Do what you Love.

Wil Wheaton posted this comment today, which was actually a quote from some dude who I have idea who he is, anyway here's the quote:

If you want the secret, I have it.

It's about the work. Regardless of your chosen profession or station in life, the work is what matters. Skip it and you will be caught. Slack off, and others will catch up to you. Cut corners and you will have to answer to yourself at some point.

Of course, that said, the hardest question to answer once it is assumed that hard work is part of the equation is, "Now, what do I work on?" Whatever you love. Work on whatever you love and don't think about the payoff, but instead the road. If part of your road is a continual hunt for a payoff, so be it, but pick a life and career that makes you happy even in the very pursuit of the thing you've chosen.

I like Wil, but I've always hated this kind of thinking. It’s pounded into you growing up and throughout your academic career. "Find what you love and go with it!" BAH!

Yes, I'm intensely jealous of those who found their career path early, studied on a track throughout college, and got a job. Those people who loved computers as a kid, which just evolved into coding. Or those who screwed up their knee playing flag football and because of that, found a love of physical therapy and helping people. But in reality, not all of us are like that. Its just doesn't happen. Some of us never find our passion. Or choose to find their passion in other areas of their life. And I hate feeling less actualized because of this.

In honesty, my dream job is a Temp worker. Its glorious work, the swinging bachelor of the corporate industry. I did it for a couple of years, and I think if I could, I'd strongly consider doing it again. You have no commitment or your commitment is a set amount of time. Your responsibilities are only up to the level in which you have shown you are capable of. The expectations are set so low that you can blow them away every time. And as soon as you start to tire of the enviable bullshit that lurks in every office like moss, you're out. Done. No worrying about resolving that issue that is okay for now, but soon will become a huge deal that can't be ignored or fixed easily. No worrying about that boss that wears on you to a point that you can't take it anymore. You're off to the next bed in your anti-monogamous lifestyle. Plus, a new company every 3 months means you are always the hit of the party with new and exciting tales of a different office and their resident wacko. For me, it’s the bowling alley job for Homer.

But alas, not having:
Benefits, guaranteed employment, a regular raise based on performance, paid holidays and vacations, an outside company taking a big chunk of your pay every week and all the other pluses of working for 1 company basically prevents me from fulfilling this dream job.

I suppose its the underachiever in me who's scared of success is writing this post. I've worked at the same company for more than 3 years for the first time in my life. With this tenure, there is a part of me who is both dealing with the power of people listening to my opinion and using it to make decisions, but also learning that I just can't ignore what I don't like about my environment, as the next job isn't necessarily 1 month away. It’s a new experience, and one that I’m not comfortable with yet.

But my original point stands true. Not everyone is going to find his or her passion in life and be able to turn it into employment. Some of us will merely stand our jobs so we can do the things we want. Some of us may even despise our jobs, but deal with it because it pays well and has great benefits for the family. And if we are quoting pop psychology, allow me to use Stuart Smalley's words: "And that's okay"