Do You Love Your Job?

I recently saw this question posted on social media. The first thing that came to my mind, was yes! I do, in fact, love my job. But then, something else jumped out at me: the word “job”. I wonder if that one little word were swapped out for “career” if the responses would differ. Maybe you love your job, but despise your career. Maybe vice versa.

Sometimes, we are required to prove ourselves or to climb the corporate ladder. If you dread getting up in the morning every single day, but the end result is in sight, maybe your next rung won’t be so bad. If the end justifies the means, go for it! A little hardship may prove your worth to your employer. I would advise you to keep your misery quiet in the meantime. Show up to work each day with a smile on your face and take your work world by storm! Of course, you should do this regardless of all else.

What if you’re spinning your gears to prove yourself, but that recognition or promotion doesn’t come? How long do you wait? It’s worth mentioning that I’m not a terribly patient person when it comes to my career or to personal happiness and fulfillment. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed far too many friends overlooked for promotions after investing years and years of faithful work to their employers. Outsiders interview exceptionally well and are hired on the spot. Eventually, the new hire is exposed and regrets take years to undo. I’ll use Steve Jobs as an example. Apple brought in the COE of Pepsi, who eventually fired Jobs from his own company. It took Apple took two years to realize the magnitude of that mistake and hire Job back.

So what’s the moral of the story? Love your job, even if you hate it. Make sure it’s not just a job, but is a career that you’re eventually willing to live with. After a few years, if you’re still unhappy, go somewhere else.

Life is too short to live with regrets!