know that is a conservative estimate but it is practical when doing a job search.

From the tone of your other posts, it sounds as though you lack confidence in your own abilities and don't really know how to sell them. I am a shy person who lacks confidence too, but I have realized one thing: people respond to confidence. It sucks, but its true. It's not a timid person's world...you have to be agressive to get opportunities that you want, and playing it safe may help save face sometimes but its really not the best way to go.

[PenforPrez]

So I just think that you are not selling yourself well enough, don't show confidence in front of employers, or are not sending out enough resumes (I try and keep the following equation in mind when doing a job search when I don't already have a job and have little experience: 100 resumes yields 8 responses yields 3 interviews). I know that is a conservative estimate but it is practical when doing a job search.

How does one properly sell themselves to employers? This is another concept that I find confusing. I can't sell anything; I'm not all that persuasive. It's hard for me to be confident in front of employers when I don't know what I'm doing.

I've sent out well over 100 resumes, and I've not gotten that numbers of results. Not even close. :sad:

Paul

[pisces2473]

I have close to the same degree as you do...when I first started working, temp agencies didn't even ask me about my degree. Instead, they wanted to know wpm, software abilities, ect...I think you are maybe focusing too much on your degree and not selling other skills that you have.
I agree. Most temp agencies want a warm body at a desk. I think you just need to keep bombarding these agencies. Don't let the "you're just a liberal arts major" stop you.

[lonestar]

I think getting a job is 90% selling yourself. If you have the tone of "here's what I think I can offer, but I don't really know how I can help your company" on your cover letters, of course you are not going to get any responses.

Everybody has the ability to sell, its just that most people don't know they have it. Have you ever convinced anyone in your family to do something (ie. go to a restaurant, go on a trip, do this or that)...that's selling...you might not be a great salesman of certain products, but think of yourself as a product...what are your strengths, advantages, what can you do to improve so-and-so at such-and-such company? You know yourself better than anyone else...if anyone can sell you, its you...

If the 1985 Chicago Bears could make people believe that the "The Shufflin Crew" single was worth $6, you can certainly make people believe that your abilities are worthwhile...

[Jedi of Zen]

Pen,

I can sense the despair and frustration in your post. I'm not going to pretend to have the perfect solution to solve all your problems, b/c frankly we live in a world in which the answers are not always easy or clear. However, having struggled thru a lot of depression/confusion over life/etc myself (esp with career goals), I would like to say a few things.

I am 27. I have yet to even complete a college degree, and am only just now working on that. In order to do so, I have had to move back in with my parents - ie, also in the South (AL) - "the Sahara of the Bozart", as H.L. Mencken so rightly once said.

I won't get into all the details of my own circumstances, but due to factors that are now beyond my control I'm going to be almost 31 before I finish my degree. Not my bachelor's, but my associate's. Given that I started working on my degree nearly 2 years ago, it will end up taking me nearly FIVE years to complete my associate's. This is largely in part b/c when I was in school several years ago, I had so many bad grades, and those grades have now come back to screw me over - despite the fact that my current school had told me for the first entire year that I was there that this would not become a problem (ie, they basically lied to me flat out, and I almost ended up going to court over it - but again this is all a story for another post). Now I'm having to spend at least an additional year taking random/unnecessary classes just to get my GPA back up to where it needs to be before I can apply for entry into the nursing program, which I am pursuing.

So now I am stuck here in the cultural wastelands of redneck hell, where I have almost no friends and I rarely if ever get the chance to meet women who are even remotely anything like the types that I prefer (ie, the types that have more than 3 brain cells and can spell their own names).

I guess my point here is, you are most definitely not alone in experiencing feelings of frustration. I know that my own situation is probably nothing at all like yours, but hang in there.

One other thing real quick - if you ever feel so inclined, try reading "Do One Thing Different" by Bill O'Hanlon. Great book, really made a difference in my outlook on life.

Again, hang in there.

[PenforPrez]

So now I am stuck here in the cultural wastelands of redneck hell, where I have almost no friends and I rarely if ever get the chance to meet women who are even remotely anything like the types that I prefer (ie, the types that have more than 3 brain cells and can spell their own names).

You live next door to me?? :huge:

Wait, if you live where SINGLE girls are, you can't be living next door to me. :p

Paul

[PenforPrez]

I think getting a job is 90% selling yourself. If you have the tone of "here's what I think I can offer, but I don't really know how I can help your company" on your cover letters, of course you are not going to get any responses.

Everybody has the ability to sell, its just that most people don't know they have it. Have you ever convinced anyone in your family to do something (ie. go to a restaurant, go on a trip, do this or that)...that's selling...you might not be a great salesman of certain products, but think of yourself as a product...what are your strengths, advantages, what can you do to improve so-and-so at such-and-such company? You know yourself better than anyone else...if anyone can sell you, its you...

So how precisely is this done? If I'm writing out a cover letter, how do I apply this concept?

I'm going to another staffing place tomorrow; how do I approach this with more confidence?

Paul

[lonestar]

Your cover letter should indicate not your skills per se, but what your skills can do for the company...that's what employers are interested.

Also, you said in another post that a an advisor or career counselor told you that you didn't have a lot of self confidence..if others notice that it can become a problem..unfortunately, there is little that others can impart to you about having confidence in yourself. As others have said in the past "fake it until you make it"...

[PenforPrez]

Your cover letter should indicate not your skills per se, but what your skills can do for the company...that's what employers are interested.

Also, you said in another post that a an advisor or career counselor told you that you didn't have a lot of self confidence..if others notice that it can become a problem..unfortunately, there is little that others can impart to you about having confidence in yourself. As others have said in the past "fake it until you make it"...

I'm not a great actor either. "Faking it" is not a talent of mine. I'm not sure how to do that either.

I'm just an honest, sincere person; there just seems to be no career place for honest people anymore. Anytime I try to lie, I get caught, so I gave up trying.

I've always tried to impart how my skills would be beneficial in cover letters; apparently, I'm not doing that right either.

Paul

[lonestar]

Its not lying, lying is not advisable in a career search...its "spinning" or promoting your abilities to best fit a company's needs/organizations.

The other thing is notice in your posts is you sound "subtractive"...you tend to discount yourself at every opportunity. If that is a pattern, and you carry yourself with that sort of demeanor, people will pick up on that...

[Deavan]

Sorry for the whine, everybody. Just a thought I've been trying to work out in between tearful outbursts all afternoon.

Paul


Paul I have read your posts about your job search and I resisted saying anything until now...

