What is it that you do?
February 22, 2010
What is it that you DO?
I am not asking where you work. I am not necessarily asking for an answer like
Bank Teller
Plumber
Server
Car Salesman
But those answers are certainly appropriate.
I work at a bank, but I am not a banker. Nor do I work with very many bankers.
I work with Pianists.
Screen Writers
Marathon Runners
What you DO is not necessarily what you do from 9 to 5. But if you are lucky enough to love what you do and perform your passion at your job then more power to you.
You are not your occupation.
You are the sum of your passions mixed with your sincere efforts.
I’m not talking about fame and fortune and getting paid to do what is at this time your hobby.
In fact, it may always be your hobby. Doing it as your job may rob all the joy from it.
Still…
You’re not just an educator. You are a teacher. *big difference
You’re not just a salesman. You are an influencer.
If my occupation defined me at this present moment I would be quite depressed. I am defined by what I do outside of my 9 to 5.
That’s not an excuse to set my cruise control and just survive my job. I should try to bring the level of excellence I strive for in my passions to my job.
Make art (to borrow a term from Seth Godin - Seth’s Blog) out of whatever it is that you do, but do not forsake your personal art.
Life is to be enjoyed and not just survived. If you do not enjoy what it is that you do then find a way to DO what it is that you love.
Don’t quit your day job. Make time for your passions around reality.
If you’re lucky (or maybe just try hard enough) your reality may change so that your passions become your focus and what you do is something that happens in the meantime.
