When we were little, one of the first questions we were asked was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most of us responded with a job-related answer. At that age, we perceive happiness as being connected to the professions of the adults around us, whether they are homemakers, lawyers, firefighters, teachers, doctors, and so on.
But what we often fail to ask ourselves, or our younger selves, is what truly brings us joy. In our society, we tend to view the things that bring us joy as childish pursuits that should be left behind in childhood, rather than embraced in adulthood. This mindset stems from the belief that such activities will not contribute to a prosperous future. Typically, these activities are found in creative fields like art, music, literature, or even sports.
When we do this, we move away from our joy and further from our integrity. This is the reason why so many people struggle to find their passion or purpose in their life and their careers. We have set-up our whole lives around finding the right job/career and have never stopped to ask ourselves what brings us joy.
We can find joy in our personal lives and in our careers. You have to go back and remember. Ask yourself these questions:
- What are some things you used to do to bring you joy?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- What is something you like to do that you can do for hours that you don’t even notice time passing?
- If you had no restaurants or restrictions (money, time, or place), what would you do for fun or for a hobby?
There are many paths you can take once you decide to focus on your joy, not just your work. You can combine your joy—your passion—with your career to create something that brings you both happiness and prosperity. Alternatively, you might choose to keep those aspects separate, allowing your passion to remain protected from monetization while your work takes on a different meaning, helping you prioritize your joy.
Just remember to keep your joys in focus. Without them, you may feel like something is missing and that your life isn’t as fulfilling as it could be. If you are young, start nurturing your passions now; if you are older, it's never too late. Embracing your joy could be the key to a more fulfilled life.
Coach Alexandra Murray
Transformational Career Coach
Unleash You Coaching