What you need to do is write down a LIST of all your postive attibutes as well as ALL OF THE SKILLS which you have aquired through school and or internships or jobs etc. THEN pick a few of your stronger points and write a letter. ITS NOT THAT HARD! It is incredibaly FRUSTRATING reading about all the excuses you have.

Since I don't know you my only impression is that you are lazy and don't want to work hard to find a job ANY FRICKING JOB to pay your mounting bills. You clearly need your parents to stop supporting you in every way in order to light a fire under your ass and make you DO SOMETHING about finding ANY JOB that pays your bills.

WE HAVE ALL BEEN THERE in the same frustrating place as you in regards to the job seach but most people choose to DO SOMETHING about it whether it be temping just to GET MONEY or to get your foot in the door of a company and then apply for something permanent once you are in there.

PLEASE stop your whinning and MAKE SOME PROGRESS...if it helps I can send you a copy of my cover letter which for some reason people actually read and I have a 90% rate of getting an interview from between that and my resume. You can't use it clearly since my skills and experience vary greatly from yours but it might give you some ideas...

[WorkInProgress]

What you need to do is write down a LIST of all your postive attibutes as well as ALL OF THE SKILLS which you have aquired through school and or internships or jobs etc.
I think this is a great idea, and if you haven't already done this, I think you should.

[cheshrcarol]

I haven't read every single response to this, so maybe someone has said this already. But IMO having a career that's your passion is a luxury. Your biggest concern should first be to be self-supporting. And then next should be to find a job you can live with and maybe enjoy.

[wordsmith]

But IMO having a career that's your passion is a luxury.

I don't agree with this. I think that a career SHOULD be your passion, and if it's not, you owe it to yourself to go back to the drawing board and figure out what is and how to do it. Nobody should have to spend their lives devoting themselves to a profession that they can tolerate and maybe enjoy.

But we're not talking a career, in this guy's case. We're talking a job...means to an end, way to make some money and get out of a bad situation and figure out what to REALLY do. A job is different than a career. A job is something you do out of necessity. A career is where you find what's right for you. I have no problem saying, "Suck it up and find a job for the time being." But I do have a problem saying that for an actual long-term career, you should just take what you can get, regardless of how it actually appeals to you. I will never spend my life doing something I tolerate.

[workaholic?]

I haven't read every single response to this, so maybe someone has said this already. But IMO having a career that's your passion is a luxury. Your biggest concern should first be to be self-supporting. And then next should be to find a job you can live with and maybe enjoy.

i agree with this completely. if i were to work doing just what i'm passionate about, i'm pretty sure i'd be broke. i like volunteering...helping out in food banks, soup kitchens, lower-income schools, anything. i like to help. and i also love to read novels, but i don't think i could make much of a living reading novels.

now, my job...i'm not completely UNpassionate about it. i'm happy that i'm using my degree, and when i actually do get something accomplished (which is sort of a rare thing) i get immensely proud of myself. I actually think i'm becoming more and more passionate about what i do...the longer i do it, the more i know about it and the better i get at it. i think it's the sense of accomplishment that i feel that brings on the sense of passion.

i know there are some people who do what they love and what they've always loved, and i'm happy for them. did i dream of managing construction projects in the oil industry when i was a little girl? absolutely not. but it's not so bad, and it pays the bills.

[lonestar]

The way I see it, you can be passionate about other things aside from work...I am passionate about internet porn, but I ain't gonna get paid for it...I make a few bucks here and there as a musician, but nothing to really live on. I say pick something that will provide the $ to enjoy other aspects of life on your "off-time".

[Trillian42]

I haven't read every single response to this, so maybe someone has said this already. But IMO having a career that's your passion is a luxury. Your biggest concern should first be to be self-supporting. And then next should be to find a job you can live with and maybe enjoy.

I have to kind of agree with this. I think the biggest problem most of us have with our careers is that somewhere along the way it was put into our heads that our job should fulfill our passion. That if you do not 100% love your job, you better find a new job. Personally, I'm trying to program this out of my head.

I think I need to be in a job/career path that allows me to feel good about myself, but does not have to 100% fulfill my passions. Maybe I am a blue collar worker that only has to work X number of stress free hours in a work week, which leaves me enough time and energy to enjoy being with my spouse and kids in the evening and weekends, something I am passionate about. Maybe I work for a non profit organization because my passion is to help people.

I don't know, this whole question is something I have struggled with since I graduated high school. I think we need to stop saying "You MUST find a career that you LOVE" and start saying "Your job should be an enjoyable aspect of your life most of the time, which allows you to become the person you want to be".

Personally my passion, the thing I most want to do with my life is be a great wife and mother. Some may not call that a career, and I won't make any money doing it, but it is my main passion.

[wordsmith]

Well, we can argue that all day and never really identify with the other viewpoint, so that's okay, it's just a diff. strokes for diff. folks thing.

I personally don't see the point in making what I spend the bulk of my waking time doing being something that only marginally appeals. But I know a lot of people work jobs they tolerate to afford to pursue passions in their off-time. I'd rather find a way to pursue my passions both on and off the job. So far, so good. I just don't ever want a job where I have to say, "Yeah, it's not so bad."

[wordsmith]

Maybe I am a blue collar worker that only has to work X number of stress free hours in a work week, which leaves me enough time and energy to enjoy being with my spouse and kids in the evening and weekends, something I am passionate about.

Point taken, but it bears saying that nobody has a stress-free job, really. And having worked blue-collar jobs, those certainly aren't stress-free either just because they're clock-in, clock-out. Just saying.

[WorkInProgress]

Personally my passion, the thing I most want to do with my life is be a great wife and mother. Some may not call that a career, and I won't make any money doing it, but it is my main passion.

It's certainly a vocation.

[cheshrcarol]

I don't agree with this. I think that a career SHOULD be your passion, and if it's not, you owe it to yourself to go back to the drawing board and figure out what is and how to do it. Nobody should have to spend their lives devoting themselves to a profession that they can tolerate and maybe enjoy. It's just not possible in everyone's case to make a living at what you have a passion for. I'd also like to point out that Paul doesn't even know what his passion is. It would be a different story if he said he had a life-long love of music composing (or whatever) and didn't know how to make a living at it. I just think he's got things backwards at this point.

[winneythepooh7]

My fiance (hee hee) loves what he does, and it's his passion, however, at the same time, the amount of hours he has to work and the problems it causes in his personal life, and just his overall health and stability, have begun to outweigh the pros. He is seriously starting to think about a year-long plan now to GET OUT of doing what he does and just do a regular every-day type of Joe Schmo job, still related to what he loves to do, but not so draining and life consuming.

