Crazy, right?
But that excitement can sometimes stem from the wrong places – fun coworkers, office events, superficial things that disguise themselves as a passion for the job. Where does the work fit in? How do we know if we truly love what we do?
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the environment you work in. Good coworkers and office morale is 100% valuable to your concept of what you do. But it can become a problem if it’s made to be the most important part of your job.
The career you choose should make you excited – regardless of who you’re working with or where you’re working from. I change locations on a daily basis – from working in a coffee shop to sitting on the couch with my laptop, I find joy in the work I produce rather than the environments I find myself in. How else could I expect to move forward in the industry? What if I had to totally relocate or a coworker I bonded with quit? My motivation for doing what I do is internal, not external. I push myself, I dedicate time and energy, and I truly love the work I invest myself in.
Take the time to evaluate what it is you love about your job. If superficial elements like coworkers or happy hour are the things that keep you coming in each morning, I would reconsider the career path you’ve chosen. If you really love the work you do, that joy will follow you anywhere – both in and out of the office.
