HAVING a good career is one thing, but having a fulfilling career is another thing.

Far too many people just pursue the 'good' career which, they measure by things such as money and recognition.

It all comes from the misconception that money and recognition can give them happiness, which will make their life meaningful.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. Money and recognition might give us happiness, but they can't give us a fulfilling career. So, what gives us a fulfilling career?

The only way to have a fulfilling career is by doing what really matters to you.

You need to do things that are meaningful to you, things which you know deep in your heart are the right things to do. There is one simple way to test whether or not your current career is a fulfilling career. Simply answer this question honestly:

Will you keep doing what you do if even if you do it for free and it never becomes popular?

Take a moment to think about this question. No money and no popularity.

Will you keep doing it? Do you love what you do enough that you will keep doing it despite money and recognition? You might find the question counterintuitive. After all, why should we work if not for money or recognition?

Well, working for money or recognition is a common misconception, which often is rooted very deeply in our mind. Rather than trying to explain it myself, I would let Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, do this part ( quote from his commencement address at Stanford):

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers."

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle."

Take this quiz: Do you have the professional edge?

Illustration: Abhijeet Kini

1 | 2 |  

e-mail: Donald Latumahina

Suggest a story idea! Write to us!