[wordsmith]

Hey, I'm not disagreeing with that (although I also can't personally identify with not knowing what my passions are, it's always been pretty straightforward for me).

Seriously, not to quibble, but I can't think of that many passions that a person could have that there's absolutely no way to make marketable. I consider myself to be a fairly creative, outside-the-box thinkier, but I do believe that you can market pretty much any passion if you really want to.

[lonestar]

My passion was to play in the NBA but I am only 5'8" and am not so adept at basketball so I guess that's out of the question.

[WorkInProgress]

Seriously, not to quibble, but I can't think of that many passions that a person could have that there's absolutely no way to make marketable. I consider myself to be a fairly creative, outside-the-box thinkier, but I do believe that you can market pretty much any passion if you really want to.

I tend to agree that there are few passions that absolutely cannot be marketed. However, how lucrative that market is, how stressful trying to market the skill/passion, the toll on other aspects of life, etc. are all considerations to undertand. I think those considerations make pursuing one's passions for a living untenable sometimes. But you are right: not always, and not for everyone.

[wordsmith]

My passion was to play in the NBA but I am only 5'8" and am not so adept at basketball so I guess that's out of the question.

But, this being the case, you could still do something relating to basketball if you wanted to.

My brother would have loved to be a MLB baseball player, and although an outstanding outfielder and collegiate record-breaker, he was too small in stature to be seriously scouted (ironically, as opposed to his twin brother, a pitcher who was heavily scouted, and had no real aspirations to go pro). So he is now a collegiate coach (conference coach of the year, in his first year, no less), and is living out his passion that way.

[Trillian42]

Hey, I'm not disagreeing with that (although I also can't personally identify with not knowing what my passions are, it's always been pretty straightforward for me).

Seriously, not to quibble, but I can't think of that many passions that a person could have that there's absolutely no way to make marketable. I consider myself to be a fairly creative, outside-the-box thinkier, but I do believe that you can market pretty much any passion if you really want to.

I agree that you can make almost any passion marketable. But for some people, once they make their passions "marketable" they lose their value. For example, someone said their passion is volunteering, which also happens to be one of mine, and as soon as you make that "marketable", you've lost the whole point - giving your time/effort to help others and expecting no monetary reward.

I must say that I admire and am a little jealous of people who are happy doing their job because it is their passion. I'm just putting my foot down to people who tell me it should be that way for everyone, because the harder I try for that, the more dissatisfied I become with my life. It's not that I won't keep looking for a job that moves me forward in my life either emotionally or financially, I'm just going to stop killing myself trying to do it!

[Tenshi28]

I guess you're right that, if there's something you really like and you really want to, then you can turn it into what you make for a living.

Still, there are plenty of us who find pretty damn hard to figure out what is it we want to do that fulfills us.

[lonestar]

no..my only passion was to play professionally...not coach or write about it. Also, I wanted to be a fighter pilot but my eyes are crappy and the military won'y let me fly...so I ran out of passions...as I said before, I would hate to make music a living for me...it would spoil it. I enjoy it as an avocation, not a vocation.

Actually, being the President of United States is something I could be passionate about, but I don't have alot of cash to run with (I think I need more than just a few grand in savings and a shitbox car)...plus, I don't have the qualifications.

[wordsmith]

no..my only passion was to play professionally...not coach or write about it. Also, I wanted to be a fighter pilot but my eyes are crappy and the military won'y let me fly...so I ran out of passions...as I said before, I would hate to make music a living for me...it would spoil it. I enjoy it as an avocation, not a vocation.


I guess I just have more flexible passions. Makes it easier to make them reality.

[Tenshi28]

I must say that I admire and am a little jealous of people who are happy doing their job because it is their passion. I'm just putting my foot down to people who tell me it should be that way for everyone, because the harder I try for that, the more dissatisfied I become with my life. It's not that I won't keep looking for a job that moves me forward in my life either emotionally or financially, I'm just going to stop killing myself trying to do it!


I am exactly the same way, and I am starting to resign myself to the fact that, for some people like me, work is probably never going to be fulfilling and satisfying.

[Trillian42]

I am exactly the same way, and I am starting to resign myself to the fact that, for some people like me, work is probably never going to be fulfilling and satisfying.

Exactly! and let me be the first to tell you - that's okay! IMO, fulfill and satisfy your life in other ways. :huge:

[winneythepooh7]

What about those people who are like 40+ years old and still a struggling artist/actor/whatever who barely make ends meet? I know it's putting the rain on their parade, but isn't there some point where you have to be like, well, I need to just get a job and put this "passion" on the back burner for now?

[wordsmith]

It probably just depends on your priorities. Do what your passions are as long as it's making you happy. I'd imagine that, if at some point, you're no longer happy doing it because you're not making enough at it to keep you happy, the passion will have faded anyway, and you're not going to be miserable leaving it behind.

[Tenshi28]

Exactly! and let me be the first to tell you - that's okay! IMO, fulfill and satisfy your life in other ways. :huge:

That's exactly what I do, but you spend so many hours at work that there's no way that it's not going to affect the rest of your time.

Me, for example, right now it's 6pm here, time to leave, but I gotta stay overtime. By the time I get home I'll probably be so annoyed by this that I won't enjoy my time as much as I should, and that sucks.

[disillusion]

I'm not a great actor either. "Faking it" is not a talent of mine. I'm not sure how to do that either.

I'm just an honest, sincere person; there just seems to be no career place for honest people anymore. Anytime I try to lie, I get caught, so I gave up trying.

I've always tried to impart how my skills would be beneficial in cover letters; apparently, I'm not doing that right either.

Paul

Paul, I finally got a call for an interview for case manager position. What is so surprising is that in my cover letter, I stated that my experience fit the position "beyond comparison". And since the ad said at least an AS degree was required I stated that "Gaining a bachelors degree in Sociology was the best way to gain the skills necessary..." I was actually being blunt out of total frustration and assumed they would think I was crazy. Apparently not.

[PenforPrez]

Since I don't know you my only impression is that you are lazy and don't want to work hard to find a job ANY FRICKING JOB to pay your mounting bills. You clearly need your parents to stop supporting you in every way in order to light a fire under your ass and make you DO SOMETHING about finding ANY JOB that pays your bills.

I'm not exactly lazy; I'm none too happy being broke and unemployed and stuck at home. Look at my "Applications" post I've been updating to see what I've been doing. One problem I'm solving was I've never had a rhythm to things; now I'm finding that.

