I’m Never Going To Work Again

{Alright, I’m being a little dramatic!}

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

– Confucius

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve heard that quote a million times. What does it really mean? I mean, really…

As some of you know, in late 2011 I lost a fabulous job at a wonderful company (check out my post about it here) out of the blue. I was left scratching my head while warm tears rolled down my cheeks, wondering what I was going to do next. I did love that job, but looking back it did not fulfill all of my deepest professional desires, even though I truly wanted it to.

So now I’m here, in the third month of 2012. I feel like it’s been a charmed year so far. I am busier than ever. I am happier than ever. I am more fulfilled than ever. Yet, there is a lot of growing to do (not only in my happiness, but financially as well).

Writing makes me one happy camper. It’s so cathartic and I’ve felt the beauty in writing about what I love. It still takes a little getting used to putting myself out there—naked and open-hearted.

Anyway…on to that whole “never work a day in your life” thing again…

When 2012 rolled in, it made me finally look in the mirror. Who am I, really? What do I really want to do? I’m still answering that question. But I know there is an invisible safety working even though I can’t see it.

This post was originally inspired by a snappy article from DailyGood about The Short But Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion. Here are a few ideas from the article on how to find what you love:

1. What are you good at?

2. What excites you?

3. What do you read about? 

4. What have you secretly dreamed of?

5. Learn, ask, take notes

6. Experiment, try

7. Narrow things down

8. Banish your fears

9. Find the time

Simple questions can provide powerful answers. I’ve struggled a lot with finding out WHAT my passion is. Have you? I am going to print these points out and put pen to paper and write down my answers and thoughts. I’ll let them sink in, maybe make some changes, and focus on the positive.

Also, one morning, I stumbled upon a touching segment on the Today Show. Jane Pauley, former Today Show anchor and current journalist for the AARP (yep, I guess I’m an old soul) has a reoccurring segment called “Your Life Calling.” It’s about living your best life after 50 (but it really translates to any age).

Today’s story featured Paul Giannone {Check out his inspiring story here}, a former IT pro turned Brooklyn pizzeria owner. He now owns and operates Paulie Gee’s because he finally allowed himself to do what he really wanted to do. Paul said that he had wished someone had told him to follow his passion when he was young. For me, this was a reminder that now is the time. And for everyone, the timing is always right.

“I wanted to have more out of life,” he says

Don’t well all feel like that? Again, like the above quote from Confucius, it may seem like a lofty and an unattainable statement, but it will happen…if you choose.

Choosing to uncover your passions may feel like a lot of work or it can be scary to take that leap or make that change. Try not to think of it in these ways—just start uncovering more joy in your life. Happiness is a choice.

If you’re at a job you don’t really like, focus on what you do like: maybe it’s the conversations you have with your office mates, maybe it’s when you get to manage a project or travel for business. Focusing on those small, but heart-opening things will bring you growth.

For someone like me, out of work and looking to “get paid to be happy,” I keep writing. I keep envisioning, I keep talking to people and reaching out. And most importantly, I keep a smile on my face and confidence in my heart. It will all work out.

Finally, I believe when you choose happiness—smiles, health, bliss and financial wealth will find you. And when it does—you will never “work” again.