Doing what you love for a living???

[RIJIMMY]

Anyone? Sure there are bad days at whatever you do, but did anyone "follow their dream" and succeed?

In relative terms I suppose I'm succesful but I struggle with the big questions and wonder if I'm wasting precious time. The older I get the less I focus on this but it still haunts me....kids, house, steady job. I wish I could make a living doing what I love, I just havent found the right thing.

[BigFish]

I think alot of people try to make a living out of the thing they love doing the most....and then, when they gotta make a living at that which they used to love.....they find it just takes all of the enjoyment out of it. Then what do they do in their leisure time???? Guaranteed it is not that which they used to love doing because now they are doing it to make a buck and they want to get away from it and relax! Don't mix your business with your pleasure RIJimmy, it will take all of the fun out of it.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Not to hi-jack but this reminds me of an episode of Cheers. The one where Norm gets hired as a Taster at the local Brewery. One of the best episodes of Cheers ever. That was him following his dream.

[Jimbo]

Those are some wise words, BigFish. I never really thought about it that way. Sort of like "too much of a good thing..." I am so far removed from what I first intended my life's work to be and yet nowhere close to doing anything I would say I really love for a living, but I'm content in my worklife because it provides for my family, my house, what I need and also what I love doing outside work. So in a sense I guess I like my work because it affords me the opportunity to do what I love outside work. Had I taken my guidance counselor's advice and become a park ranger, maybe gotten the CC National Seashore detail, I might feel differently.

[Nebe]

Words of wisdom from Big Fish... I chose my carreer because I really loved it and now its a job. Its a cool job and I enjoy it, but there are days when I wonder what the hell I am doing

RIJIMMY remember some people are so hungry for success that they never stop and realize how successful they are already.

[Homerun04]

Jimmy - your timing could not have been better for this question....I am struggling BIG TIME with this issue. In fact, I was offered two HUGE jobs in the past 5 weeks, (6 figure salaries with comp into high 2's at plan, with no limit on total earnings - both companies are very large firms, with full bene's including pensions), but at the last minute my driving record (of all *^%#$ things) screwed me up....I got unlucky a few years back and got a few speeding tickets....like driving 45 mph in a 35 mph zone.....no big deal, right? Well it is.....it cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result.

I keep telling myself maybe it just wasn't meant to be, and the travel I would have to have done would have taken me away from my two daughters too much......but damn.......it really has me thinking about life, etc.

(In fact, I ran to the WW this afternoon just to cast and think about life......I wasn't expecting any action, and got none)...

[cheferson]

I love my job 95% of the time. Ive been cooking for about 9 years now. ALways have a fun time really laid back. Plus the last 3 years ive been in an outside kitchen at the mouth of the bay facing the newport bridge, which is unbelievable. Nothing like working a 14-15 hour day then sitting down in an adirondack chair throwing a few beers back to the sound of a massive school of slurping stripers 40 feet away .

[MAC]

Most of the time my job is so-so. Sometimes I really hate it. But I have been doing it for over 20 yrs and the money is good when there is work. Would I do this all over again (job wise), probably not.

[capesams]

born neither rich nor handsome I had to get a reel job cause fishing doesn't cut it when it comes to making $$...I had a dream of owning a tackle shop some day, but the old lady won't have it. I'd call it slippy sylver's swap shop.

[mikecc]

I had a dream of owning a tackle shop some day

If you like long hours and little to no fishing it's not bad. Like any carpenter and landscaper you have to learn to budget from those long winters. I like what I do and enjoy the people, which come thru the door. Mostly I like to help young kids and enjoy seeing a smile on their faces when they catch fish.

[Karl F]

work, lessee, thats w-o-r-k... does not spell fun= f-u-n... OK?

CS, tackle shop... looked in yer celler lately?

lets both quit and take up sand eelin!

[RIJIMMY]

Not just saying doing what you love, but getting something from your job other than a paycheck. Spending 10 hours a day for the nexy 30 years for 4 weeks vacation just isnt right.
You only get one shot, I always thought I was too good to sit in a cube for the rest of my life. I'm just wondering if anyone said screw the corporate or establised world and was successful at it or is everyone tied to the 8-6 world.

