Choosing your work is about engaging in work that recognizes the irreplaceable nature of time. Let’s examine the value of time by considering a few scenarios.
What’s the difference between someone who goes on a luxurious vacation — first-class flights, five-star hotels — but spends their time feeling miserable, whining, and bitterly moaning about petty complaints, and someone who goes on a budget vacation — perhaps camping, flying economy, or staying at an inexpensive hotel — but spends their time smiling, laughing, in awe, and grateful for the experience? Is first class more comfortable than economy? Yes, it is. But does traveling first class create a better vacation? No, it does not. Luxury, however nice it may be, can never replace the joy that is found in each moment.
What’s the difference between a house and a home? Imagine an opulent house with marble floors, designer furniture, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. But the luxury is stained by bitter arguments, long silences, and unresolved conflicts. The unspoken tension and emotional distance rob the swimming pool and tennis court of their appeal. Now imagine a humble home where the aroma of a home-cooked meal fills the kitchen, laughter reverberates through the hallways, and conversations are filled with joy.
What’s the difference between mechanically playing memorized notes and delivering a musical performance? Imagine someone forced by their parents to practice piano daily, who can play scales with perfect technical precision. Compare that to someone who expresses their own interpretation of a particular piano piece and plays it with their entire body.
Now let’s apply this concept to choosing your work. What’s the difference between a random job and your true work? Imagine someone who toils without any emotion, who engages in a sterile trade of time for money, who is purely rational. Compare that to someone doing work that gives them energy, who radiates joy from the activity, who uses their natural strengths, and then leaves work fulfilled and wanting more.
Avoid work that relegates time to purely a means to achieve an objective. Instead, choose the work that uses time as an irreplaceable experience.
This article is an excerpt from Chapter 3 of Choose Your Work
Dan Dobos writes about decision making, personal growth, human potential, fulfillment and helping people choose the work that they are meant to do. He is the author of Choose Your Work.