The pros and cons of merging your passion with work
Many of us, sometimes as early as elementary school, encounter the age-old question: What is your dream job? Having a job is an inevitable part of life, so most people hope to pursue a career they’re passionate about. After all, in the words of Confucius himself, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
But how much of that is true? Are dream jobs entirely as they seem? The allure of having a job combining both passion and profit may distract us from its reality.
In 2021, a survey by Moneypenny revealed that just seven per cent of American respondents had their dream job. This means the remaining 93 per cent consider themselves to be working in careers that don’t fully interest them. But – is that really so bad?
In the end, what it boils down to is two things. One, you make your passion your career. Or, two, you choose a job that allows you to spend time on your passion outside of work.
Before deciding which path is right for you, let’s discuss some pros and cons of chasing your dream job.
The pros
You earn money doing what you love
Perhaps the most appealing part of a dream job is the promise of being paid to do what you love. Instead of relying on a separate income to fund your hobbies or passions, you can merge the two. Although there’s no guaranteeing your dream job will bring in the big bucks – money is still money. At the end of the day, you get to do what you love and receive a paycheque for it. Most people don’t have the luxury of experiencing that.
You’ll feel fulfilled
Not everyone views their job solely as a source of income. Going through the motions can be tiring, especially if you feel there’s very little payoff. It’s important to find purpose in what you do – to feel fulfilled in the workplace. When you’re proud of your work, it shows.
According to Indeed, a fulfilling job “enables someone to apply their talents, interests and values to their work.” What better way to find that fulfillment than through doing what you love? Utilizing your talents and interests in your career sends you on your way to a happy, purposeful work experience.
The cons
A dream job is still a job
We get so caught up in the glamour of it all. Some of us may forget that, at its core, a dream job is still a job. You might have co-workers you don’t get along with or assignments that aren’t of interest to you. Inevitably, there will be Monday mornings filled with dread or paycheques without enough zeros at the end. Although you may be doing something you love, it’s important to recognize that no job is perfect. You will have to learn to accept both the good and bad if it’s something you truly want. The ratio between the two may end up being your deciding factor.
All work and no play
Hobbies are something we turn to for enjoyment. Many of us partake in them of our own accord, simply because they make us happy. But when you turn that hobby into your job, what do you do in your spare time? You may discover that your hobbies start to feel like you’re taking your work home. It’s no longer an activity you can engage in on your own time – it’s your 9-to-5. This regularity could cause burnout, making you less inclined to devote leisure time to a hobby that’s now your job. To cope, you may find yourself eager to discover a new passion. There’s nothing wrong with having a career you love and a hobby you enjoy separately.
Overall, your dream job may be out there, but remember, not every day at that job will be a dream. Consider the pros and cons of merging your passion with your career before deciding it’s the right move for you.
Passions make us who we are. They drive us and make our days meaningful. However, they don’t have to define our work. Understand that the two things can be separate and just as fulfilling. This perspective can help create passion-fueled lives in whatever way works best.