Passive vs Passionate Are You Doing What You Love
Usually when we grow up, the question of "what do you want to be" is an exciting chance to daydream about what career you would like.
When I was about nine or ten years old, I was constantly reminded of that question.
However, in my case, my parents only encouraged two possibilities:
1. A doctor…
2. Or an engineer…
In my parents' eyes, that was it. The only other option, was ? loser.
Since I didn't want anybody to think I was a loser, I reluctantly went with a ‘maybe' on engineer.
It may sound kind of extreme only having two options available, but growing up in a middle-class Indian family, the dreams of the elders were often limited.
To be honest, my only main talents were drawing and creating things. If I had to do something outside of those two things, there was little chance I would do so with any bit of enthusiasm.
If you had seen my school books back then, it wouldn't have been hard to tell my preference. My notebooks were covered with pencil drawings, which displayed teachers who half-heartedly gave lectures – each depicted with grim expressions on their faces.
Obviously, school wasn't my cup of tea.
I did, however, always like reading autobiographies. Even today, when I am in a book store, the first section I go to is the autobiographies. I could spend hours there.
(My most recent reading was the autobiography of Warren Buffet, titled "The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life".)
While reading these books, I had always wondered why my parents limited themselves to only two professions. Everyone I read about came from all kinds of professional backgrounds: writers, poets, politicians, historians…even artists!
As the years have passed, I've realized that it's not what profession you choose – it's the passion you have for what you do.
Far too many people live their day-to-day lives, miserable, going through the motions in a haze. When you're passionate about what you do, it's infinitely easier to give everything you've got to make it work.
This all might seem obvious, but consider how many people settle for something they hate.
"Work spares us from three evils: boredom, vice and need" – Voltaire
Are you doing what you love? One easy way to know how content you are is the Monday test:
- Are you excited to get back to work on Mondays?
- Are you thinking about Monday (in a good way!) the night before – mentally preparing for the week?
If so, be very proud that you're on the right track. That sort of enthusiasm will make a huge impact on the lives of those around you.
If you feel otherwise, don't be hard on yourself. Perhaps it's time to give some thought on what you have to offer. Remember: everyone has something of value to offer.
Obviously, I've figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
And although I'm not an engineer by trade, I am an engineer of my life.
An engineer is an expert in planning, designing, creating and testing. In that sense, we're all engineers.
Luckily, you don't have to have a degree to know what you want in life. You just have to have the desire and commitment to achieve it.
Takeaway: Never settle for less than you deserve or something that your heart isn't in to. Being passionate about what you do is critical to living positively. If you're not able to do what you want now, keep the end goal in mind and constantly work towards it.
When I was about nine or ten years old, I was constantly reminded of that question.
However, in my case, my parents only encouraged two possibilities:
1. A doctor…
2. Or an engineer…
In my parents' eyes, that was it. The only other option, was ? loser.
Since I didn't want anybody to think I was a loser, I reluctantly went with a ‘maybe' on engineer.
It may sound kind of extreme only having two options available, but growing up in a middle-class Indian family, the dreams of the elders were often limited.
To be honest, my only main talents were drawing and creating things. If I had to do something outside of those two things, there was little chance I would do so with any bit of enthusiasm.
If you had seen my school books back then, it wouldn't have been hard to tell my preference. My notebooks were covered with pencil drawings, which displayed teachers who half-heartedly gave lectures – each depicted with grim expressions on their faces.
Obviously, school wasn't my cup of tea.
I did, however, always like reading autobiographies. Even today, when I am in a book store, the first section I go to is the autobiographies. I could spend hours there.
(My most recent reading was the autobiography of Warren Buffet, titled "The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life".)
While reading these books, I had always wondered why my parents limited themselves to only two professions. Everyone I read about came from all kinds of professional backgrounds: writers, poets, politicians, historians…even artists!
As the years have passed, I've realized that it's not what profession you choose – it's the passion you have for what you do.
Far too many people live their day-to-day lives, miserable, going through the motions in a haze. When you're passionate about what you do, it's infinitely easier to give everything you've got to make it work.
This all might seem obvious, but consider how many people settle for something they hate.
"Work spares us from three evils: boredom, vice and need" – Voltaire
Are you doing what you love? One easy way to know how content you are is the Monday test:
- Are you excited to get back to work on Mondays?
- Are you thinking about Monday (in a good way!) the night before – mentally preparing for the week?
If so, be very proud that you're on the right track. That sort of enthusiasm will make a huge impact on the lives of those around you.
If you feel otherwise, don't be hard on yourself. Perhaps it's time to give some thought on what you have to offer. Remember: everyone has something of value to offer.
Obviously, I've figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
And although I'm not an engineer by trade, I am an engineer of my life.
An engineer is an expert in planning, designing, creating and testing. In that sense, we're all engineers.
Luckily, you don't have to have a degree to know what you want in life. You just have to have the desire and commitment to achieve it.
Takeaway: Never settle for less than you deserve or something that your heart isn't in to. Being passionate about what you do is critical to living positively. If you're not able to do what you want now, keep the end goal in mind and constantly work towards it.
