Work what you love

Almost everyone has to work something to earn their living, right? This is how the world functions. The question is: Do we get to work what we love?

I remember about a movie that I saw some time ago. It is called Waffle Street. Although I may not remember clearly all the details, I am sure though I never forgot its main message. It is well imprinted in my memory and that is what I want to convey it to you. Of course, the way I got it.

There was one young and capable man who got fired from his previous job. His firing was related to some financial issues. Before he was laid off he was successful, worked long hours, had a big salary, a big house, wife with a child on its way, and an expensive car. He was at the point that he had to find another job to cover all the costs. At one point in time he started looking for simple jobs that didn’t require higher education. He was ready to accept anything, even a job needing manual work, that could make him earn something palpable. Although he was overqualified for all the jobs he applied for, he finally got one as a waiter. Due to his capability and experience he started thinking way beyond the job he was doing. He decided to buy the restaurant he worked in. He did everything necessary so that he could achieve his plan. That included also selling his expensive house and car. He struggled as much as he could including working extra hours to learn the business. All this time he was fortunate to have his wife’s support. When he was very close to closing the deal, at his disappointment, he found out that the place was sold to somebody else. His father offered financial support to him to open another restaurant. He accepted it and made the first steps to it. As he would need a cook, he asked the one that he knew from the restaurant he had became very fond of. The cook said that he would accept his offer but an important dialogue took place that sounded approximately like this:

The cook: Do you love restaurant business?

The young man: I see potential in it.

The cook: I asked you if you LOVE it!

The young man: No, I don’t.

The cook: What is it that you would love to work, even if it was for free? Think about it.

I might not have realized it then, but it could be that this movie inspired me deeper than I thought. I feel fortunate that what I do now is what I love and I was, I am and I will do it even for free.

I hope you will find the type of work that you love as well. The one that really fulfills you. The one that you do without any pressure. The one that doesn’t make you check your watch and wait for working hours to be over. The one where the heart is the leader. The one that you give yourself into it completely, but still save time for yourself, your family and friends.

If you already do such work, you may consider yourself lucky. Or maybe you are just on the way to discover it. In any case, the moment you find it, you know it, because you simply love it.