I don’t think I ever truly loved a job (maybe certain aspects) until later on in my career. And even then, the love only came when I started to work for myself. It’s hard to know what a job is — or even who you are yet in the work world — until you try things on for size. And I did a LOT of that!
Oh I know there are people who love their jobs who somehow seem to have found the right spot on day one. But some of them actually landed first and then made the job — and where it led them to — work for them. Many times, jobs can change shape (morph) depending on what you do with them.
Now I know not every job can magically turn into a dream job. And not everyone who wants to can work for themselves. At least not right off. If I hadn’t picked up experience from “wrong” jobs, I couldn’t have gotten to do things I love years later. At least things that actually pay decent money.
So is it too late for you?
Jealousy is a strange things. It can take on a life of its own. And when you see people who love their jobs, it may even make you feel worse about your own job. The job you don’t love can start to seem like a forever trap..
But it’s never too late as long as you’re not fully retired. (Even then, people find paid and unpaid things they love.) Also, you may be surprised to know that people with jobs they love don’t love every aspect of their job. Sometimes it’s about where to focus attention — and how much attention you pay to what’s not working for you.
⇒ Fed Up With Things My Job Doesn’t Have!
Many times a job has potential to offer more things we’d truly enjoy. And folks who like their work often know the secret of how to increase the good parts and slowly push away the stuff they hate. and now, returning to the idea of job morphing…
⇒ 20 Ways To Improve Your Job & Career
What you wind up with in a job may depend on how much time and energy you put into those things you like best. And perhaps finding ways to slowly pass on less enjoyable things to someone else. Your attitude toward the job and what it can be — rather than what it isn’t — can make all the difference. Oh … and don’t forget to include some handy-dandy internal networking!
But not all jobs are lovable!
All that said, I know there are awful jobs. Ones that you could spend a lifetime trying to love and just won’t get there. And if you have given your job a chance to start to work better for you — or to become a key stepping stone to something you might love — then don’t just settle for “oh well jobs suck for me” and give up.
It may not happen in one try. In fact, odds are that it won’t. And that’s okay. But the alternative is so dreary and powerless, you may as well give it a try. True … you might need to dig in where you are for a while as you move step-by-step to a job you could love … or at least toward a job with aspects you’d enjoy enough to actually look forward to your work days.
But starting today you can choose — and that’s a step that is not powerless — to set your sights on giving yourself more out of work … and life. And the first step is simply deciding you deserve to have that. Then each and every day start building toward that vision. One where you don’t need to be jealous of anyone!
Some posts to help
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable
Feel You Wasted Your Life in a Meaningless Job?
Bad Career Moves: Aiming for Careers That Don’t Work!
Career Goals: Put Small Steps to Work on Big Goals!
The Non-Linear Path to Happiness at Work
What Makes a Job Good?
Start Building Networking Connections That Last!
What If You Never Find Your Dream Job?
7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs
Daring To Imagine a Different Life!
What If It Takes a While To Find Your Career?
Niche Careers: Creating a Career Niche for Yourself
10 Two-Letter Words To Motivate Yourself
Why “Work Hard” Does Not Equal Success
Permission To Believe In Yourself (with Certificate)
⇒ EXTRA: Want To Career Coach Yourself? How To Get You Started
Add your thoughts!