Have you ever woken up with a burning question about the joy and purpose behind your work? My professor once challenged me with such an inquiry, sparking a personal quest that led from the corporate realm to the service industry, and finally, into the arms of podcasting. In this heartfelt episode, I open up about the remarkable lessons learned along the way, including how serving others taught me the true value of humility and passion. Explore with me the essence of finding satisfaction in our daily grind, across any career—from the hands-on world of service to the halls of education and beyond. Uncover the rewards that go beyond paychecks, as we celebrate the unique motivations that drive us forward in our professional lives.
This discussion isn't just theory; it's woven with the threads of real-life stories and scriptural wisdom, offering a compass for those seeking fulfillment in their labor. Whether you're working to satisfy personal ambitions or to provide for your loved ones, insights from Ecclesiastes and Colossians shed light on the intersection of work and happiness. We all face professional hurdles, but with perseverance, self-care, and a willingness to adapt, we can navigate the complexities of our careers. By aligning our work with our personal values, we find a path to joy and a deeper connection to the impact we make. So, as you step into your own odyssey of passion and purpose, let this episode be a guidepost to a more meaningful and satisfying journey.
Have you ever woken up with a burning question about the joy and purpose behind your work? My professor once challenged me with such an inquiry, sparking a personal quest that led from the corporate realm to the service industry, and finally, into the arms of podcasting. In this heartfelt episode, I open up about the remarkable lessons learned along the way, including how serving others taught me the true value of humility and passion. Explore with me the essence of finding satisfaction in our daily grind, across any career—from the hands-on world of service to the halls of education and beyond. Uncover the rewards that go beyond paychecks, as we celebrate the unique motivations that drive us forward in our professional lives.
This discussion isn't just theory; it's woven with the threads of real-life stories and scriptural wisdom, offering a compass for those seeking fulfillment in their labor. Whether you're working to satisfy personal ambitions or to provide for your loved ones, insights from Ecclesiastes and Colossians shed light on the intersection of work and happiness. We all face professional hurdles, but with perseverance, self-care, and a willingness to adapt, we can navigate the complexities of our careers. By aligning our work with our personal values, we find a path to joy and a deeper connection to the impact we make. So, as you step into your own odyssey of passion and purpose, let this episode be a guidepost to a more meaningful and satisfying journey.
Hey, welcome to the bartender's perspective. I'm so happy to have you here. Work is done for the day. Pull up a chair, have a seat, I'll pour you a drink and let's get started. And tonight's podcast.
Speaker 1:
I want to talk about the question of doing what you're doing as far as a job, a profession or a career. You know what's your motivation. You know what drives you. You know I'm going to offer my thoughts. You know people out in the world, some scriptural examples you know, got to get those on there and you know my final thoughts. So my professor, he posed a question one time for us to think about and when it was finally time for us to go out into the real world. It was profound and I have never forgotten what he said. The question was the next time we were on our way to work, when we stopped at the stoplight to look at the person on the car next to us and take a moment to look at them and see if they're happy. We obviously wouldn't truly know where they were going. But I now know it was more about us thinking about being happy in life with what we are doing, and is it something we would wake up looking forward to doing every day.
Speaker 1:
Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives working, so why not strive to make it something that brings us joy? Finding passion in your career isn't always a straightforward process, but it is definitely worth the effort. Are you in a job right now that pays well, but something is missing in your life that you want, but you're just not sure what it is? Are you in a job that you don't like, but you need to pay your bills, but you just don't see anything else at the present because you honestly don't know or fathom what it is? Maybe you've been doing different jobs throughout the years that you did for a while and moved on to something else because you're searching for something. Maybe you have something, but you're just feeling, feeling it out as you go along. Maybe you've been doing one job your whole life and you don't really know anything else. Are you in it for the money or are you looking for purpose, to be driven with what you're doing? Discovering your purpose in your professional life it can change your life. Exploring the idea that your job can be more than just a means to an end can be a pathway to living a life of purpose.
Speaker 1:
I can tell you myself that I have been in and out of the corporate world, but most of it was in the service industry. I used to wonder what was the big picture because I just couldn't see it. I look back on it now and I now know all of it happened because I needed to find this moment as I was writing this episode. The service industry taught me to be humble. It taught me to appreciate what I have and how I got here. It provided me a place where I could find my passion for life and my passion for changing the lives of others for the better.
Speaker 1:
It took me a while to develop this perspective. I'd rather than go to work and just make my money. I Go to work now, excited to meet new people. You know see my regulars, you know and whose life can I change today? My mother once told me long ago that I can't save the world, and she's right. You know that job is best looked up to the Almighty to sort that out, but what I can do is try to change it. I may or may not succeed, but I can try.