PLEASE stop your whinning and MAKE SOME PROGRESS...if it helps I can send you a copy of my cover letter which for some reason people actually read and I have a 90% rate of getting an interview from between that and my resume. You can't use it clearly since my skills and experience vary greatly from yours but it might give you some ideas...

I really could use cover letter help; please PM me about that. I'm not happy with how mine turn out; they sound very artificial, I think. :(

I've made a lot of progress in the last couple of weeks by trying little things. I've been calling employers and asking questions; I used to never do that out of some silly worry. I got a cell phone partially so I would be less afraid to call people. It's helping. :)

It's just not possible in everyone's case to make a living at what you have a passion for. I'd also like to point out that Paul doesn't even know what his passion is. It would be a different story if he said he had a life-long love of music composing (or whatever) and didn't know how to make a living at it. I just think he's got things backwards at this point.

I was analyzing why I was so upset when I started this thread. I came to the thought that I just don't have any career or life goals; no light at the end of the tunnel basically. I simply thought if I could establish some career goal, maybe it would help my confidence. I don't think it unreasonable to try to establish a longer-term goal.

My immediate goal is the same: Save enough money at a job to move away from home. That's been my goal for more than a year, and I'm nowhere close to it. I've kept most of my bills paid up to now; I've got very little debt due to getting all my high interest debt paid off.

Paul

[and1grad]

For those of you that have no passion about what you do, why do you do it? What gets you up in the morning, knowing that if your day doesnt COMPLETELY suck, thats an accomplishment? How can you be good at a job you have utterly no feeling about? How many of you would leave your job over something as simple as "the boss said something to me and I didnt like it" or "my favorite coworker is leaving" or some other minimal complaint? If you cant find any passion or even meaning in what you do, you're setting yourself for years of misery. I cant even IMAGINE spending the bulk of my life, which make no mistake is what your job is, doing something that I have no passion for and is utterly meaningless to me. What the hell would I have went to school for...if it werent to find something I find meaning in, am passionate about, and could see myself doing for years w/o wanting to jump off a ledge? I bet if you had a 100 people who were dissatisfied with their job, about 90 of them would be cases where it was just a job to them.

[wordsmith]

If you cant find any passion or even meaning in what you do, you're setting yourself for years of misery. I cant even IMAGINE spending the bulk of my life, which make no mistake is what your job is, doing something that I have no passion for and is utterly meaningless to me. What the hell would I have went to school for...if it werent to find something I find meaning in, am passionate about, and could see myself doing for years w/o wanting to jump off a ledge? I bet if you had a 100 people who were dissatisfied with their job, about 90 of them would be cases where it was just a job to them.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you, for articulating this better than I.
:)

[PenforPrez]

Paul, I finally got a call for an interview for case manager position. What is so surprising is that in my cover letter, I stated that my experience fit the position "beyond comparison". And since the ad said at least an AS degree was required I stated that "Gaining a bachelors degree in Sociology was the best way to gain the skills necessary..." I was actually being blunt out of total frustration and assumed they would think I was crazy. Apparently not.

Good job! :)

That is very blunt, and I've found there are people who respect that. I like that "beyond comparison" part; is it alright if I use that??

Paul

[PenforPrez]

If you cant find any passion or even meaning in what you do, you're setting yourself for years of misery. I cant even IMAGINE spending the bulk of my life, which make no mistake is what your job is, doing something that I have no passion for and is utterly meaningless to me.

What I'm wanting to avoid is the far extreme of that: the anger and rage I experienced at Wal-Mart. I got so angry so often that I got to where I was afraid of myself. That's not good. :sad:

I don't want to wind up stuck in another place where I don't want to be long-term, with no way up or out. And I CERTAINLY don't want to be enraged again. :frustrate

Paul

[wordsmith]

Paul, what exactly made you so enraged?

[Trillian42]

For those of you that have no passion about what you do, why do you do it? What gets you up in the morning, knowing that if your day doesnt COMPLETELY suck, thats an accomplishment? How can you be good at a job you have utterly no feeling about? ...

I may be one of those you percieve as having "no passion about what you do". I would agree that I have no passion for my job, I do not wake up every morning and think "oh boy, I get to go to work today!" But that does not mean it completely sucks, is meaningless, and I have utterly no feeling about it. People think this is a black and white issue - if you do not love your job then you must hate it. For me, I'm in the grey area, I enjoy being around my coworkers, I like being a productive part of my company, and I like the pay and benefits. If any of those three things were not true I would find a new job.

As for why do I do it if I'm not passionate about it, simple - I have a standard of living for myself including living in a house, having food and clothing, and being able to travel, something I am pasionate about (but would not want to make a career out of). Those things require money, which requires me to have a job.

At my first job right out of college I used to put in a lot of overtime, granted it was paid overtime, and the more I did, the more they expected. Until I realized I was spending so much time at work, I did not have time for my passions - traveling, volunteering, personal life with friends and family. So now I work where I only put in overtime when absolutely necessary and I get more personal time off when we are not so busy to make up for it. I think job satisfaction does not always mean you have to be passionate about what you do. It can mean you are happy with how you do it and/or the environment you are in.

[PenforPrez]

Paul, what exactly made you so enraged?

Stuck at a low-wage two-bit retail job. Constantly denied promotion. No luck in finding a real job. No goals and no clue. Over a long period of time without let up. I needed therapy then, but I didn't have the means of getting it. It might have helped then. :sad:

Paul

[lonestar]

For those of you that have no passion about what you do, why do you do it? What gets you up in the morning, knowing that if your day doesnt COMPLETELY suck, thats an accomplishment? How can you be good at a job you have utterly no feeling about? How many of you would leave your job over something as simple as "the boss said something to me and I didnt like it" or "my favorite coworker is leaving" or some other minimal complaint? If you cant find any passion or even meaning in what you do, you're setting yourself for years of misery. I cant even IMAGINE spending the bulk of my life, which make no mistake is what your job is, doing something that I have no passion for and is utterly meaningless to me. What the hell would I have went to school for...if it werent to find something I find meaning in, am passionate about, and could see myself doing for years w/o wanting to jump off a ledge? I bet if you had a 100 people who were dissatisfied with their job, about 90 of them would be cases where it was just a job to them.

my passions are simple things like going to the park, or sleeping in on saturdays or watching my favorite tv programs, playing video games, or listening to my favorite records and smoking the occasional j. If I am a garbage man or a CEO of a company doesn't affect how I enjoy my passions...let's face I am not going to be that passionate about anything I do between Monday and Friday...what I do on those days gets me to saturday and sunday and retirement.

