90,000 hours. That’s how long it’s estimated that we spend at work, so it’s fair to say that your career is one of the most important relationships you will have – and a love worth finding.
And while it’s said that February is the season of love, in terms of our career the real test of love is a Sunday night. On Sundays I see people turn to social media, scrolling for a motivational quote that will coax them to turn up at their desk come Monday morning.
We talk about work/life balance all the time, so shouldn’t we be putting our career to the same test as we would our relationships? Sounds easier said than done, so after more than a decade of helping people get started in their dream career, I want to share with you some of the non-negotiables I’ve noticed when it comes to falling in love with your job.
Passion matters.
Passion doesn’t lie – and it’s not overrated. It’s like a radar that tells us we’re on the right path, that we should keep going. Everything is more exciting in a career (and in love) when there’s passion.
Beware of the ‘safe option’.
What people don’t tell you, is that taking the safe option is like starting a relationship that you know is destined to fail. However, the opposite of safe is risk, so you need to be willing to take one in order to reap the rewards.
Styling wasn’t always something that my friends and family understood in the early days, but as I began to thrive, it was obvious it was the right decision. I was able to find a career that I love, a soulmate relationship you could call it, but it all began with a leap of faith.
Be willing to compromise.
Just like in a romantic relationship, when you’re starting something new there will be an element of compromise as you find your feet. If it’s a dream you’re pursuing, you’re likely going to have to invest the time and money it takes to bring it to life. It will take work, and it might mean reassessing your priorities, but it’s always worth it. And trust me, if you’re passionate about it (see point one) it doesn’t feel like work.
Can it go the distance?
A sign of a great job is one that can turn into a career, not just a short-term fling. You should be able to grow together. Ask yourself; when you look at your current job, can you imagine doing it in 10, 15, 20 years time? Falling in love with what you do is easy when you can see progress.
Think it’s time to ditch your short-term fling for the real deal? Get in touch – we have a team of experts ready to help you start your dream career!
