When we’re youngsters, we often get asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Usually, the answer to this varies throughout the years growing up. One year we want to be a doctor, the next year a veterinarian, an astronaut and so on. Children tend to name prestigious or popular careers because they sound fun or adults have talked about them quite often.

Does your career guarantee a happy life?

Many times something happens as youth enter high school and begin really considering what career path they want to take. Doctors and veterinarian careers are not as appealing and confusion may set in.

Plenty of youth and adults have a period of time when they are clueless as to what they would love to do for a career and many settle for a job that they think is mediocre, are in it just for the money, or don’t enjoy at all.

Listen to what Greer Garson, winner of the 1943 Academy Award for best actor, had to say about work:

“Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life. Do what you feel you have a flair for doing, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come.”

Money is important in life, as we have to pay bills, care for family, eat, etc. but when we work primarily for money in a job that does not fulfill us, it leaves us feeling stagnant, quite empty, and a less than happy life.

I understand that at some periods in life people may not have a choice and have to work at a place they do not like because they either have not discovered their passions are or can’t find employment in their field.

Is your career contributing to a happy life?

At some point in life though, I think it’s important to sit down and gauge your career and how fulfilled you are in that career.

Do you love what you are doing or have you settled? If you are content and fulfilled, wonderful. But if you are not, I challenge you to begin thinking about doing what it takes to begin doing what you love for a happy life.

For example, if you love painting and would love to be a painter, but are working in retail because you don’t feel like you would make enough money as a painter, I challenge you to change your thinking on that.

I advise you to paint pictures, hone your skills, and little by little see where that takes you. Don’t quit your day job, but on your off time do what you love.

Create a portfolio, set up a table at festivals, art shows, etc. and see what happens. The money will follow your passion and eventually you could find yourself in a spot to paint full-time and let go of the job that does not fulfill you.

I know a woman got laid off from her mental health job and she really did not know what she was going to do for work. She was not enjoying mental health anymore and wanted to do something that she LOVED, but wasn’t sure what that was.

She wanted to work for herself, but she wasn’t sure what she could possibly do. She knew that she loved blogging, so she decided to begin freelance writing.

She delved into the freelance world and within three years she was writing full time and was very pleased with her new job.

She LOVED writing so why not follow her passion and make money at the same time? Today she feels that her career is at the very beginning of a lifelong, prosperous, and fulfilling journey. Yes, her career helps contribute to her happy life.

Plenty of people have given up unfulfilling jobs to go after their passions. At some point in life people begin to question their careers and begin pondering new ones based on their interests and passions. You can too.

You can take classes, hire a Life Coach or Consultant, read books, and then take steps in the right direction.

Don’t allow negative beliefs to hinder you. Discover your passion and purpose. I believe in you. You can create a happy life that you love with time, effort, and perseverance.And the money will follow.

About The Author

This is a guest post by Jon Eborn.