The Skill vs. Will Conundrum: Why Doing What You Love Matters in Your Career

The question of how to build a happy and fulfilling career often boils down to a fundamental dilemma: should you focus on what you're good at (skill), or pursue what you truly love (will)?

This "skill vs. will conundrum" challenge isn't always straightforward.

While tradition (and your parents!) might suggest playing to your strengths, there's a growing recognition that passion - what you genuinely want to do - can be equally, if not more, important.

So, today, I want to focus on dissecting these two pillars and exploring the importance of doing something you love with your professional life. ????

???♀? Understanding the Conundrum: Skill vs. Will

Skill refers to your abilities, talents, and expertise - the things you can do well. It's what you’ve been trained for, what comes naturally, or what you’ve mastered over years of practice.

Will, on the other hand, represents your passion, drive, and enthusiasm - the things you love doing, regardless of whether you're the best at them. Will is the fire that keeps you motivated, even when the going gets tough.

The conundrum arises when these two don’t align.

You might excel at a job that doesn’t inspire you, or you might be deeply passionate about something you’re not particularly skilled at (yet).

I remember back in my banking days someone told me I was great at doing Governance - I even got a job offer from the Legal & Secretariat team - but what wasn't apparent to others though, is that I actually hated doing Governance!

So, when you are faced with a situation where you have to choose from something you are good at but hate OR something you love that is somehow more difficult to get, which should you prioritize?

?? The Problem with Skill-Only Focus

Focusing solely on skill may seem like the safest bet - after all, if you’re good at something, you’re more likely to be successful, right?

However, this approach has its downsides:

1. Burnout: Doing something you’re good at but don’t love can lead to burnout. Without a sense of purpose or passion, the daily grind becomes exhausting, no matter how competent you are.
2. Lack of Fulfilment: A career built on skill alone may lack the deeper fulfillment that comes from pursuing something you truly care about. You might achieve external success/ success on paper, but internal satisfaction could be missing.
3. Limited Growth: Passion fuels perseverance. Without a will, you might be less inclined to push through challenges, learn new things, or innovate in your field.

I mean, I remember countless debates about team members who were not performing - the first question always was: is it skill or will?

You see, when the problem was skill, it meant that you could train them to be better; however, when the issue was will, there was very limited space for improvement as in reality, the person didn't like their job so they had no appetite to improve.

?? Why Doing What You Love Matters

1. Sustained Motivation: When you’re passionate about your work, motivation comes naturally; some even call it inspiration! You’re more likely to go the extra mile, not because you have to, but because you want to. This sustained motivation is essential for long-term success.
2. Greater Resilience: Pursuing something you love gives you a stronger reason to overcome obstacles. Setbacks are seen as part of the journey rather than roadblocks, and you’re more likely to persevere through tough times.
3. Deeper Satisfaction: There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from aligning your career with your passions. This alignment often leads to a more meaningful and fulfilling life, where work doesn’t feel like work.
4. Innovation and Creativity: Passionate individuals are often more creative and innovative. When you love what you do, you’re naturally curious and open to new ideas, which can lead to breakthroughs and advancements in your field.

Towards the end of my banking career, I became the 'moaner in the office' - you know what I'm talking about, that one person who complains about everything and can't be bothered to do anything extra or slightly different.

And hey, that is NOT me! I LOVE change, I thrive with change...

But, when you feel like you have absolutely zero passion for a role, it's very hard to be motivated, to go the extra mile, and, let's face it, to be happy!

??Finding the Balance: Integrating Skill and Will

Ok, so how do you find the right balance?

I mean, while pursuing your passion is important, completely disregarding your skills isn’t advisable either.

The key is finding a balance - a career that leverages your skills while also aligning with your passions.

In other words, focus on something that you love, something that is aligned with your interests/ passion/ mission, and that you can do.

The way that I always approach it with my clients is to focus on their drivers first and then see what they can do, that fits those areas.

??Conclusion: Choose Love, Cultivate Skill??

The "skill vs. will conundrum" reminds us that while skills are important, they shouldn’t be the sole factor in choosing a career.

Doing what you love brings joy, satisfaction, and long-term success that skill alone cannot provide.

By finding a balance and integrating your passions with your abilities, you can create a career that’s not only successful but also deeply fulfilling.

In the end, the most rewarding careers are those where your skills meet your will - a place where you’re both competent and passionate, leading to a life that feels rich, meaningful, and truly your own.

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?Are you looking to get clear on what you should be doing with your career??

If so, I have an invitation for you: join my 3-Day Career Clarity Challenge (starting next week on the 17th of September) That has Been Designed to Help You Obtain CLARITY on Your Next Career Move, by Taking a Step Back and Questioning What You Are Really Looking For:

Free Career Clarity Challenge ( mailchi.mp )

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