Passion vs. Being Good.......

[toobinator]

I was self employed for the last 33 years of my working life, the last 23 of those years operating a tackle shop. Did I get rich running the tackle shop, no, but I enjoyed every minute of it, or at least 99% of those minutes. My wife and I were able to save enough money to retire (2 1/2 years ago). I feel I would have made more money working in a factory, but I wouldn't have been nearly as happy. Are we rich? No, but if you saw me you'd know I'm eating pretty regular. I wouldn't change it for the world.

[geodebasser]

My passion was fishing but I am not good enough to make a living at it. I was very good at commercial insurance sales that allowed me the money to give my family a great life while giving me the flexibility and money to follow my passion. After a life time of enjoying my passion I can say unequivocally that I would be starving if I depended on it.

[ram1076]

Well im no picasso so follow the money gets my vote

[Bill2e]

I am good at selling wine

I am passionate about bass fishing

I sell wine, so I can fish.

However, that being said, I love my job and it doesn’t fell like work.

I love the company and people I work with.

Find a company with good culture and everything will work out.

[Whopperstopper]

Happy wins if it will pay bills and keep a roof over my head. It was not as much "doing what I'm good at" as knowing what I did not want. Not good at working for someone else.

Self employed, own a small business, means you can't eat it if you don't kill it. It's not for everyone but I've done OK . Sent 2 kids to college, live a good life , have a decent boat and live near the ramp on a good lake . Wife still tolerates me. Been blessed. Had some lean years but I've had a good career over all.

No easy answer. Some folks need security of regular pay checks. Some willing to gamble on themselves . Whatever is best for you and your family is likely to be the route to take.

[Lx545]

Pinnacle is making good money to do what you love, however it's possible if you do what you love long enough you'll lose a little bit of fire. Set standards for your work and don't budge. You will be successful.

[Gambler Bob]

Been a plumber since I was 19 years old, 25+ years now. I am not passionate about plumbing, I am passionate about providing for my family. Hope to retire at about 58 years old, don't think my body will be able to handle the daily grind any older than that.

[Randrat]

Started my work life as a heavy equipment and Diesel mechanic. Got tired of being away all the time and went into motorcycles and snowmobiles. Then I discovered machining and never looked back. I liked all of my jobs and enjoyed them a lot. 11 years retired now and happy with what I have done with my work life. Still enjoy making a chip or two.

[RoadrashPaul]

Good question that I am struggling with big time. I do very well for myself but mostly hate the job and industry. Trying to decide if I want to be miserable for the next 10-15 years until I retire and be very well off or be less wealthy but much happier getting there. Doesn’t help that I am the only earner so I feel like I have to stay. I am also going to be 40 next May so that is weighing on me even more and I’m questioning everything.

[Crankin]

It would be great if what you did for income you truly loved. With that said , as long as your job doesn't bring pain or sadness to your life you should be ok. Many people including myself never aspired to be defined by my career. I have always been in Sales and for the most part had a very good career. Ask me what I would like to be defined by and it has nothing to do with my Career.

[goodman_fishing]

I went for passion out of high school, then got an education and found something more balanced. Life is good.

[Bassin_7]

For perspective, I've been all over the board!

Straight out of high school, I went and played soccer in Europe. Came back home after a career ending injury. Ended up being a fishing guide on Lake of the Woods (Kenora, Gussy's hood). Went to college. Air Force ROTC. Crawfished when they wouldn't guarantee flight school (in hindsight, every Pilot/Nav qualified candidate those 3 years got a slot and I had the highest written on the Pilot/Nav section of the AFOQT they had seen in 6 years, plus previous flight experience). Went into sales. Did well. Got tired of it. Went back to guiding (Fly Fishing in the Rockies). We moved to the midwest. Ended up as a PM for a commercial electrical contractor. It's where I am currently.

Always wanted to be self-employed. I've known it since being a teenager. Just haven't figured it out yet.

My current gig isn't bad, but the hours are looooong and GC's blow. Looking at the tech field. But, also looking at some odd side gigs, while doing my current job. Obviously (per previous posts), I have the dog training. I'm trying to get that full-time. Also, looking at returning to aviation (I'm just not sure I want to be on the road that much). Even looking at trying to sell some of my art work.

