Working for passion or for a living

How many of you prefers to work for passion rather than for a living. And what will that be and why?

Hi, machloe. My passion and my living went together for awhile. I was a professor. But I had to go on disability. I always wanted to be a full-time writer, but I needed someone to bring in the dough!

I drive for a living, so far I've seen most of the USA. It's been very rewarding

For many years, I worked for a living. I put almost 20 of those years into the local newspaper business (circulation and business office). While working at that job, I had the opportunity to work with some folks with disabilities that were supported by others. It became clear to me that I was in the wrong business, so I left the newspaper and went into human services. That was my passion and believe me, it wasn't for the money, there is not a lot of money in human services, at least in what I was doing.

Now, I'm not able to work I sure would love to get back into human services again though. I keep hoping.

Sabby, no job in human services pays very well. It wasn't just your field. Profs in my graduate program used to tell us if we wanted to make big money to get a degree in business, not counseling.

machloe, I've heard the "perfect job" would be one that you were willing to pay to be able to do it. In the real world we need a way to put a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. For 25 years I did what I had a passion for (teaching people to ride and training horses) and barely scraped by. Physical reasons made me change careers. Today I'm a counselor for at risk kids. The job can be very high stress, but it also has tremendous intangible (sp?) rewards. The pay for the job is so-so, but I live a simple life so I don't need much. I guess I'd say that my passion for the work slightly outweighs the monetary rewards.

This is a great thread. I currently work with people who have disabilities and it's both rewarding and stressful work. My passion is working with expectant families, providing labour support, teaching breastfeeding, attending births. I would love to be a midwife or a nurse but this stage of life with three small children and no childcare, it's the wrong time. Have done some doula work on the side which scratches the itch somewhat. It doesn't feel like work to me. That is my passion. Maybe when the kids get older I can go back to school. Midwifery is probably the wrong choice even though I truly believe in the model of care midwives provide because living on-call can be rough for a person with a mood disorder. I need regular sleep to function well. A 9-5 job does that for me. At least as a nurse if I had shift work I could have blocks of time where I knew what my hours were going to be. I so enjoy working with moms and babies.

I'm working for a living right now, so that in the new year I can work for my passion, costuming at Disney World. I'll be barely scraping by for awhile, but it will be worth it in terms of long term career and life goals.

Both, I hope. I have a job that I love doing (it is a creative job) but it has been hard to make ends meet, especially lately. I hate doing "just a job"... so I doggedly keep going after what I love doing even when it's hard. There are others in my field that make a fantastic living, and I hope that will be me someday!

Hi Sabby,
That's nice.. @ least u fulfilled your passion while working.. I am sorry but I am just curious.. why aren't u able to work now?

Hi lizardlady

Just curious u have been teaching people to ride and training horses for 25 years.. Wow that's amazing! Is that 1 of ur passion too? And what actually drives you to made a careers which to become a counselor and not something else.. What sort of challenges did u faced during the change and how did you overcome it? Were ur family members very supportive of ur decision?

Hi Travelinglady

Have u ever thought of being part time or freelance writer instead? And are u happy with ur current career? Possible to link ur current career with being a writer?

thanks for sharing!!
You will never feel tired or bored when u are doing things that u loved.. I remembered I came across this phrase.. "Practice makes perfect, but is the passion that persuades.."

Yea!!! Life is unpredictable... Keep going and who knows one day u will outshine the others in the field...

For me I grew up in an environment whereby most of the adults will brainwashed me to study hard and you will get a well pay job in future.. With money then you will find your passion...
But after I grew up, I don't find that statement true..

For instance, my passion is to become a music teacher or interior designer.. When I was young, my parents didn't enrolled me for any music classes .. The reason because they feel that I should spend more time in my studies.. Then When I was in college and university, I begged my parents to send me to design school but they refused to...

NOW~~ I am slogging everyday in the office.. Doing overtime now and then..

Although the monthly payout is good.. But I never feel happy.. I don't know what I should expect from my career growth.. All I look forward is the pay day...

I always think if I could be bold enough and dare to dream for my passion..

I always think if I could be bold enough and dare to dream for my passion.. I will be a happier person right now...

My plan is to do both. I am on disability right now but going to school with the hopes of getting off of disability within the next 4 years. I had been making money on the side doing what I love, since the age of 19, but unfortunately it doesn't offer me the stability that I need in life. I have struggled so long to find something that fits both being a job that could support me and being something that I love to do. Well, I never really found anything. That's why I'm going the dual route for now, and if the passion takes off and I can support myself with it, then great, but otherwise, it'll just be my second part time endeavor.

Same here, TravelingLady ...

I work for a living. Call me pessimistic, but my experience has taught me the importance of separating work life from regular life. It's not as if I believe jobs should suck or cannot be enjoyed. I've just learned to have my passions be outside of work, to the things I care about. I'd rather have my passion be about my family, hobbies, socializing, personal interests, etc. than work. Work simply serves as an incentive because it gives me what I need (money) to pursue what I really want from life.