I don't want to save the world or anything like that...I just wanna do my time at work, come home and enjoy the non-work part of my life...

[disillusion]

Sure Paul :)

and to address the rant above some people cannot find any passion when the ultimate goal of everything they are forced to do is money. But what are we supposed to do, suck up your tax dollars in unemployment and welfare? I find complaining on a message board far less a burden on society, this way if you don't want to deal with it you can just leave the thread. With no cost to you :)

[Trillian42]

I don't want to save the world or anything like that...I just wanna do my time at work, come home and enjoy the non-work part of my life...

HA...I hope you don't mind if I quote you on that for my signature - couldn't have said it better myself! ;):

[PenforPrez]

Sure Paul :)

Didn't want to plagarize that line at all. ;)

I have a history degree; I have to watch that more than anybody else. :huge:

Paul

[and1grad]

Sure Paul :)

and to address the rant above some people cannot find any passion when the ultimate goal of everything they are forced to do is money. But what are we supposed to do, suck up your tax dollars in unemployment and welfare? I find complaining on a message board far less a burden on society, this way if you don't want to deal with it you can just leave the thread. With no cost to you :)
Are you telling me to leave the thread? Is not being on welfare in any way a serious argument? What next, dreams of playing basketball but you're too short and have no talent for the game? Lets attempt to skip the absurdities, shall we? It wont cost you anything..and it'll "save" us all some time.

Anyway, all I'm hearing is that people dont care what they do as long as it gets them a paycheck. If thats all that matters to you, good for you. I guess some of us prefer to actually have meaning in what we do. Its not for everyone.

[lonestar]

yeah but you come off as a bit elitist when you tell us peons who work for money that we are somehow worse off...

Also, once people have kids it changes everything...then your passion becomes your child, and you work for him/her...(so I have been told)...

[and1grad]

yeah but you come off as a bit elitist when you tell us peons who work for money that we are somehow worse off...
Elitist? I never called anyone peon but ok. I think you ARE worse off. You can do ANY job if all you care about is the bottom line. The only guiding factor is the actual ability to GET the job. That doesnt sound like much of a standard to me.

[disillusion]

and I thought I had problems

[lonestar]

see the thing is I am a decent musician, and I guess you could call piano playing one of my passions, and I could probably make a living on it, but then I would hate it...I have tried before, and rushing to gigs, playing crap requests, ect. is not my idea of a fun time.

So I work for money and my passion I do on my own time...

[disillusion]

the guys at my studio always say doing their music for money would be like making their wives work the street.

[lonestar]

Elitist? I never called anyone peon but ok. I think you ARE worse off. You can do ANY job if all you care about is the bottom line. The only guiding factor is the actual ability to GET the job. That doesnt sound like much of a standard to me.

Yeah that's what I work for: getting the next best job...because I know that if I want to own a house and (maybe) have a family, I know I gotta work it that way...I am not saying that I hate my job...it okay, but its a job like any other - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, most of the time its somewhere in between.

[lonestar]

the guys at my studio always say doing their music for money would be like making their wives work the street.

Yeah its totally not fun whoring out as an artist...I'd rather enjoy it for myself...

[wordsmith]

Hah! You REALLY wanna talk elitist?

Who's the one saying, "I'd never want to use my passions to earn a living, because commerce would corrupt my art!!" "Whoring out" by turning your craft into something that pays, combining doing things you love with a way to pay your bills? Not too elitist, there... :googly: It's only possible to be creative and artistic if you're tortured, eh? If you get paid, it's not artistic, anymore?

Shit, I love to write...writing for a newspaper and getting a paycheck for it sure hasn't hindered my love or ability one ounce. I can't really say I feel like a huge whore, either.

I question how much of a passion something really is, if getting paid to do it would make you hate it. Those to me are the words of somebody who's bought into the idea that if you call something work, it's gotta suck. And if that's the case, I'm with and1 and I think you're worse off, as well.

[wordsmith]

Yeah that's what I work for: getting the next best job...because I know that if I want to own a house and (maybe) have a family, I know I gotta work it that way...I am not saying that I hate my job...it okay, but its a job like any other - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, most of the time its somewhere in between.

Right, because people who do what they love are all out living in pup tents on roadsides somewhere.

Dude, you post all the time about how much you hate your life, how much of an embarrassment your family considers your job, lifestyle, etc. to be, etc. You probably WOULD follow your dreams if you thought your family would accept you doing so. That's really the bottom line.

[lonestar]

I may be miserable in a job, but I am also miserable being poor...so I will take the bad job. Also, you have to consider that there are very few jobs in America that anyone is "miserable" doing...jobs, like life follow this pattern:

ussually one long bore punctuated by small moments of happiness and disapointment.

So, WTF does it matter what you do between 9 and 5...why does it always have to be "do something you really love"...bullshit...do something that will help provide for those little moments of happiness every couple of days.

[disillusion]

um, don't want to get in the middle of anything here...

it's really great that you have a job where you don't feel like your commercializing your passion. But it seems like that's a relatively hard thing to find.

Maybe the line is just in a different place depending on the person

[wordsmith]

Also, you have to consider that there are very few jobs in America that anyone is "miserable" doing...jobs, like life follow this pattern:

ussually one long bore punctuated by small moments of happiness and disapointment.

So, WTF does it matter what you do?

Seriously, millions of people slogging through troughs of animal blood daily in meat processing plants, sanitation workers dealing with pipes of sewage, wiping the shit out of elderly people's asses in nursing homes might disagree with you that there are very few jobs that anybody in America is "miserable" doing. "Miserable" is kinda subjective, don't you think?

I don't really think life IS a long bore punctuated by small moments of happiness and disapointment, at all, myself, nor do I see it as an inevitability in a job setting. Maybe herein lies the disconnect, and why I don't understand where you're coming from.

[and1grad]

Maybe that IS the disconnect. I dont have such a pessimistic view of life either. Maybe that changes what's worth it for some.

[Trillian42]

Elitist? I never called anyone peon but ok. I think you ARE worse off. You can do ANY job if all you care about is the bottom line. The only guiding factor is the actual ability to GET the job. That doesnt sound like much of a standard to me.

Um, I don't see how this makes us worse off? Why is it low standards to be flexable in the work you will do in order to make a higher paid living? Is it just hard for you to grasp the concept that some people are okay with doing a job simply because it needs to be done, they have the skills to do it, and it pays well enough?

[winneythepooh7]

I think people whose main driving force for employment is money, will never understand people who work at jobs they enjoy, even if it means sacrificing a high paying salary.

