Blog Talk: Do What You Love
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January 22, 2020
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had someone tell me that I’m “so lucky” I’m able to do what I love. And just as many times I’ve heard people tell me they admire me for my work ethic and going after what I want. Let me tell you a little secret: I’m not lucky and literally anyone can do what they love every day. All it takes is work. And guess what: you already work every day. So what’s the difference? Wouldn’t you rather build your own success rather than someone else’s? Don’t get me wrong. I understand that there are struggling single moms out there and people in all kinds of unfortunate circumstances. But I truly believe with all my heart that anyone who has access to read this post right now can go after what they want and do what they love if that’s what they really want for themselves.
With the new year, there’s naturally more talk around being fulfilled in your work, so I took to Instagram to ask if people did what they loved for work every day. And if not, why not? These are some of the replies I got:
“Freelancing is hard”
“Benefits, a regular paycheck, regular hours, and earning potential”
“So nervous about going out on my own!”
“Being a ‘starving artist’ isn’t an option when there’s kids to support…”
Every single one sounds like an excuse to me. And if you’re still making excuses, that tells me that you don’t really want it.
I’ve been blogging full time for over five years. I did not instantly make 6 figures a year the day I quit my job. But I was instantly happier. To me, that’s worth all the money in the world. The truth is, there’s no such thing as job security. A lot of people stay at jobs they hate because they tell themselves they have guaranteed money and/or benefits. But the truth is, nothing in this life is guaranteed and you alone are responsible for your own happiness. So making excuses isn’t hurting anyone but yourself.
When you do what you love every day, it rarely feels like “work.” In fact, when you’re truly passionate about something, it takes more effort and willpower to not do that thing. When something feeds your soul, you’re more than willing to do whatever it takes to feel the delight of pure fulfillment. Whether it’s after your 9-5, or your 80+ hour/week life, I encourage you to do what you love every day. And if you haven’t found that passion yet, go out and try new things. It could change your life!
Pin for Later:
Do you do what you love every day? Why or why not?
January 15, 2019 @ 10:11 am
I think I’m in the odd middle ground where I keep trying to make blogging work and just haven’t been able to get it to transition into a viable job. But I don’t let it stop me. I don’t let my disabilities stop me. I’m blogging regularly. I still post on social media regularly. I’m still churning out new content, researching the market, etc. I think I’m just missing something, something crucial part of the puzzle, but it certainly isn’t for lack of trying!
PS – I mean what I said to Lauren Elyce, when I can get money (because ya home girl here is still unemployed after my TV show wrapped. UGH.), I’m coming to Adorn Media for professional help to bridge the gap.
January 16, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
It sure is a lot of work isn’t it?! You have to be a writer, creative director, photographer, web designer, marketing manager, sales manager, SEO analyst, social media maven, customer service agent, graphic designer and so much more! It’s endless, but when you love it, you just can’t stop! As you know, I’d love to work with you, girl!!
January 15, 2019 @ 3:47 pm
Great points! I love my job and so Ill never go full time but I do love it is a part-time job/hobby and thats what I want to continue building my blog to ne
January 16, 2019 @ 12:11 pm
If you love your job then you’re already doing what you love!!! Good for you! 🙂
January 15, 2019 @ 7:11 pm
love this post!
http://www.oliviaschueller.com
January 16, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Thanks so much for reading, Olivia!
January 17, 2019 @ 12:50 am
I definitely believe in enjoying your life and your work. I work full time outside of blogging, and blogging is a way for me to express myself creatively while keeping up with my hobbies and what I’m passionate about!
Kileen
cute & little
January 17, 2019 @ 8:05 am
Yes, absolutely! I don’t know how you do it all girl – especially with kids!! Kudos to you!!
January 17, 2019 @ 7:53 am
I blog and work full time right now…and eventually want to make it a full time job. Way to go for following your passion and making blogging work for you. That is hopefully where I want to be soon. Thanks for the inspo. babe.
January 17, 2019 @ 8:06 am
You can totally get there, girlfriend!!! Following my passion was the best thing I EVER did!
January 17, 2019 @ 9:27 am
I’m glad you’ve been able to find your passion.
January 17, 2019 @ 1:08 pm
Me too!!! I changed my major 5 times and worked for someone else for almost a year before I figured it out. SO happy I did though!!
January 17, 2019 @ 10:02 am
I hear those excuses a lot as well, but I also hear the “you’re so lucky” bit so often, and while I know that I AM incredibly lucky to do what I love and be paid for it, it’s also the hardest thing I’ve ever done. So I guess I see both sides!
