Chasing a Paycheck vs. Chasing Passion:
Is practicality enough?
VOICE & VISION | Work & Purpose
By TLS
I would love to be passionate about work, or a social metric, or some hobby, or something. Unfortunately I’m not. Instead I chase a paycheck. I don’t think there is anything morally wrong with chasing a paycheck. We all need to eat right? It just sometimes can feel a bit underwhelming.
I follow several people who seem to have some level of passion about their chosen subject. I also see others in my local community, and surrounding areas, who seem to have chosen something to push towards. Social, political, cultural, there’s plenty to choose from.
Many that I see, do seem to have some level of personal stake in their chosen game. So I guess that’s pretty good motivation too.
I just seem not to have found my particular hill to climb. I do like paychecks though. Does this make me a bad, shallow, or a selfish person? Maybe. Perhaps I’m just a practical realist? Money helps assure safety, security, health, and comfort. I’m a big fan of all of those.
Besides, if I eventually do well enough there, perhaps I can focus some of those resources towards others, or other social areas. That might have about the same overall effect as being passionate. I guess I’ll just have to keep grinding it out and see where it goes.
Perhaps one day, looking back, I’ll realize the pursuit itself was my passion all along.
Take a moment this week to look at your own work through a wider lens. Ask yourself: what part of what I do actually feels good to me, even if it’s small? Sometimes passion hides inside routine, waiting to be noticed. Write down one moment, task, or interaction that gives you a sense of purpose, even faintly. Keep track of those. Over time, they might just reveal the passion you didn’t realize you already had.
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