[lonestar]

And what happened to hobbies...isn't doing what you love is what hobbies are for? Imagine...people expecting to get paid for something they "love" to do! It seems like such an American mentality. I love a lot of things but I probably won't make much money doing them...I don't love accounting, but it seems like an okay job to me...

I have said this before, but I think it is true:

You're not supposed to love work. That's why they call it WORK.

[PenforPrez]

Also, you have to consider that there are very few jobs in America that anyone is "miserable" doing...jobs, like life follow this pattern:

ussually one long bore punctuated by small moments of happiness and disapointment.

A very Hobbsean thought, that. "Life is nasty, brutish, and short."

I've veered between both extremes of that question in my life. Anymore, I don't know the answer.

Paul

[WorkInProgress]

I think this is an "we agree to disagree" issue, where neither side is wrong, in the abstract (but where one decision or the other may be wrong for a particular individual), and everyone's situation is different because of any number of considerations.

[wordsmith]

I think people whose main driving force for employment is money, will never understand people who work at jobs they enjoy, even if it means sacrificing a high paying salary.

I think the more amazing thing is the denial that there DOES need to be a balance...yes, you will grow to hate even a job you love if it pays you so little that you're worried about eviction notices, foreclosures, repossession, bankruptcy, utility shutoff, etc. And, yes, you will grow to hate your life if you spend 40-plus hours of every week until you retire or die doing things you find unfulfilling and distasteful, regardless of what they pay.

People work for money to live on AND for enjoyment and satisfaction. You can't minimize either end of the equation. You can't say that one can be entirely sacrificed for the other. That's ridiculous talk.

[lonestar]

I think people whose main driving force for employment is money, will never understand people who work at jobs they enjoy, even if it means sacrificing a high paying salary.

I can see if you have a passion for helping people, being a social worker is rewarding. But the problem I have is the implication that people who have passions/pleasures that are "smaller in scale" (ie. the occasional cigarette, a cookie, a good record, a tv show) are somehow less well off because they don't have this master plan "road map" to maximizing every minute of job enjoyment.

Also, if you think you're job is just okay, there should be nothing wrong with that...when I ask my dad about this, he told me he hated being a lawyer...but it brought in a good living for his kids, ect...so he did it anyway. And I respect that a lot...

[embrassezla]

i will never make money from my true passion, which is working with animals. not that i couldn't make money doing that, but i don't think it would be right. unfortunately, there aren't many [paying] positions that help animals without exploiting them in some way.

i would love to open a store, maybe an organic pet food store(which i don't have a moral problem with), but that takes a lot of capital and can fail miserably. i'm probably going to end up doing what i do now, which i don't love (or hate), for most of my life, and pursue my passion(s) in my spare time. i don't think there's anything wrong with that. unfortunate, maybe, but not wrong.

[Trillian42]

I think people whose main driving force for employment is money, will never understand people who work at jobs they enjoy, even if it means sacrificing a high paying salary.

Well, can you understand people "whose main driving force for employment is money"?

As a side not I've already said (see earlier post) that I admire people who can combine their passion and work. It's just not something everyone has to or can do.

[wordsmith]

Trillian, lonestar, disillusion, any of you on that "side" of the discussion...question for you:

What do you think about the assertion, which has been made in earlier threads, that people who incorporate personal passions into their professional life are as a rule happier people than those who don't?

[winneythepooh7]

Hey, it's been my experience (including on the board in the past) as well as in real life, that people in high paying professions look down their noses at me AND the people I work with because I don't make a lot of $$$$ (and because they feel the people I work with suck money away from them).

[lonestar]

if you can figure out a way to do it, you are lucky...perhaps one in a million. But like everything else in life, don't count on it...

A good movie to see about this is "The Good Girl" with Jennifer Aniston...it deals with a similar message about the feelings of losing oneself in the doldrums of a workaday job.

[embrassezla]

i guess the question i struggle with is this:

would i be happier if i did something i LOVED for 8hrs a day for very little pay (say, too little to support my current lifestyle which includes owning a home with nice furnishings, being able to afford to go to nice restaurants and buy nice things, go on trips, etc)

or if i did something meaningless for 8hrs a day, but made enough to support my current lifestyle?

i don't know the answer to this. like was said earlier, my passions include my pets (which would be difficult to care for with very little money), my house, travelling, and other things that take money to be able to afford.

[and1grad]

Um, I don't see how this makes us worse off? Why is it low standards to be flexable in the work you will do in order to make a higher paid living? Is it just hard for you to grasp the concept that some people are okay with doing a job simply because it needs to be done, they have the skills to do it, and it pays well enough?
Where in any of my posts have I said anything that RESEMBLED an inability to understand this extremely simple concept? Why is it low standards to just take a job b/c there is one? I guess cuz a good chunk of us went to school in order to not only expand our eligibility pool in jobs but to actually graduate with a degree in something you take interest in. Taking a job just b/c its work doesnt strike you as low standards? Fine. More power to you.

[CTGirl]

I dont think it matters if your job is really making you happy, as long as something is. I look at it like a sort of balance sheet, if your job makes you unhappy, do you fill your life with enough good stuff to cancel it out and leave you feeling happy in the end? Obviously, there will always be unsatisfactory things in your life, so as long as you're left satisfied at the end of the day, it doesnt really matter what made you happy and what didnt.

[Trillian42]

Trillian, lonestar, disillusion, any of you on that "side" of the discussion...question for you:

What do you think about the assertion, which has been made in earlier threads, that people who incorporate personal passions into their professional life are as a rule happier people than those who don't?

Well, I used to believe the only way to be happy was to have I job I love (i.e. was passionate about) because that is what I was lead to believe by other people. But I have come to the conclusion lately that pursuing my passions in my non-work time makes me truly happy. Much happier then trying to spend the rest of my working life believing my life sucks because I can't or haven't found a job that I am really passionate about. I know for some people it is easy to know their passion and how to make a living out of it, but that has never and will never be the case for me.

[wordsmith]

Also, if you think you're job is just okay, there should be nothing wrong with that...when I ask my dad about this, he told me he hated being a lawyer...but it brought in a good living for his kids, ect...so he did it anyway. And I respect that a lot...

But...wait a minute.

Before you saint your dad for being a huge martyr, and taking on a lucrative law career he doesn't enjoy, and grant him your undying respect for doing so, look for a minute at how he treats you, from what you've posted...

