Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
My mom recently took a trip on Southwest Airlines, and she tore an article out of their in-flight magazine for me to read. It was called “The Pursuers,” and it had the subtitle: Why a second (or third) job could be the secret to career happiness. The article tells the stories of four people, ages 31-76, who have taken on more than one career in order to live the most fulfilling life possible. Each of them has different ways of maintaining balance in their busy lives, and their jobs definitely span the spectrum, but they all have one thing in common: they’re happy. Sure, they may be a little unconventional, but I think that’s a big part of why they’re so happy. Heck, one guy’s a musician and an astrophysicist…how cool is that?!
All of this out of the box thinking, got me thinking. Maybe the solution to unhappiness in the workplace isn’t quitting our job, throwing caution to the wind, risking everything and starting over. If we like our job, but don’t love it, maybe we just need to take on another job, or a hobby, that lets us spend time doing what we’re truly passionate about. I certainly commend and admire the people who take a leap of faith and start over in order to pursue something they love. But, in this economy, not everyone can afford to do that…and even in a better economy, some people might not want to. That’s totally okay.
I have a great job, but I don’t write as much as I’d like to. That’s part of why I started this blog. I also love to copy edit. Finding and correcting grammatical and sentence structure errors makes me smile. Strange, I know. But, I really do enjoy it. So, I’ve found ways to get my editing fix, occasionally reading over blog posts and e-books for friends. And yet, I’m not sure that’s enough. After reading this article, I think I might follow the example of the pursuers, and seek out some freelance work. If a 76-year-old man can be an assemblyman and a lifeguard, I think I can handle some writing and editing on top of my 9-5.
So, I want to hear from you. Do you have more than one job? How do you maintain balance? Why did you decide to take on another job? How do you integrate what you’re passionate about into your everyday life?
Photo Credit
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
Comments
06.02.10
Great idea, go for it! Whatever makes you smile. Yes, I have a day job and by night I indulge my love of writing and design. I can't imagine any other way.
06.02.10
For a year and a half I worked at a cycle shop on top of my marketing job. I began the job for extra finances; however, I stayed because the job made me happy! Yes, come 4:30 it was time to "shut" off my marketing brain to have an evening of spreading my love of cycling!!!
Recommendation to get a hobby, job, anything that encompasses your passion.
06.02.10
For a year and a half I worked at a cycle shop on top of my marketing job. I began the job for extra finances; however, I stayed because the job made me happy! Yes, come 4:30 it was time to "shut" off my marketing brain to have an evening of spreading my love of cycling!!!
Recommendation to get a hobby, job, anything that encompasses your passion.
06.02.10
Hey Samantha - My own experience in trying to build a blog and site on the side is that it has given me great joy on one end (taking action on my ideas) and some frustration on the other (wishing I were writing and creating during the hours when I am working my traditional job).
So the secret may be that each job you do has to reach into a core need or passion. If one of the 2 or 3 is just a job, it may be hard to stay afloat!
Thanks for sharing that . . .
06.03.10
I just had my teaching job cut to half time so that I can pursue running my own personal training center. Just getting started, so I don't know yet how it's going.
08.01.10
Great post! I've been thinking along these lines too--that maybe I'd rather have a life than a career. My job is good enough, but I never feel like myself more than on Saturdays and Sundays, when I practice my cello for a couple hours, take a break, practice some more, etc. I don't play professionally, so it's not a second job, but it's a first passion. And my job is a perfect fit, because I never have to take work home so it doesn't get in the way of my life. Works for me so far.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
