Many years ago, before I launched my business as a Career Discovery Coach, a friend of mine said that she had given up looking for a job that she enjoyed. She had tried jobs in several different fields, none of them which made her happy, and didn’t know what she really wanted to do. But her father, well-meaning, I’m sure, had told her that jobs weren’t meant to be enjoyed. They were simply something you did to make a living, to pay the bills and put a roof over your head. So, she was going to give up trying to find work that she enjoyed.
I’ve since lost touch with her, but her statement has haunted me ever since.
A lot of parents say this kind of thing to their kids. Wanting the best for them. Wanting them to be able to support themselves and their families. And a lot of us tell ourselves the same thing. That we can’t make money at the things we really enjoy. That we need to be realistic and pick a career that’s “in demand”.
It’s a sad statistic. 70% of people in the U.S. today say they hate their jobs, according to a recent Gallup poll.
At the same time, Gallup also reports that the amount of time full-time workers spend at their jobs has increased over the past ten years - to an average of 47 hours/week. That’s nearly 6 days/week. And 4 in 10 people report putting in 50+ hours.
Assuming a 40-year career, that’s 90,240 hours, give or take a few thousand.
That’s a lot of time to spend doing something that you hate.
It’s never to late to find work that you love, to find something that adds purpose and meaning to your life. It starts with self-discovery, a deep dive into your passions, skills, abilities and interests. It means discovering the work environment that fits you best, and uncovering the (hidden) limiting beliefs that may be holding you back.
It’s never too late. Sign up for a free Discovery Consultation to learn more.
And Lisa, wherever you are, I hope you’re doing something you love!