Not exactly the sign of a happy, well-adjusted person. And that's what you sacrifice, when you sign onto something you detest, for life...you sign up for a future of resentment, anger, misery, discontent...of ripping on your kid all the time and making him feel like the biggest failure in the world and unable to please you in any way. I'm sorry...where's the quality of life, there? Maybe part of the reason your dad is so unnecessarily harsh toward you is because he's possibly bitter about the concept of anybody actually liking what they do, finding or following a passion...because he made the choice to do something he hated. Food for thought is all...

[Trillian42]

Where in any of my posts have I said anything that RESEMBLED an inability to understand this extremely simple concept? Why is it low standards to just take a job b/c there is one? I guess cuz a good chunk of us went to school in order to not only expand our eligibility pool in jobs but to actually graduate with a degree in something you take interest in. Taking a job just b/c its work doesnt strike you as low standards? Fine. More power to you.

In my defense, I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, something I was interested in - math and science, but not something I would say I'm passionate about.

[and1grad]

In my defense, I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, something I was interested in - math and science, but not something I would say I'm passionate about.
Ok. So what ARE you passionate about? And dont give me the hobby stuff people keep saying. We're obviously talking professions here. Every physical science has math. Why'd you choose engineering? Why electrical? There isnt some reason beyond interest in math and science?

[PenforPrez]

Let me interject a thought here. I was just listening to one of my favorite songs, and the lines seem to fit here. I just wanted to throw out a few lines; hope this helps clear up anybody's confusion. It helps me on this question.

People ask me why I like sad old country songs; this is why. Helps me understand things. :)

Everybody's looking for some way in; I'm looking for some way out
I've been wasting my time standing in line if this is what it's all about
All I've got is a job that I don't like and a woman that don't understand
So tonight at the bar, I'll get in my car, and take off for the promised land

Drinking and dreaming, knowing damn well I can't go
I'll never see Texas, L.A. or old Mexico
But here at this table, I'm able to leave it behind
Drink till I'm dreaming, a thousand miles out of my mind

Waylon Jennings -- "Drinking and Dreaming"

Paul

[embrassezla]

I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, something I was interested in - math and science, but not something I would say I'm passionate about.
bin-freakin'-go.

[cheshrcarol]

I guess I opened up a can of worms earlier. Speaking just for myself, I never meant to imply that everyone should go through life hating their jobs. I think it is really important to like where you spend the majority of your waking hours. But I think it's a luxury to be able to say "well, I haven't found my real passion yet, so I'm not going to work a job to pay the bills".

I also think you can like your job and enjoy what you do without it being your passion. For example, my mom is accountant with the IRS. Accounting is not her passion, but she really likes her job. Music is her passion and she does play professionally, but no where near enough to live on. Making a living as a classical musician is an extremely tough life and only the best of the best make it. And although she is one of the best in the area, she just does not have the ability to play in a 1st rate symphony. And it's performance that she loves, teaching students wouldn't really be the same.

She really does get the best of both worlds, and I think that for those of us that either don't have a passion or can't make our passions translate into a career, need to find that balance.

[Trillian42]

Ok. So what ARE you passionate about? And dont give me the hobby stuff people keep saying. We're obviously talking professions here. Every physical science has math. Why'd you choose engineering? Why electrical? There isnt some reason beyond interest in math and science?

I'm not sure I have a profession that I am passionate about, at least I haven't come accross one yet. I used to think it was Veterinary science. I was actually taking classes online while working 40+ hours as an engineer. I also volunteered at a clinic every Saturday, which lead me to the conclusion I did not want to go in that direction, although it was something I enjoy so I don't take the classes anymore, I do still volunteer every other Saturday. The main reason for this is I realized I could not make enough money to do/have the things I want. So, I guess I made it a hobby.

Quite honestly, the reason I choose electrical engineering specifically is that is what my dad does, and it seemed interesting. Would I maybe be able to be passionate about some other sceince field? Possibly, but I would have to be in the field before I would know.

[wordsmith]

But I think it's a luxury to be able to say "well, I haven't found my real passion yet, so I'm not going to work a job to pay the bills".

This, I VERY much agree with. Using "I haven't found my passion" as an excuse not to earn a living in the meantime is definitely a luxury that most people don't have.

[lonestar]

I find it interesting that you mock my passion, and1grad, to play in the NBA but anyone else who has a passion you say Bravo!, go get 'em! Do you think tax accountants thought, when they were children: "I really want to be a tax accountant when I grow up". Or hedge fund managers, investment bankers, ect. It's just that some of us a career is only a part of our lives...that's the big thing I am starting to see as I try and separate from my family's bullshit...don't always expect happiness, and then when it comes along (as it makes its way every so often), enjoy it that much more.

[wordsmith]

I find it interesting that you mock my passion, and1grad, to play in the NBA but anyone else who has a passion you say Bravo!, go get 'em!

Believe me, I think and1 would be the LAST person to treat somebody's athletic aspirations harshly...but he may be doubting that you actually HAD serious aspirations, versus an avid interest, based on your admission that you weren't up to it, ability-wise or physically. Just a speculation.

Do you think tax accountants thought, when they were children: "I really want to be a tax accountant when I grow up".

I can't personally envision it, but some do. One of my good friends is a CPA, and honestly is thrilled with it and DID always want to do it (as well as play football as long as he could, which for him was college). I can't imagine number-crunching bringing anybody that kind of joy, but it suits him and he finds it pretty fulfilling. He also can't imagine how I can possibly enjoy writing stories week in and week out, so there you go. And if he's honesly thrilled to be doing what he loves doing, that's the main thing.

[lonestar]

I will say that I think accounting is a decent profession, and I think it is pretty good so far, and will probably end up doing it long-term. I look at my brother, who is in the Marines, and though they give him a lot of good deals on stuff (apt. allowance and car allowances, ect.) I would say that it probably wasn't his passion to be a soldier...particualarly since he hates war and violence. But people make decisions at the margin...its a matter of opportunity costs and marginal benefit...there is some benefit for him to be in the service or else he wouldn't be there. People make comprimises in life all the time...its just what you have to do...

[lonestar]

And as for being elitist as an musician, I don't think I am...I just don't like playing for other people. I enjoy my talent all to myself and really like it best that way...so playing for $ really is not my idea of fun.

[wordsmith]

People make comprimises in life all the time...its just what you have to do...

Of course you do. Instead of writing a novel full-time, I'm writing newspaper stories, because it's a steady paycheck. That's a compromise, and one I'm willing to make. Working in something unrelated to my passion because it pays more than writing is not a compromise I'm willing to make, though.

You can compromise on details without compromising on the big picture, truth be known.