I

[beachwalker]

It takes all kinds of people to make this world go round.

I am just happy that I am not swayed by all the useless crap on the tube. People may say some of us spend too much time on the computer but there aren't anywhere near as many ads and a far more selective and broad median is available for the using.

Life is work for most of us and I think many are most pleased with the fact that we have things like fishing to sooth our weary souls.

[Billybob]

You young fella's looking should learn from my mistakes.
When I went to college, I wanted to be a marine biologist.When I got there, I was told that you would never make much $ doing that, and you would have to go to grad school (which I figured I couldn't afford) - so I switched to finance.
20 years later, I have a decent paying upper management position - AND I HATE IT.
Once you get in this deep, it's impractical to start over.
Follow your dreams while you're young - DON'T worry about the money.You learn to live on what you make just like you learn to spend what you make - quality of life is a whole nuther thing.
I tell my kid's that if you like what you do, you'll be good at it, and if you're good at it, the money will come.
Bill

[smooth53_98]

I echo what Billybob says... once you are in that job too long, it becomes tough to switch. I really get no enjoyment out of my job at all, but I can't switch now with a mortgage and car payments and a wife in grad school. If I had just done what I wanted to do from the start and not worried about the money, I think I'd be happier and not a desk jockey for the rest of my life. Then again, would I have gotten bored or disgruntled with what I had wanted to do? Even though I hate my job, I try to make the best of it... at least it hasn't been outsourced to India.... yet.

[Krispy]

I always thought I was too good to sit in a cube for the rest of my life. I'm just wondering if anyone said screw the corporate or establised world

Im working on it

I have a decent paying upper management position - AND I HATE IT.

Once you get in this deep, it's impractical to start over.

Im on the cusp, gotta get out

Life is work for most of us and I think many are most pleased with the fact that we have things like fishing to sooth our weary souls.

Sad, I hope my life wont be defined by my job

Would I do this all over again (job wise), probably not.

Ditto

RIJimmy, dont let anyone tell you cant love what you do and look forward to going to work. Its a lie.
Hold tight to your convictions, when you love doing something, it shows and people want others (to hire, purchase from, etc.) who love what they do

[MrsSFrances]

what do you wanna be when you grow up?


2 years ago i got my head out of my butt and got my GED, being pregnant with our 3rd child and seeing my husbands job market going down the toilet, i needed to go to college.....

I am an artist and love what I do, so I figured I would go to college to become a Graphic Designer......I am still in college and still dont know if this is the right road I chose.....

I always wanted to become a tattoo artist, took my artwork around, but no one would take me in for an apprenticship.....and if they did I had to pay around 5 grand to be trained...

I still want to become a tattoo artist, but Graphic Designer will have to do for now.....

I just find it so awesome to see someone with my artwork on them, I have designed tattoo's for many people and they always show me when they get it done.....I feel so honored

I would just love to be the one putting that artwork on them.....


So in all doing what you love for a job, if it makes you happy...just do it

[beachwalker]

OOH, don't do that to us girl !

You have talent and are definetly heading in the right direction.

[MrsSFrances]

ahhh heres where you wanted to post....well thank you....

[bloocrab]

I have to agree with Karl on this one.

Work is called work for a reason. It's what we have to do in order to survive. If asked, "Would you still work if you hit the Lottery?"....most say NO. That is because regardless of their occupation, they would much rather be doing something they wanted to do as opposed to something they have to do. Big difference there...and quoting the Hi-Jacker ,

....and then, when they gotta make a living at that which they used to love.....they find it just takes all of the enjoyment out of it. Then what do they do in their leisure time???

....Very wise point, ...what ends up happening is...you start saying to yourself, "this feels too much like work" and don't find enjoyment in it anymore. It's a never ending battle...there is no compromise. For me, I have to be content with how I make a living, I don't have to love it...I just can't hate it. There are however, some exceptions. My better half LOVES her job...(hairdresser)...toward the end of a vacation, she's quick to say...."I can't wait to get back to work, I miss it" I WILL NEVER MISS BEING AT WORK!!.... I'm not sure if it's the social life that comes with being a hairdresser, the job itself.....or just getting away from me. ....[SIZE=1/2]you keep on working honey, I'll keep on fishing...[/SIZE]

Bottom line is, you don't have to love what you do.......you just can't hate what you do. If it pays the bills and allows you to do those things you love doing during your off-time....your doing ok in my book.

