Do what you like and like what you do

Sometimes before you can do what you love, you have to first learn to love what you do. What's the difference really? Everyone wants to do what they love. To create art, explore new hobbies, or run their own business. But for many, doing those things full-time isn't a realistic way to make a living. Maybe one day -- just not now. As a result, many of us commit to being miserable in our current situation because it's not our ideal. Why bother if things aren't perfect today? But that kind of attitude will get you nowhere.

Think your 9-5 job may not be perfect. Your supervisor may not be the most competent. Your schedule could be a little more forgiving. But unless you can change those things, it does little to waste energy complaining about them. Just as negativity begets further negativity, the same applies for opportunity. Commit to doing one thing exceptionally well. Learn to love what you do and people will take notice. More importantly, you'll be cultivating a mindset that's primed for success. And when the time comes for you to take the leap of faith to follow your passion, you'll be ready.

If you can truly love what you do, that will be the easiest way. If you cannot, don't settle and shift to do something that you love, by all means. Doing something that you love and believe in will make you a better person, and everyone around will benefit from one more person working with passion. Quoting from "The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran:

"And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.

And what is it to work with love?

It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.

It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.

It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.

It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit,

And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.

Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep, "he who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is a nobler than he who ploughs the soil.

And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet."

But I say, not in sleep but in the over-wakefulness of noontide, that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass;

And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving.

Work is love made visible".

For me, doing what you love is a win-win. Reasons : Some people are miserable without meaning in their work. No matter how hard some people try, they simply cannot concentrate on things which seem uninteresting to them. Frankly, even I can't. The “Love What You Do” path requires hard work, sacrifice, and vulnerability. Okay, I find these words scary. Don't you? Waiting until you’re older and more stable is risky. Most people have big future plans to compensate for the sacrifices they are making now. What if there isn't a future? Live in the present. Always.

If you are doing what you love, just for the money involved, you're doing it wrong. If you love what you do --> You do it more often than not --> Practice makes a man perfect --> You become really good at it --> You earn well. Every job has levels. Being a really good cook is better than being a shitty or mediocre programmer. Right? Although I myself wanted to study psychology but took up engineering, my 2nd best choice (It was a little late when I realized my liking to the subject). But still, following your dreams is really important. You may earn a little less(not always though) but still it'll be worth it.

You see, the problem is, we are so desperately trying to believe that we are exceptional in a world, where exception is actually a rule since diversity is one of the pillars that mother nature stands on. So yeah, everybody is unique, and yeah, that doesn't mean anything in the long run. It doesn't give you an edge in any kind of competition. Competition matters for the answer of your question because, in terms of earning a living, an occupation, there are only so many spots that are lovable, being interesting, non repetitive, letting you actualize yourself.

You can love one from the start or you can cultivate love for in when you are there, but you must understand, love won't get you there. Grit and critical thinking, planning will get you there, advantaged birth will also help. There will always be burger flippers, textile workers, cleaners whose work is not lovable and adequately paid. Did those people lack love? Did they do inadequate soul searching? Nope, they are just like you and me, see, it is just a numbers game and they are left out. Cheers!