Russ Dalbey's Blog

I am a very lucky man. I count my blessings every day. I have a wonderful family, a happy marriage, and a beautiful son.

I also have a job that gives me profound purpose and pleasure. I love what I do. Having a career that is rewarding and fulfilling is one thing that I’m thankful for every day. But it wasn’t always like that for me.

The fact is that many people don’t love what they do. In fact, many people are just plain miserable in their jobs. And that, frankly, is very unfortunate… and unnecessary. You CAN love what you do. You CAN do what you love.

Why don’t more people love what they do for a living? Well, to my mind there are three reasons:

* They choose a career path based on what they thought they should do – or what others tell them they should do – instead of listening to what their own hearts, desires and instincts tell them to do.

* They are afraid to make a change and break out of old, familiar patterns that ultimately are dead ends.

* They haven’t asked – or perhaps even thought about – what it is that they love and really want to do.

It makes sense in a way. It’s easy to get so bogged down by the realities of life – the bills, the deadlines, all of the every day obligations we all face  – that we never stop to ask ourselves what it is that would make us truly happy and fulfilled.

If you’re not sure you’re in the right career, I have some suggestions to help you focus and perceive your situation. Once you’ve really taken an honest look at your life and career, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make things change!

1. Take a break, and reflect. Modern society pressures us to always be “doing something” or going somewhere that we don’t slow down. But remember, it’s in those quiet moments that you can step back and address questions like: What do I love to do? How do I want to spend my day? What gives me pleasure and makes me feel productive and successful?

These kinds of questions you rarely think about can lead to some valuable revelations. Ask and answer these questions from your heart and without fear.

2. Make a list. I am a big fan of goal setting and writing it all down to see it and make it stick. That concept works here as well. Make a two-column list. On one side, list your skills/strengths; on the other, write down your interests (the things you love, enjoy doing).

There’s not much point in thinking “Oh, I’d love to be a lion tamer,” or “I’m interested in being an astronaut” if you don’t have the skills. Your interests/skills list will help you visually see how your skills and your interests intersect. Use it to develop a realistic game plan to pair the two up and decide on a fulfilling career.

3. Follow your bliss. When you know what you want, and once you have a course of action, something amazing happens… the fear is gone. Because when you are doing what YOU love and you have passion and direction, there is nothing to be afraid of. Now, all you have to do is channel that energy to take you where you want to go.

Sometimes the process of finding your ideal life can take a while. Most people can’t just decide to quit their jobs just because they don’t love them; there are bills to pay, kids to feed.

But getting the process going is the important thing, because taking action to consider what you want from life creates momentum, and momentum leads to movement that creates change. One day you will be able to achieve your goals, but you can’t do that without taking the first steps to conceive of a plan.

Once you’ve hit on the life and career that you love, you’ll wake up every morning with a sense of passion and purpose. You will have no dread. You will have no fear. You will feel energy flowing through your body like an electric current. You will look forward to your job.

And your work won’t be work… it’ll simply be a big part of your life that you truly enjoy… something that you are grateful to be able to do every day.
 
Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business