Should people learn to love what they do or learn to do what they love?

[Illumination]

This is something that I've been pondering.

Should people learn to love what they do or learn to do what they love?

Some people think of quitting their jobs and going for their "dream". But many end up poorer or unfulfilled. Of course there are those who "lived happily ever after".

On the other side of the coin, there are people who get a job out of necessity. While some remain unfulfilled and disgruntled about their day jobs, there are others who excelled in them despite not having passion for it in the first place. They gain recognition, earn respect and build their dignity as a result of their perseverance and diligence.

I would want to tell people to do what they love. To do whatever it takes to pursue their dream. But this thought makes me wonder if that is right.

What do you think? Should people learn to love what they do or learn to do what they love?

[Trezker]

Both, I guess.

First learn unconditional love for everything. Then move towards doing what you like most.

[supertom]

i tink if your good enough at anything your'll enjoy it, you can choose whatever path you want

[striving4peace]

Supertom is right - to an extent. I like what I currently do because I became good at it - and I got into it to make ends meet. But I'd still love to do something else like music or art. I think the japanese have something called "riding the turtle" - actually it applies to working full time as an employee while starting your own business. But I apply the paradigm even to non entrepreneurial stuff: work at a day job and at night, or on weekends work on the other stuff. Yes, it gives the false sense of security to still be employed, but for short term planning it is good advice to "not quit your day job just yet"

[jtracy]

I agree with Trezker. The best thing to do is to learn to be happy with the situation you are in now, and then decide whether you want to stick with it for whatever reasons or go and try something different. I have read that the best way to make money is through doing something you love, and that makes a lot of sense to me. Supertom has a point. Usually the things you love to do most are the things you are best at. It would make sense to make a career out of that if you could. If you can't right now, then I would take striving4peace's idea of sticking to your day job (and learning to be happy with it) while doing your "fun" job at nights or weekends until you can figure out how to make it a paying proposition.

[smartile]

Hi Illumination,

I think most people go to work out of obligation; they go to work to pay the bills and that's a terrible reason to go to work.

I think you should go to work for pleasre. Do what you really love to do and then find a way to earn money doing it.

[javed]

This is an excellent question and I have been pondering the same for quite some time.

I have seen good replies above. Just to add

There is good in almost everything. Similarly, there is something nice, something good, something that you love in almost every (decent/legal) profession. If one focuses on that, and then tries to excel in that profession by developing competence and increasing his influence, through character and example, one will start to love that career as well. I have seen people doing it. At the same time, I have seen people failing miserably (financially or emotionally/spiritually or both) in professions that they believed to be their passion.

Somehow, I belive if you are a lightworker, believe in good principles and are willing to work hard, while follwoing the principles (Steve shorlists these as LOVE, TRUTH and POWER) soon your work will become your LOVE, if it is not already.

[ivo]

I believe this is a matter of your personal dreams and desires vs society's expectations of you. There is no right answer to your question. Whether you choose to conform and adjust to the role you are given or challenge the rules and follow your heart's desire is up to you to decide.

[bbdream8]

Originally Posted by Illumination

This is something that I've been pondering.

Should people learn to love what they do or learn to do what they love?

Some people think of quitting their jobs and going for their "dream". But many end up poorer or unfulfilled. Of course there are those who "lived happily ever after".

On the other side of the coin, there are people who get a job out of necessity. While some remain unfulfilled and disgruntled about their day jobs, there are others who excelled in them despite not having passion for it in the first place. They gain recognition, earn respect and build their dignity as a result of their perseverance and diligence.

I would want to tell people to do what they love. To do whatever it takes to pursue their dream. But this thought makes me wonder if that is right.

What do you think? Should people learn to love what they do or learn to do what they love?

This is a very interesting question. I believe that people should first accept the situation they are in now. By accepting it, there would be no negative emotion generated to cause them to hate their current situation. They can then slowly work on loving what they do now in pursue of what they wish of doing.

Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

[funchy]

I think problem number one is that most people don't start out knowing what they love. They *think* a job at such-and-such will give them daily happiness. Or they *think* becoming rich or famous will prevent them from ever being sad, lonely, or ill. Then they either pine away for the thing they *think* will fix everything... or some do achieve the goal to find it didn't satisfy them after all.

My point is that without really knowing what it is that will make you satisfied, you may always yearn to do what you love... and then one day get there and be shocked it wasn't as fun as you thought it would be. Sometimes we need to try on a few different careers or lifestyles to find one that fits us.

Love and happiness come from within. A person can work as a garbageman and still be happy, like his job, and enjoy life. I personally know some people who are very wealthy (multimillionaires), and they pace around unsettled. No matter what they buy, they still feel empty & unsettled.

[allen080105]

As far as a career goes, I think when your career allows you to uniquely express and use your genius and provides a medium for you to accomplish your purpose then it resonates with you. That's why you love doing it. It puts you at ease when you do it, and you know it's work, but for some reason it doesn't feel like the word "work" as society uses it. This is what I'm learning from Dick Richards' book Is Your Genius At Work?.