Speaker 1:
My profession gave me the perspectives of many people that made it possible for me to be a podcaster. Today I'm exploring several other options Of things that I can do, as my podcasting is not yet big enough so I can continue. Another dream I have to do some travel, both national and internationally, so I can explore how are the parts of the country and of the world live. I Want to do this so I could continue to give my perspective by learning about other people's perspectives and their way of life beyond the bar counter. People from all walks of life have their own unique, special journey that sets them apart with the things that drive them forward. I Admit I used to think years and years ago you know, from the perception that if someone was not working some fancy corporate job that made a lot of money, with health benefits and options for retirement, they weren't happy doing what they were doing. And I gotta tell you I could not have been more wrong in that perception. Whether you're working as a fast food burger flipper, barista, server, sanitation worker, banker, lawyer, teachers, social worker, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, I want to explore finding that passion and that drive Within whatever it is that you are doing that is going to be unique to whatever current job or career that you're in. You know, for people in the social services profession, if some of the decisions that they have to make or the actions that they have to take, you know, are less than favorable, but necessary nonetheless my experience from interacting with them and learning from them. You know the pay is not very good on the hours along, but their reward is making a difference and improving the quality of life for other people who are less fortunate or who have fallen in hard times and they don't see her have a way out.
Speaker 1:
I work at the young lady. She's a middle school teacher. She's teaching and shaping the young minds for our future. You know she's passionate about, passionate about what she does. She works on lessons plans and you know she's grading tests while she works alongside me. See a fire in her for life and I'm convinced she'll go far in this world.
Speaker 1:
I Used to have a regular in her husband who were both school teachers. You know they worked at the YMCA and they even had fun at the Lego store on their list of jobs and things they like to do. They were driven with their passion for changing and shaping young lives, giving back to the community at the Y, you know, putting a smile on the faces of the young and the older people that came to the Lego store, you know, looking for that next project or needed to find solace in building something in pieces. They were creatures of habit as far as dining out. They used to call the restaurant religiously right before we closed, with their usual orders so they could be in and out when they arrived. Now I'll be honest, I didn't like it at first as they came so late, but then I understood really quickly that the hours of their day were so long that this was the only opportunity they would get to see each other and sit down and have a meal at the end of the day on their own time. Once I learned this, you know, I looked forward to getting their call. They taught me so much about how to live your life with purpose and drive. Now they embody the very essence of this episode.
Speaker 1:
I Remember back during the COVID lockdown, many companies either shut down or they moved forward with keeping their companies afloat. A Lot of them shut their doors, but many endured at that time Out of their respect to the restaurant group. I won't name any names, but I happen to know when things started to decline. You know this one particular CEO of this company. He withheld his yearly pay, which is in the millions at that time, and he did so to put back into the company so the employees would continue to get paid and they would be able to keep their doors open. I don't know the man, nor have I ever met him, but what I took from that Someone who is passionate about their company and the dedication to those people, you know, it's astounding. You know, I know it could have been just a political move or out of necessity, and nothing else, but I would like to believe that CEO passionately cared about his company and strives to make it better even today. I know some baristas you know have been working for their company for a while because they believe in what the company is about and their passion is driven by the values and benefit that company has to offer. Sometimes, when you don't necessarily have a passion for the job itself, you have a passion for what the company represents as a whole. All right.
Speaker 1:
So for all you believers out there, I want to give some scriptural. You know scriptures that pertain to this topic, you know. And again, for those of you who don't believe, please at least give some thought to the principles laid out and see if they might at least apply to you as well. Please at least give some thought to the principles laid out and see if they might at least apply to you as well. You know Clisiasthes, chapter 3, verse 13,. And also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor. It is the gift of God.
Speaker 1:
You know the scriptures suggest that you find joy and happiness in work, whatever that may be. You know, celebrate, if you will, having joy and fulfillment in what you do. It's important. You know Colossians, chapter 3, verse 23,. Whatever you do, whatever your task may be, work from the soul that is put in your very best effort, something done for the Lord and not for men. Now, this scripture it suggests that you do what you do with all your heart and live for your joy and not for the joy of others. It is there that, no matter what you do in life or a living, give it your all. I think you'll find you will love what you do, or you might discover there is something else why you're doing what you're doing at the present moment. You know I love coming back to this scripture because it has special meaning for me Jeremiah 2911, for I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord Plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, but to give you a future and a hope. And if you're looking for answers from your higher power, look to God on the question of this topic. You know it's your decision. Give it a try. You will discover the very thing that you've been searching for if you choose to go this route.