[Jimbo]

This is such a though provoking thread with such sincere responses I find myself sitting here (at work) reflecting on just how I got where I am today. It's not unlike Billybob, I also have 20 years with the same company, except in a rather specialized discipline I l;earned by doing, not by education, thus also in so deep it's impractical to start over. If it was that bad I wouldn't have made it this far. I wouldn't say to anyone looking, that they should learn from my mistakes, because I chose the path I'm on. Maybe it's not the ideal one and I will never be a big in the company, nor take home the mega-salary, but it pays the bills, I go home to and am a big part of my family every night, and I feel rewarded at work by the respect I get from the people I work with and for, and anytime I want I can start up something on the side I truly enjoy. I don't know that loving one's life work is necessary to be satisfied in it, but if you truly hate your work and that hatred spews outside work to your personal life, now maybe there's a reason to start considering other options. Basically, I 'm a firm believer in "The work ethic"; I work because work is good, it provides, I don't live outside my means and I don't let myself get jealous of rich neighbors and friends and overall, that makes me happy. (I'm also not unlike Capesams, born neither rich nor handsome, so a career in runway modeling was definitely out of the question). Well, it's two hours since I got to work now, I guess I should post this and start having some fun.

[chris L]

the way I see it is . they pay me to be here , If I loved it I would be doing it for free . NOT ! I hate my job , my employer and my pay check .

I wouldnt want to be a commercial fisherman . fishing is my fun and relaxation .
I wouldnt want to own a tackle store for exactly why MikeeCC descibed .

I wouldnt want to be a TV fisherman . they are all richards and it makes fishing a job .

I want to win enough money for me and my wife to retire and enjoy our life together . Havent seen her in 3 months other than in passing . Im trying ! between lottery , ponies and casino .

my dream as a kid was to be a circus clown , unfortunately I forgot the circus part .

[BigFish]

Huh, huh....Richards!

[Homerun04]

Okay, here's an idea.......we all share pretty much the same thoughts on this subject, and obviosuly, we all love fishing - which is our common bond. Most of us probably would get along pretty well if we were to meet in person.

Why not, then, start helping each other...?? In other words, maybe we can get an S-B support group going for members who are looking to go into another career field? I am sure we have enough loyal folks here that cover a whole host of jobs/careers. We should network amongst ourselves.

Just a thought....

Your thoughts..??

[goosefish]

When I was a commerical fisherman I developed some nasty habits; the habits soon became addictive. I've been clean now for close to five years. This was a job (cleaning up) and i hated it. But now that I've got a moderatly clean head, I can look back and say: No when I was staggering around the dock, that was a job--it's a full-time career being wasted!

[mrmacey]

Im looking for a partner if transportation services is where your love is at give me a call 1-508-822-8800 Ill go over all the details Im looking to expand into another field of this business Im in and need a partner and capital to do it I have a vision 10-12k monthly with this type vehicle a rolling atm remember I offered here first. and no not a real atm but a vehicle that will bring in the cake like a rolling atm!!!

[mrmacey]

My dream addition to the MsM Exec fleet and in this case dreams do come through. soon.

[smooth53_98]

Homerun04 has a pretty good idea, fellow fishermen can't be all that bad...

I work for a large GC/CM based in NJ. We do some work in NJ, NY, PA, MD, CT, OH, Manitoba, and Puerto Rico. We are always looking for field engineers, estimators, purchasers, project managers, supers, safety managers, and accountants. I can't promise you a job, but I can get your resume to the right people here. PM me if you are interested or have any questions.

My wife once asked me what would I really want to do if I could do anything I wanted. I told her that I didn't think there was much call for an alcoholic fishing boat captain who handicaps horse races.

[BigFish]

Mr Macey....put a cooler/rod rack on the front of that bad boy and I can do dune tours and fishing charters down Race Point. That the kind of rolling ATM your thinking about? If so let me know.

[Billybob]

You could put a hot tub in that sucker