Passion vs Practicality in Careers
Without a doubt, having love for one's work is essential to success. Steve Jobs said,
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”
and you know he produced excellent work! However, even Jobs cannot survive only on enthusiasm. We live in the real world (most of the time) and being financially secure is essential to thrive in it. Without money, we cannot even get our hands on Jobs’ well-loved iPhones. So how do we choose our careers?
Allow me to end the suspense now: balance is the solution. Like everything else in life, the secret is to find a middle ground, even when it comes to career choice. But how can one find that compromise? How do you strike a balance between your interests as a technologist who also loves to farm or an automobile engineer who wants to travel? Continue reading as we attempt to solve this puzzle!
1. Is your passion the market trend?
Find out how much of a market need there is for the skill you are passionate about. The World Economic Forum frequently publishes updated data on hiring patterns. There will not be a problem if the market is adopting your skill or if what you are enthusiastic about is already trending. The world is your oyster, and you are the fortunate one. Make the move to a career you love and take advantage of the chances it presents! These are the jobs that are growing and shrinking the fastest as of 2023.
Continue to keep an eye on the market trends to ensure your passion is in line with the market.
2. Be a Disruptor
If you have faith in your skills, take a chance and upend the industry! Push through even if market trends indicate that this is not a feasible alternative.
One of my family members had an immense passion for cars, travel, and adventure. He combined all three in his creation, Nomadic Road. Several members of my family questioned how he could be successful in the face of more well-established travel agencies. By carving out a place for himself among vacationers seeking more immersive vacation experiences, he disproved all of them wrong.
Keep in mind that you will need at least some degree of financial security, an investor who is willing to back your vision, and a circle of supportive friends. Before you embark on the disruption option, be sure to read my tips on how to take that leap of faith.
3. Go Part-Time
If you lack the resources to disrupt without going bankrupt, you might consider working part-time. This would also help with understanding how deep your passion runs before making the switch. Be honest with your current employer about the need to work fewer hours and discuss your desire to go part-time.
If that is not an option, you can attempt contracting, which gives you more flexibility in terms of job commitment and allows you to choose your own hours. I have dealt with several incredibly talented contractors who would never go permanent because it allows them to follow their passion without sacrificing their ability to make a living.
4. Look for A Hybrid Job
The number of hybrid jobs, which mix several skill sets into one position, has increased recently. To stand out on the job market, identify the talents that go well with your passion. For instance, if technology is your thing but music is your passion, you can work in the music business developing apps that musicians use. You will be rated higher than other applicants due to your musical knowledge and interest! I know of an HR specialist who chose to work for an apparel firm due to her keen interest in fashion!
These days, a lot of businesses support and promote hybrid employment, so keep an eye out for these opportunities!
5. Craft Your Job
People can adapt their current work to meet their passions by using a process called "job crafting." Sounds fictitious, doesn't it? It most certainly isn't; for more real-world instances, read this article from the Harvard Business Review.
There are three types of job crafting –
Task Crafting – This is the easiest method to combine your passions with your current career. Integrating your passion into responsibilities that are already a part of your employment is known as task crafting.
If you work in HR, for instance, and you enjoy painting or drawing, you can fit it into your daily schedule. As part of your employee engagement campaign, you might encourage employees to submit artwork in their emails or present the contents of your message in an artistic format.
Your interests will find a way to be expressed, and the extra energy you bring to your daily work will help you stand out.
Relationship Crafting – This involves finding ways to engage with others in a way that fulfils your interests. This works well when you are interested in soft skills or communication.
Assume for the moment that although you enjoy teaching, you are working with technology. A handful of your junior employees can be taken under your wing to learn technical skills related to your line of work. This will help you become recognised as a team player within the business while allowing you to mentor them.
To establish a deep connection, think of innovative methods to interact with the individuals you work with or even the clients you meet.
Cognitive Crafting – This third kind of crafting necessitates a shift in perspective so that you start to become passionate about what you are already working on.
My colleague aspired to work in the not-for-profit industry to have a positive social influence. His work brought him to the government sector instead. However, he decided to carry out his duties in a way that saves the taxpayers both money and time. He fulfils his social responsibility by making sure that no hard-earned money is wasted, returning as much as he can back to the community.
It takes some time and a lot of effort to build that mindset. It might even be preferable to speak with a career counsellor who can assist in changing your perspective on what you do.
Many have demonstrated that they are capable of striking the ideal balance. With the right attitude and effort, you can find that balance too. Please contact me if you need help going through any of these options.