Speaker 1:
I believe that Sometimes the motivation behind what gets people out of bed every day, that gives them the dedication and passion to do their job, you know it's for reasons other than the job itself and that reason is because you're passionate about supporting and providing for your loved ones. I remember a music artist. I read about a father who got into bed every day and went to work in a factory for almost an entire day. You know, before coming home I was so tired, you know, just to crawl into bed and do it all again the next day. I knew a family. You know he had a father who worked 70 hours a week to support his family and his passion for his job was because he loved them so much. The only time I ever got to see him really with his family was on his one day off.
Speaker 1:
I have a regular. He's a burger flipper. She does it for a living. I've never asked her if she likes her job, but what I do know her driving force is sending money to her loved ones who live abroad. She's come over with her boss a few times, you know, and he told me once during conversation that she stepped away to answer a call of nature and he told me that she gives it her all. It does her job with integrity, you know, in a work ethic unmatched by many. So for those of you you know, if your passion is not for the job but providing for another, I commend you.
Speaker 1:
But in all of this, you know I must point out that no career journey it's not without its challenges. You know setbacks and self-doubt. I mean we all face obstacles in the pursuit of happiness. But what's important to note, you know how you face these challenges. You know redefine your failures. You know turn them into a stepping stones. You know to help you get, you know, to a more satisfying professional life. You know embrace challenges as an opportunity to grow. You know setbacks, learn from it, learn from your mistakes. You know, if you have a strategy, adjust your strategy and, above all else, you know, just be persistent. You know, be persistent to succeed. Until you do, you know, don't give up Definitely, definitely prioritize your self-care, you know, to help manage, you know, the stress and the self-doubt that you know many are inevitably going to feel. If you need answers, you know it might be a good idea to seek support, you know, from mentors or peers. You know continuously like, redefine and refine your goals, you know, and be open to adapt in your career journey. You know there's got to be setbacks everybody, you know. But don't let those setbacks define you. What matters is how you're going to respond and handle those setbacks.
Speaker 1:
The pursuit of happiness and discovering one's passion, you know, in the professional realm it can be a trekking. It really can, you know, if you get stuck, take the time to ponder and reflect. You know, in this road of careers it becomes evident that the conventional path you know it does it doesn't always lead to fulfillment. Instead, try, you know, embracing a mindset, you know, that prioritizes your personal values, what motivates you, find a genuine connection to the work you do. It can open your eyes To a gratifying professional life, you know, one that is going to get you out of bed every day looking forward to each new one.
Speaker 1:
You know, don't forget y'all the pursuit of passion. You know it's not a direct trajectory, it's a process. You know, at times it's going to be a frustrating process and you know, in your exploration of just figuring it out, there are going to be some hard lessons learned along the way. But take the time, you know, to further education if you, if you think that's gonna happen. You know, help you, step outside of your comfort zone. You know, and this is a big one, y'all. Be receptive to change. You know, allow yourself to have a mindset to grow and this is gonna help you. Few challenges, you know, as opportunities rather than an obstacle. You know, face, face the setbacks head on. Give them a punch on the face when they try to beat you down one, two punch. But you know the importance of applying your core values to your professional pursuits. I cannot stress this enough when I work resonates with what truly matters to us and it brings greater job satisfaction, you know, and it'll bring you to a, you know, a closer sense of purpose and that's what will drive you forward.
Speaker 1:
This journey towards happiness and passion, you know it's different for everybody, so don't think for a minute that it's gonna be the same for everybody. You know that it's not, and a lot of people might be hesitant and choose not to follow this path, and that is every bit. You're right to make this journey what you will. But if you decide, you do want it and it might seem, you know, unfamiliar, uncomfortable at first. Don't fight the process of self-discovery. And, above all else, you know, when you get frustrated, just be patient. You know you know, just just go with it, go with the flow. And if you do struggle, maybe try looking at your strengths. You know what. What are your interests? You know, and what impact do you want to make At the end of the day? The pursuit of happiness, finding that fire and that passion in our professional lives. And it will not bring you to any one destination. You know this path for the passion of your job or the passion for the love and support for another, that's an ongoing process and it always will be. So you take your last breath, whatever happens, it's up to you to decide.
Speaker 1:
But if you like my podcast, please feel free to tell at least three people about my podcast, if you think they'll get something out of it. You know this is gonna help me to continue to get my message out there to more people. If you want to support the show and help me continue to grow, please feel free to go to my website. You know, leave me a tip in the digital tip jar, but unless you want another drink, thank you for stopping in. Here's your check my regular podcast hours. There's always every Sunday night at 7 pm so you can come back and see me that. Have a great night.