A real match in career can mean better performance, better relationships with people (customers, bosses, colleagues) that lead to a better network of opportunities. It can also mean that less time and energy and money is spent compensating – the doctor and blood pressure drugs and psychologist to deal with your “stress,” that extra glass of wine every night, and so on.

True, but I’d say that one of Smith’s biggest contributing idea was that the motivations of the individual weren’t necessarily in conflict with the goals of society. I think this applies here as well.

-Scott

Very good article. I’m thankful that I have a job that I love. It makes life so much better. Certainly there are times when I don’t love every part of my job, but in general I’m happy I have it and wouldn’t leave if I had all the money in the world. Having said that, I may consider working a little less!

People that don’t have a job they love should start to work towards being able to leave it. It doesn’t have to happen immediately. I find that working from home provides people great opportunities to develop alternative sources of income – usually on a part-time basis. Eventually this can help people be free.

On another note, I don’t think you have Adam Smith right in your comment above – Smith didn’t really argue that “selfish actions” would contribute to the greater good, rather he argued that “rational self-interest” would do that under the right conditions. There is an important difference between those two concepts. Smith also wrote on “moral sentiments” where he spoke about individual responsibilities (in a moral sense).

Point taken. Two comments:

1) The question isn’t whether you should trade working for a living and doing something you enjoy but has absolutely no financial value. The question is whether you should settle for a job that doesn’t satisfy you, just because you have a paycheck. I think many people have bought into the idea that work is something barely tolerable, so there isn’t much point continuing to explore other options, or working to build towards a career that is satisfying.

My argument isn’t in favor of abandoning work to go live in a commune. Instead, I think people should strive for both (satisfaction and finances). Obviously, material considerations need to come first, but they shouldn’t lock you out of pursuing satisfaction in your job.

2) Actually, the free-market system is based exactly on that. Individuals each following their dreams (in which financial wealth is a big part) and as a result, contributing to the whole. Adam Smith was a revolutionary thinker because he proposed that selfish actions of individuals could contribute to the greater good. So, no, I’m not worried that a shift to find satisfying work will destroy the world economy.

What do you think $10,000 would do for a 70-something, diabetic retiree on medicare? Now, what would that same $10,000 do for a wet-behind-the-ears recent college grad with absolutely no clue about managing money?

I offer a hefty dose of pragmatism against the idealistic rhetoric stuffed into this post. Money provides solutions to problems and security that cannot be realized in any other way. Sorry, but it’s the truth.

We also live (at least in the U.S.) in a capitalist, free-market economy where a rising tide lifts all ships. If everyone ‘followed their dreams’ at the expense of a thinner bank account, we’d ALL be worse for it.

Don’t forget…the allure of individual wealth is a large contributor to what FOUNDED this nation (immigrants wanting prosperity and land for themselves, etc.).

I’m a new reader of yours and couldn’t stop the urge to comment on this article. I also asked a similar question to my readers, it was: If you had been guaranteed to have your current monthly income no matter what you do, what would have you done ? If the answer is anything short of ‘Continue what I’m doing right now’ then you should change your career

I think the answer is whether you can honestly say “I’d do this even if I wasn’t getting paid.” That is my definition of love for your work. I don’t think it’s a strict yes or no (there are degrees). But I think that’s a good place to start.

-Scott

I wrestle with this to a degree. I really like what I do, but I’m not sure I love it. Does that make the decision harder? I think so. But, the key is to spend spare time devleoping the skills that relate to what you really love to do – as you alluded to above.

I agree, and it’s a topic I’ve wanted to cover in an article. Often the choices you make to follow your own convictions separates you from the status quo. This happens with professions, and also other choices in life. I’ve decided the benefits of doing what I feel is right outweighs any social discomfort, but it’s still an interesting problem.

Generally if you’re successful enough people stop considering you as an outsider but someone to be followed. Nobody said the universe didn’t have some irony.

-Scott