Is it possible for everyone to do what they love and still earn a good living?

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   happiness coachposted 12 years ago

   Is it possible for everyone to do what they love and still earn a good living?
   
   People are encouraged to do what they love and minimize the stress of having a job they hate. Can everyone afford do this or only 'a select few'?
   
   

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   dashingscorpioposted 12 years ago

   Possible but not likely. Not everyone has the same drive or ambition to realize their dreams. Others have the drive and ambition but lack the knowledge. Still others never figure out how to connect the dots.
   Whenever someone asks: Why are you not living the life you wanted?
   You get a wide variety of answers in return. Rarely does one simply admit "I really didn't want what I said I wanted". or "I'm actually comfortable going with the flow and seeing where (life) takes me". 
   Our society frowns on people that have no goals or dreams. Colleges are filled with students who (really didn't want) to go to college. They were (expected) to go. It's not hip to be a "slacker".
   Most people are (pressured) into wanting more out of life. A guy knows most "hot looking" women will not give him the time of day if he is a waiter or parking valet who (loves) his job and enjoys riding the bus to work. Many of career goals are driven by the "things or people" we want in our lives and not so much by what we (enjoy) doing for a living.
   Someone who is "content" with having a job, a home, food, a mate, cable TV, and their bills paid is made to feel like a failure. However I suspect there is a "silent majority" of people in this situation of "living for the weekend" (are)  living the life they really want. Shame or attacks that comes with that admission is what keeps them in the closet. :-)

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You have raised some very good points! Some people probably do aspire to do more because of society's expectations. It may even be possible that some people don't really need more than comfort, security and routine.

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      thegeckoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, I think you and I are on the same wave-length here

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   Taleb80posted 12 years ago

   I think most of us can find a way to do that, you have to search, think & study how to do to that. But it has to be a real dream which worth the change you will face on the way.

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. Something that ideal is really something worth working hard at attaining.

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   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   Maybe not everyone can make a great living, but you can do what you love and make a decent living. There will be difficult times, but it is possible to survive doing your dream job.

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I love your perspective! It suggests that even if you don't have a lot of money, you can definitely have fulfillment and self-satisfaction.

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      lburmasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly!

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   WalterPoonposted 12 years ago

   When you say "everyone", chances are the answer is no. Even for rules, there are exceptions. Many are those who go to Hollywood, trying to make that big break with what they love to do, i.e. acting, but failed. You just have to see the reaction of some of the contestants of American Idol and Britain's Got Talent, when they are told that they do not qualify. So also are many wannabe politicians...

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "wannabe politicians.." :-)

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      WalterPoonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Happiness coach, can't get you... by wannabe politicians, I mean those who stand for every election but fail and fail.

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I realized that's what you meant. It made me smile. I started to envision some of them.

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   Escobanaposted 12 years ago

   I think I can perfectly state that Spain is the perfect example for having large groups in society that work in jobs they hate more than anything.
   
   We have a 25 % unemployement rate in Spain with over 6 million people unemployed and the crisis hasn't reached his lowest point yet.
   
   To want to do what you love is no option for many who have to pay their bills and who have to avoid to be kicked out of their homes. On top of that salaries are very low and sadly enough the situation will not change for the better any time soon.
   
   With all the politicians protecting their position and wealth, the long lived tradition of corruption continues and 'a select few' will do amazingly good always.

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      wow! thank you for sharing the situation in Spain with us. I would imagine that if Spaniards are seeking job satisfaction they may have to look elsewhere! Best wishes to you.

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   thegeckoposted 12 years ago

   Such a complex issue! It really depends on many other factors
   
   To name a few...
   
   -Whether the person is good at what they love.
   -The education needed.
   -The amount of competition out there in that industry.
   -Luck.
   -Where the person lives.
   -Other responsibilities and obligations. Taking care of others (children, parents, etc).
   -Lifestyle choices. How big do you want your house to be? What kind of car do you choose to drive? How many shoes will you own? How you spend your money will undercut how much you need to make at what you do.
   -Is there another income earner in your life?
   -What really causes stress at your job? Even if you do what you love... co-workers, business politics, lack of appreciation, etc and undermine how much you enjoy your job.

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So important to consider if they are good at what they love. But, should it matter that they're good if they love it, if money is not a factor? Good point about other stress contributors that can exist anywhere!

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      thegeckoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I was just making a connection between income and ability. People who are better at what they do generally earn more, so they would be more able to stay in the job they love

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      happiness coachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      True. And then there's the 'chicken and egg' situation of - people who do what they love, tend to do it well and then earn more too. One consideration, for those who are entrepreneurs - accessing good business training is essential.

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