Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Love What You Do...

And you'll never have to work a day in your life. Hey there, Parker here. That sentiment is spot on and I was recently reminded of that truth while reading Tacoma Perry's article "Turning Your Passion into Profit," My Fox 5 Atlanta (01/06/2011).

I get paid to do what I love – web production and content management. Second only to playing Monopoly and CIV 4, I consider my web career a fun way to spend my time.

I don’t need to be the boss to have job satisfaction. I don’t strive to manage teams of direct reports. My ambition is to be as efficient and talented a web manager as possible and to be a reliable, valuable individual contributor on a team.

Often deemed mundane tasks, I take comfort in the whole process.
  • analyzing metrics
  • create content in a wysiwyg editor
  • editing content in a CMS template
  • selecting the right image
  • layout of copy and imagery
  • reviewing and publishing

I measure my day in productivity, not hours, and providing valuable service to my clients and colleagues. The icing on the cake is that I am paid for doing what I love to do.

Years ago I wrote down a list of my strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement, salary history and where I wanted to be in 5-10 years. It was my personal business plan for 'me' and that plan led me to where I am today. I continue to assess my skills, marketability and profitability using the SWOT and it serves to reinforce that I am on the right track and I'm happy with my chosen career.

I may not wake up clicking my heels and jumping for joy at the idea of sitting my car for my daily 1hr, 15 min commute (each way). But once I enter the building, I walk with high-heel confidence; I flash my genuine lip-glossed smile to all, then I turn on my pc knowing the fun has only just begun.

Loving what you do makes your day feel like this

The daily grind, the mundane task of doing what I have to do is not work at all, it is great way to spend my time. My answer to Ms. Perry’s first line of the article is “yes, what I do to live is what I love to do.”

Now, folks, take a moment to read the article and ask yourself  "is what you do to live what you love to do, too?"

Best,
Parker