Should We Be Happy at Work?

As I was swapping out the guts of a computer yesterday on the job, a very unsettling thought crossed my mind; I don’t like to chase down computer hardware problems.

This train of thought led me to really start thinking that I am perhaps in the wrong career.  I then eventually had to ask my self if that even mattered.

There are many great sites out there to get one thinking about careers and being happy at work.  I ran across this sort of fun quiz on Monster today “Discover Your Perfect Career.”  I think that is a really silly name, but the quiz did get me thinking and actually all of the careers it mentioned at the end are things I have dreamed of doing.

The quiz said that I am an ENFP (Extravert, Intuitive, Feeler, Perceiver).  I actually think this is pretty accurate.  And some of the careers it recommends are Career Counselor, Journalist, Graphic Designer, Copywriter, Corporate Team Trainer and Psychologist.  As I said, these are all things I have thought of in the past.

But do we have to be happy at work?  Does work have to be meaningful and fulfill me?  Or is this a bunch of touchy feely crap that we have bought into?  I am not sure that our parents, that would be the baby boomers, gave this a bunch of thought.  I have a very hard time imagining my dad sitting around wondering if being an insurance agent completes him.  I don’t think he worries too much about whether or not he is happy at work.  I also have a hard time picturing my father-in-law, a very logical practical Dutchman, wondering if he is happy enough at work.

What do you think?  Do we need to be happy at work, are just somewhat content? 

The Strike is Over and I am as Proud as a Peacock

As you may or may not have heard yet, the Stagehand strike that has crippled Broadway for about three weeks ended last night around 10:30 pm. This means that today, the show will go on.

And just why does this make me proud as a peacock? You see, my brother has been working very hard since he was in high school to find his place in the world. He at first, I think, believed he would be a singer or actor. . .and he was good. But over the past few years he has tried his hand at many different things, and seemed to find his niche in being a Company Director. He has continuously worked on his theater degree and dreamed only of Braodway.

Well, my hat is very proudly off to my little brother today, for realizing a dream that he has had for years and followed at deep personal cost! Tonight, my brother has his Broadway debut, and I wish with all my heart that I could be there to see it. Tonight my brother will be the Company Manager of the Broadway musical Curtains with David Hyde Pierce!

It may take years, but following your dream and pursuing it diligently, in almost all cases, does indeed pay off. If you are willing to work tirelessly and give it your all, you will be rewarded. For all of you who are on that long road. . .hang in there! Your own breakthrough may be right around that next corner.