I was recently speaking with a friend. They told me about the experiences they were having with their job.

“Do you enjoy it?” I asked.

“Enjoy? That’s probably a bit strong.”

“What would make it more enjoyable?”

“If it wasn’t so cut throat. If we had more time to create meaningful client relationships. If the environment was more encouraging.”

If you’ve ever worked in or around a corporate service-driven organisation, you’ll understand the reality my friend is describing.

What came next hit me hard.

“I’m so far into this career, there is no turning back. I’ve made my choice. It pays the mortgage. I can tolerate it. I need to stick it out.”

Can you relate to ever feeling this way?

The Reality

I’ve worked in a number of jobs that offered very little inspiration. At times, it can feel like there is nowhere to turn to.

At one of my formers jobs, I needed to take a couple of weeks off at the end of every financial year. I put so much energy into the job, the goals, and the numbers, I forgot to take care of myself.

I remember feeling empty. I was completely dis-interested with life. I couldn’t see a way out.

There’s always a way out.

On each occasion I spoke to the people I worked with. The willingness to discuss my health, and then propose creative solutions often surprised me. I didn’t expect my feelings to be listened to with such care.

I eventually realised that my passion lie elsewhere, and (even later) accessed the courage to pursue a life that fulfils me.

Why Does it Matter?

You get up every morning to pour your sweat and tears into a vocation that doesn’t fulfil you. So what?

The job pays you a decent salary, gives you a few weeks holiday to relax and enjoy yourself every year, and saves for your retirement. What’s the problem?

I’ll try to explain the problem.

You didn’t come here to worry about mortgages, or retirement savings, or to stress over your increasingly complicated compensation plan.

You came here to thrive. You came to create. You came to live your life and feel alive every day.

Sticking at a job or career that doesn’t light you up is a fear-based reaction.

• Fear that you won’t be able to make it
• Fear that you don’t have enough talent
• Fear that you can’t handle the intensity of a new challenge
• Fear that you’ll be ridiculed for walking away from something ‘steady’

The fear is real. I understand it. I feel it myself on a daily basis.

Why go through the fear?

There are two big reasons.

1) Life is short.

It can all be taken away from you in an instant.

Even if you live a long life, it goes by quickly.

My father worked way into his 60’s doing jobs that brought very little enjoyment. He saved for a long and enjoyable retirement. He suffered from dementia not long after he retired and passed away a few years later.

Many of my clients have had multiple heart or other life-saving surgeries before they turned 40.

You don’t need to look too far to find a tragic story of someone who’s life was cut way too short.

Life is a temporary gift. Embrace that gift with both hands.

2) Life is supposed to be a little scary.

Whoever told you that the objective of life is to get through it without encountering any real stress or heartache or terror, lied to you.

This world we inhabit is a dangerous place. It has always been a scary place.

Our ancestors had to survive all the dangers of living alongside other animals who wanted to eat them. And not far away was a neighbouring tribe who wanted to kill all their men, rape all their women, and steal all their children.

Today, the danger you face is predominately from other humans who ridicule the way you look, and mock the things you care for the most. In doing so they play on your deepest fears and biggest insecurities.

The physical danger you face might be limited, but the psychological threat is just as paralysing as that felt by your ancestors.

You might be surprised to hear that all of the most successful people on this planet are regularly plagued by fear. Fear does not distinguish.

You can’t avoid it.

Even if you could, I’d choose a life living on the edge of fear over a dull unfulfilling existence any day of the week.

How about you? Where do you need to turn and face your fear?