[PenforPrez]

Music is her passion and she does play professionally, but no where near enough to live on. Making a living as a classical musician is an extremely tough life and only the best of the best make it. And although she is one of the best in the area, she just does not have the ability to play in a 1st rate symphony. And it's performance that she loves, teaching students wouldn't really be the same.

She really does get the best of both worlds, and I think that for those of us that either don't have a passion or can't make our passions translate into a career, need to find that balance.

That's me and my quiz bowl work. If I have a passion anymore, that's it. It is a part time job for me. I do a lot on the circuit. I write questions (and get paid for it!) all year. I'm doing a sort of a marketing project locally that's earned me a little bit of money. I work as many tournaments as I can get in on; no money in that, but it's a LOT of fun. I've got a bigger project I'm about to start now.

But I can't make it a full-time career with the financial stability I want. I don't want to make big bucks; I just want to be modest and comfy and be able to travel a little. I can't have that with my quiz bowl work. But I enjoy it, and I can always do it no matter where I go.

Paul

[red]

i wouldn't say my job is my passion and i don't get paid a lot of money :-( i got into this profession thinking it was, and it's not like i work for some junky old company anymore. i just don't see books the same way that i used to. i mean, my job is ok, but i have other things i am passionate about- my husband, my dog, family, running, snowboarding, cooking, etc. the balance sheet seems to work out for me.

i guess if i had it to do again, i would have done something more practical and lucrative, and kept reading as a hobby. by working in the industry, i have lost my love for books and who knows if i will get it back again. i dunno, maybe i just have a bad attitude. that is entirely possible.

[flesh_gordon]

by working in the industry, i have lost my love for books and who knows if i will get it back again. i dunno, maybe i just have a bad attitude. that is entirely possible.

If your significant other loves to play videogames, get them a job as a tester. Guaranteed in six months, they won't want to touch a PS 2/Xbox. I've been doing it for over 2 years now, I used to play games ALL DAY LONG. The only use my system gets now is to play movies.

[Winter Storm]

Sorry for coming in all late and not having read the whole thread but I feel like this: You don't go looking for passions, they just naturally come to you while you are doing things. Ya know, like things you like? It's just something that you naturally take interest in enough to spend a good amount of time doing.

I've never heard of anyone trying to find one. They usually find you.

[yankeeyosh]

My passions are hurricanes and statistics. I am teased at my current job because even though there is a TON of stuff I can do with hurricanes and statistics, the corporation will not allow me to do it, and hence, I am stuck doing something I have absolutely no passion for.

[Sparkleyes]

Are you telling me to leave the thread? Is not being on welfare in any way a serious argument? What next, dreams of playing basketball but you're too short and have no talent for the game? Lets attempt to skip the absurdities, shall we? It wont cost you anything..and it'll "save" us all some time.

Anyway, all I'm hearing is that people dont care what they do as long as it gets them a paycheck. If thats all that matters to you, good for you. I guess some of us prefer to actually have meaning in what we do. Its not for everyone.


Ok, so let me throw this point out to you all. I am at the point where I need to do whatever I can to get money. Here's the situation. I have a 4 year degree in Psychology. I worked for a nonprofit which, at the beginning, I loved, but then began to despise all the inconsistencies. So, I trudged on, and in my nature, questioned the inconsistencies, and the fact that I was working all but three days in the month of February. Well, after a raving review, a modest wage increase, initiating a few key changes to help the organization, they let me go. Their reason? The job is not a good fit for you. So, I went on unemployment, thinking that oh, I won't have any problem finding a job. Well, here I am 115 resumes and cover letters later, six months later, alomst 25 hours of rewrites of my resume to the point where almost all peers I show it to say "WOW, look at all your experience!" So what gives?! I have tried to avoid just getting a job wherever, because the fact that I am 26 going on 27 and have a 4 year degree, and coursework beyond my undergrad degree. Sometimes, you have to suck it all up, just to get a job to pay the bills!!! And believe me, I don't have many--with the exception of student loans which are in defferrement until I get on my feet again. I would love to have a job in something I am passionate about, something I enjoy doing. But, for right now, I have to settle, while continuing to pursue that career goal. I have tired--115 times and five initial interviews, and I will continue to try. And, rather than take advantage of unemployment (and my funds run out next month) I am going to finally give up and go work where I can get a job--most likely in something that a high school student can be doing. I know some of you may ask why I didn't do that sooner--instead of relying on taxpayers while I sit on my butt for 6 months. The answer is very simple--I have been trying to find a career that offers me stimulation, offers me a challenge, and offers me enjoyment. Of course I know I won't have the best of it all, but I have been willing to stick with it to not have to just settle.

Pen----I have taken quite a few worskshops and have some great resources if you need help with cover letters or resumes or whatever....I can't believe alot of the stuff that I have learned. And, I know its not all BS that they are feeding me at these transition workshops, Minnesota is ranked very high in the nation for offering and providing resources for job search, in fact, a few states have come to MN to utilize parts of their Creative Job Search series. If anyone wants the link for the useful info, I can give it to you!

Ok, thanks for listening to the rant--I don't want this to spark another debate, but felt I needed to get my two cents in because jobs and passions and money and everything that goes along with the debate of this thread is not just black and white and I feel I am very good proof of this!!!

[Tenshi28]

my passions are simple things like going to the park, or sleeping in on saturdays or watching my favorite tv programs, playing video games, or listening to my favorite records and smoking the occasional j. If I am a garbage man or a CEO of a company doesn't affect how I enjoy my passions...let's face I am not going to be that passionate about anything I do between Monday and Friday...what I do on those days gets me to saturday and sunday and retirement.

I don't want to save the world or anything like that...I just wanna do my time at work, come home and enjoy the non-work part of my life...


That's exactly how I live my life.

Is it ideal? no, it's not. Do I wish I could spend all week working in something that keeps me motivated and passionate about? of course I would! but let's face it, for many people that never happens and I am trying to come to terms with that idea, that it probably will never happen to me either, and so I try to go thorugh the worktime the best I can so I can get to my "real life", my wife, my cats, my books and movies and videogames, the little trips I take when I have a chance, etc.

For now that's all there is to it for me, and even though it does depress me to not find a job I love, I am trying really hard not to let that spoil the rest of my life when I am not at work, because that's a real shame. But of course that's easier said than done.

[lonestar]

they call ideals "ideals" because they rarely, if ever, occur...they are situations that you think of, not that happen.

I'd rather stick with reality...I have a job that I am cool with (but not passionate about), and enjoy my extracurriculars too.