Do what you really want to do

“The minute you do what you really want to do, it’s really a different kind of life”
– Buckminster Fuller

Do you do what you really want to do in you work? If you don’t here are some very good reasons why you definitely should.

1. You will enjoy life more

When you are not happy with your work, and because it is difficult to confine unhappiness, your unhappiness and frustration will tend to spill over into all areas of your life. Thankfully, the opposite is true. Happiness at work will increase happiness in all aspects of your life.

2. Your health will improve

There are many stress-related illnesses, both physical and emotional, that can happen if you are doing work you do not enjoy. Your immune system is compromised if you are not happy, and you are more susceptible to all sorts of physical illnesses.

3. Your relationships will improve

When you are happy in a fulfilling job, your positive emotion will spill over into your relationships with your partner, your family, and your friends. When you are doing work that you love, you are no longer irritable and impatient. People will want to be around you because of your positive attitude and happy disposition.

4. You will save money – and save the planet

When you are dissatisfied, you look for consolations or ways to satisfy yourself. Whilst there are many good consolations, there are also many bad ones. Unhappiness and stress can lead to dysfunctional and wasteful behaviours such as substance abuse, gambling and passive entertainment. You are more likely to ‘treat’ yourself with shopping therapy and unneeded purchases. This leads to over-consumption and a higher ecological footprint at high cost to yourself and to the environment.

5. You will have more energy

If you want to start the day with a hop in your step, do work that is more meaningful. When you are doing something that resonates with you, you will have energy all day long and you will not feel drained at the end of the day, but rather a satisfying sort of tired.

“If one wanted to crush and destroy a man entirely, to mete out to him the most terrible punishment, all one would have to do would be to make him do work that was completely and utterly devoid of usefulness and meaning.”
– Fyodor Dostoevsky in ‘The House of the Dead’

6. Your self-esteem and confidence will improve

When you are doing the work you were born for, you will be good at it. You will be using your natural talents, interests, and passions. Your confidence will soar because you are doing what comes natural to you. You will feel better about yourself and that creates a positive feedback loop because you will be more motivated and therefore more production.

7. You will want to continue improving

If you are doing work you love, you will want to seek out opportunities for personal growth. You will want to keep keep learning, keep growing and keep improving.

There is no simple way to achieve your purpose in life. Like anything truly worthwhile you will need to work hard to achieve it. The beauty of pursuing your authentic goals is that even the pursuit is rewarding. As the famous designer and inventor, Buckminster Fuller said: “…it’s really a different kind of life.”