I'm 45, we have no kids and we are both ready to just slow down, enjoy what we have and be happy.

[cwilt]

Been an F-16 mechanic now for 30+ years. Not going to get rich working for the government but it pays the bills fairly well. Love putting these little jets in the air, and its always better when the return safely. I have alot of job satisfaction in what I do especially training the younger kids. Going to retire in less than 5 years. It's definitely going to be a sad day.

[Bassin_7]

Been an F-16 mechanic now for 30+ years. Not going to get rich working for the government but it pays the bills fairly well. Love putting these little jets in the air, and it's always better when the return safely. I have alot of job satisfaction in what I do especially training the younger kids. Going to retire in less than 5 years. It's definitely going to be a sad day.

My ABSOLUTE favorite bird since I was a kid. That plane is why I wanted to attend the USAFA. Why I went into ROTC. In my opinion, still the best air-to-air fighter in the rotation of the AF!

Thank You, Sir!

[Bijoukid]

Im currently doing what im good at.... and i absolutely hate it.

[Junk Fisherman]

Recently, I was listening to a talk from an IIT professor who studies and writes books on this topic. Research cannot find a link between career satisfaction and following your passion. Many people follow their passion and either do not achieve it or are not satisfied with it. Research can find a link between being highly skilled in one's field, having autonomy, having a sense of purpose with one's work, and making meaningful work-related relationships. He recommends that the best strategy for 20-something year olds is to develop skills that makes you excellent in your craft and in demand. I also like Mike Rowe's advice of following opportunity and bringing your passion along with you. Personally, I think telling kids to "follow your dreams" and "you can do anything" is TERRIBLE advice.

[Lx545]

I agree with above. I've been a machinist for almost 20 yrs now. Many days I hate the stress. But I strive to be the best at my craft and I'm compensated very well. The satisfaction of success when completing jobs correctly never gets old.

[ECobb91]

I’m passionate about the mountains and forests in the Adirondacks. I was accepted twice to one of the best forestry schools in the country but ended up in engineering. 6 years ago I applied for the forest ranger exam and realized that the max pay would be what I ended up making 2 years later. It would’ve made us move up to the mountains which is where we’d ultimately like to wind up but it meant taking a severe paycut plus relocating a couple hours from family to an area that has a much higher cost of living and my wife having to search for a new job. It would’ve been a selfish decision to put my desires above the needs of my wife, family, and put us in a financial bind since she only makes less than 25k a year so i turned it down.

i left that engineering job for another one and now only am contracted to work 37.5hr work weeks, have a great pension and benefits, am able to retire in 30 years at 62, and a lot of time off in the future. Sure im not remotely as passionate, I more tolerate the work than enjoy it, but it pays the bills and I don’t necessarily dread it everyday. I consider that a good career. Like I told my wife when she asked why I didn’t take the forest ranger exam, we can’t pay the bills with smiles.

[Okie Poke]

For me, it was passion about maximizing my financial situation. I've had two jobs out of college since '88. The first one was a waste of time for 12 years. My current job I believe I could do forever. Been there 24 years and will prolly go until 70. I have 7 years left and just so happened got lucky with the passion of it all. Prime example of following the passion of doing what you love.....my son graduated college last year. Originally, he was optometry major. He played college baseball and traveled all of the time during college so he missed labs, classes, etc. You cannot do that with optometry. His junior year he had to pick another major because he couldn't keep up. EHS is what he decided on. He landed a job last spring with a big HVAC manufacturer in Tulsa and a great starting salary as a safety manager. There was no passion in his position so, after 5 months of employment, he broke the news that he was quitting and pursuing the career that has always intrigued him, even as a little kid. He started last Dec in flight school and is on his last portion of dual engine and commercial rating. It's been an expensive venture. He's 25, so plenty of time to get his 1500 hours and apply for a big boy job as a commercial airlines pilot. He'll get there. He's a driven kid that has followed his passion.

[Lx545]