I don’t usually pay much attention to the beginning of the year. This year has been no exception. Still, a few days ago, I read an interesting article whose main postulate was “Find The Thing You’re Most Passionate About, Then Do It On Nights And Weekends For The Rest Of Your Life.” At first, I couldn’t agree more with the idea, because I have to say that I feel lucky to be able to work doing what I like most, and I can really say that “I do what I like, and I get paid for it.” Anyway, I must say that this has not always been the case in my life and although in my work I enjoy what I do, there are certain things that I would like to do and time does not allow it and this postulate made me reflect a little.
When what you have to do most of your time is not something you are passionate about
It turns out that there are many times when we, unfortunately, cannot say what we have to do most of our time is our passion in life. What to do in these cases?
A few years ago, I had to work in a job that was not the one I liked most because of what I had to do and the time I had to work. But I was studying at the university, I didn’t have much experience to risk doing what I liked on my own, and therefore I didn’t have many options. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful to have had that job, but there are times when what you do is not what you like.
Change of perspective
At that time, I read somewhere, or someone told me an idea that says that it is better to “like what you do than to do what you like.” Based on this idea, my perspective on things changed. Not that I suddenly magically liked everything, but little by little, I began to enjoy that work. I even considered continuing to do that work as a way of life. The work was the same, but the attitude changed. Sometime later, I had the opportunity to bet on what I was passionate about. In the end, with effort and sacrifice, I may end up working what I was passionate about as a livelihood, but that is another story.
Do it at nights or on weekends
Anyway, whether you do what you love and get paid for it – or not – you probably have something you don’t normally have time for and say you’ll do it when you have time (painting, singing, drawing, taking pictures, riding a bike, or whatever you’re passionate about). Decide to start, plan your time, and you will surely have some space and if not, as David Ferguson said, do it in the evenings or during the weekends. I’ve decided (we’ll see what comes out).
Happy New Year!