I recently heard the saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” What does that even mean, and how can I get some of that??? I certainly don’t mind working hard, but what’s this job where you work but don’t actually feel like you’re working? Is that a thing, and should that really be the goal? I mean, when I first heard that, I was kinda taken back. I honestly thought, “Let’s grow up and be adults here, real adults who work in the real world.” After a few days, the saying stayed with me, and it directed me to this post.

We see pictures of women & men who smile flawlessly while working as CEO’s and heads of huge organizations. (Ivanka Trump, oh, how we love you!) We hear of people who work in non-profits making life-changing developments in communities worldwide. We also know a few friends from another time, who we just saw on Facebook traveling the globe on glamorous work trips,  and that’s just one of their work perks. “Great, so they have awesome jobs and lovely lives, but what about me?” you may ask.

Well, what about you? I’m not about to tell you to quit your job and go find one that you’ll like better. Instead, I’m going to show you how to start enjoying the job you have by changing your perspective about what you do.

Answer these questions to yourself:

1. What is your job title?
2. What is your formal job description?
3. What do you actually do?
4. What would you rather do?

This is a really good starting point. You’ve probably already answered these questions in your head a few times before, so you’re already half way there! You know what you do, what you are supposed to do, what you end up doing, and what you would rather do. Now answer these questions:

1. Is it feasible to do what you would rather do?
   1. If yes, how?
   2. If no, why?
2. Are you the reason you are not doing what you would rather do?
   1. If yes, why?
   2. If no, who or what?
3. Could you do what you would rather do while also doing what you currently do?

The first two questions are the easy game changers. If it’s feasible to make that change, then it’s up to you to do it. It may be as simple as talking with your employer about changing things up.

Maybe it’s not that simple and you don’t think you’re the reason why you can’t do what you really want to do. If that’s the case, stay there for a while and think about who is in control of you. If it’s completely out of the question for you to change what you are currently doing to what you would rather be going, then start thinking of a compromise.

Here’s what compromise looks like: You’re working in the corporate world, but you’re a Christian who wants to be more involved in ministry. It’s impossible for you to step away from your job because you have a huge family to support and really need the income. Don’t quit what you’re doing at work, but start changing what you’re doing when you’re off the clock. Get involved in weekend ministry work with your church or a local non-profit. Use that spare time to fit in the ministry work that you feel you’ve been missing.

I hope you guys don’t all feel that you’re missing out on life because of a job you hate. This is one of those posts that I’m hoping isn’t super relatable, but unfortunately, I know it is for a lot of you. I want to personally encourage you to always evaluate yourself, your situation, and the control that you have to make things different. Remember, it’s your life, and you only get one, so make it count! You are too important to feel less than amazing, so whatever your job title is, be the best (insert job title here) there has ever been!

-L