January 21, 2019 @ 10:30 am
Oh, absolutely!!! I preach that all the time. Just because I love it does NOT mean it’s easy! However, I would much rather put in the hard work and long hours doing something I truly enjoy and building MY own dream rather than someone else’s.
January 17, 2019 @ 12:46 pm
such a great post babe! i totally agree that in life we should find our passion and work hard at it 🙂
January 21, 2019 @ 10:31 am
Thanks, Sharon! A million percent yes!
January 17, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
Totally agree!! It shouldn’t go a pass by where you don’t do what you really like. Life is only one!!
XO
CANDACE
HTTP//WWW.THEBEAUTYBEAU.COM
January 21, 2019 @ 10:26 am
Yes!! I couldn’t waste my life away in a job I hated. So thankful for the life I’ve created for myself!
January 17, 2019 @ 3:02 pm
I am so proud to say that I do! I also quit my corporate job to become a full-time blogger/influencer and haven’t regretted a day since!
January 21, 2019 @ 10:26 am
Get it, girl!!! So happy for you!
January 18, 2019 @ 11:56 am
I agree to an extent. There’s this misconception that if you “love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” which I think is completely untrue. If you do what you love, you’ll be working *all the time*, not to mention there are always aspects of doing what we love that are maybe not as fun. For example, I love my job in political advocacy but I don’t love sitting down and doing data entry. Unfortunately, it’s a small part of my job that just has to get done so I do it. Also, I am also a firm believer in working to live, not living to work. My work is just that – work. It doesn’t define who I am, even if I enjoy it a lot!
January 21, 2019 @ 10:24 am
My work doesn’t define me and I have made a conscious effort to create a healthy work/life balance (which is so hard to do when you can work literally 24 hours a day!), and there are aspects of what I do that feel tedious and arduous at times. I would never say that it’s easy just because I love it, but I can sincerely say that working for myself and MY own dreams (rather than building someone else’s) is more fulfilling and has created more joy in my life than I can describe! I am truly grateful for my work and that I can make a living doing something I deeply enjoy.
January 18, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
I’m fortunate to be able to now blog full time – leaving my hospital admin job was the best thing I could have done and the timing was almost perfect. working in a toxic environment for a terrible boss was detrimental to my health – and only became more apparent after I left and immediately felt loads better and completely got off all the migraine meds I had been taking like candy. Blogging definitely is unpredictable but I think that makes it all the more rewarding!
January 21, 2019 @ 10:21 am
Omg yes!! I agree!! The unpredictability makes you push yourself that much harder! SO happy you got out of that terrible environment and reclaimed your health and happiness. Amazing!
January 18, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Great post! I’m a full-time blogger & fortunate enough to do what I love but it hasn’t always been that way. Had some pretty crappy jobs right out of college!
xx,
Steph
http://www.urbanblonde.com
January 21, 2019 @ 10:20 am
Oh yeah, girl! Me and you both! But I feel like those crappy jobs totally helped me to appreciate how great I have it now even more 🙂
January 19, 2019 @ 9:25 am
I’m definitely working towards the ultimate goal of blogging and my online store full time…..but its a work in progress and I know at some point I will get there. Right now I work for a major telecommunications company and I’m sure you can guess which one since they are based out of Atlanta. It is such a toxic position/workplace…………not one person is happy there so we just do our job and leave.
Although one thing that makes it bearable is getting work from home 1-2 days a week. I would probably go insane if it wasn’t for that! And the fact that we get our yearly bonus the first week of March …so I’m counting down the days to that.
I wish I could leave right now but I don’t make enough from my blog yet for that ….but I have a plan in place that will hopefully come into fruition by the end of 2019 🙂
January 21, 2019 @ 10:19 am
Ugh!!! That’s the worst. But I seriously love that you look at the silver lining AND (even more importantly) you have an “end-game” plan in place. You got this boo!!
January 21, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
I like the sentiment, but life is more complicated than just excuses. Sometimes there are those who are talented, who just as hard and still don’t make the cut. That’s business. That’s life.
January 21, 2019 @ 10:56 pm
I don’t think I made it sound like I was boiling something as complicated as the human experience down to excuses here. I’m simply saying that people should pursue their passions and be happy to go to work every day, instead of dreading it. There are plenty of options in any professional field to choose from.
January 22, 2019 @ 11:29 am
This is so encouraging! Love your words!!
January 23, 2019 @ 11:11 am
Thanks, Julia! That means so much to me! I’m glad it spoke to you 🙂