I have often said, “If you don’t like your job, change it or change your attitude. Do something about it and stop complaining!”
In today’s culture, it seems almost second nature to complain about your job – though we usually use a different label: “venting.” Many people complain or vent about their workload, they vent about their schedule, they vent about their boss and they especially vent about one or more really annoying coworkers. Many people literally hate their jobs and the fact that they “have” to waste away the prime years of their lives working.
But is that really true? Do you really hate your job? If your answer is yes, then let me ask… why? First, why do you hate your job? And second, if you really hate your job, why do you continue to do it?
I know, I know, we all need income to survive in this world. We can’t just quit working. And I know that switching jobs isn’t the easiest task in the world (believe me, I’ve done it). But honestly, why would you daily endure a job you find no pleasure in? The average American adult will pour a huge chunk of their life into their individual jobs or career. Is that huge chunk of time being wasted and thrown away? Is there no value gained aside from a regular paycheck? I sincerely hope not.
I believe that anyone can and should love their job. Maybe not every minute of every day, but overall, it is possible to love your job. And the secret is not found in landing your dream job – though that would be nice – it’s about adjusting your focus and your attitude.
Take it form Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese artist, poet and philosopher who was born in the late 19th century. In his famous work, The Prophet, Gibran poses the rhetorical question, “And what is it to work with love?” In beautiful prose poetry, Gibran offers an answer to this question – the following is a brief excerpt from his response:
“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.”
What I think Gibran is saying is learn to love your job. He is saying that if you can’t enjoy and find fulfillment in what you do, then it would be better that you do nothing and become a beggar! Now I’m obviously not encouraging panhandling – I’m suggesting that you reevaluate your current job or career, and determine whether or not you can truly devote and engage yourself and find enjoyment and fulfillment. If you realize you can’t, then it’s time to make a change – and the sooner the better.
You should be able to define your work as a visible product of your personal passion. That would be a dream job. But when you’re thinking about the product of your own individual work, make sure you’re focused on the right things. For example, let’s say you work for a company that makes boxes. I’m willing to bet you’re not passionate about boxes. But maybe you’re passionate about quality products that meet the needs of customers and exceed expectations. Maybe you’re passionate about being a part of a team that is cohesive and encouraging and creates a positive work environment. Those passions could be revealed through your work at the box company.
As long as your company is creating significant value, what it does or makes doesn’t necessarily matter. What matters is how you view your role and responsibilities within that organization.
Are you living out your passions? As Kahlil Gibran said, “Work is love made visible.” I hope that your work makes your love and passion visible. If it doesn’t, make a change – the sooner the better!
Are you living out your passion? If not, what do you need to change to do so? Leave a comment below!
