The Pursuit of Happiness & Value

We have been told that if you do what you love, the money and success will follow. A counter point is to identify which skills you have that could be unique and valuable in the workplace, and then hone those skills until you have career capital that you can spend in the way you choose. 

Though some of the following may not be true all of the time, when you love the process of what you do, the following should ring true much of the time:

• You don’t talk about other individuals; you talk about the great things other individuals are doing.

• You help without thinking, or without being asked.

• You don’t struggle to stay disciplined; you struggle to prioritize.

• You’re excited about the job you are doing, but you’re more excited about the people you’re doing it with.

• You leave work with items on your to-do list that you are eager to tackle tomorrow.

• You think, “I hope I get to…” instead of, “I hope I don’t have to…”

• You don’t focus on retirement, because retirement sounds boring – and a lot less fulfilling.

Now, there is a chance that our society may have overdone the need for the above to be true all of the time. We have been told that if you do what you love, the money and success will follow. We have been told that if you are not changing the world in bold ways, it is because you are too afraid to find your passion and follow it.

Author Cal Newport has emerged as one of the more vocal critics of the only-do-what-you-love movement, and says it is time to end the professional guilt trip. In his book, “So Good They Can’t Ignore You”, Newport argues that following one’s passions can be a dead end. He maintains that it’s better to identify which skills you have that could be unique and valuable in the workplace, and then hone those skills until you have career capital that you can spend in the way you choose. Developing career capital requires a carefully balanced mix of deliberate action and patience. If you are in a self-directed professional environment and are responsible for carving your own path, take responsibility for the direction in which you are heading – and what you need from others to get there. Do not wait for someone to come along who can help; be proactive in seeking out those who can provide mentorship and guidance along the way.

Many leadership teams are concerned about burn out in their teams right now, if you are responsible for developing career capital in others, incorporate this exercise in ongoing or annual reviews. Always be aware of the following question: “what I am I doing to help others identify their competitive advantages, and how am I providing opportunities for those strengths to turn into eventual career capital.”

Finding People Who Make a Difference

People are our most valued asset, and for more than 20 years, Madison Wells has been committed to finding people who make a difference for our clients.