How To Tell You Are In The Wrong Career
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Last year I had discussed a famous quote from Steve Jobs on my personal blog as I worked through my career goals and individual development plan at work.
The quote from Jobs, given at a Stanford University commencement address, gives the following perspective on how you know when you might need a change in your life:
I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
The other night I had the good fortune to hear another great quote that gave me some perspective on how to tell if you are in the wrong career.
While I was working on the computer into the wee hours of the night, I had the television on for a little white noise and it was showing the 2nd or 3rd repeat of that night’s episode of The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.
For those that might not be familiar with the show, Donny Deutsch - who built a multi-billion dollar advertising and media business - interviews various men and women who have taken their big idea and turned it into millions or in some cases even billions. It really is a great show and can provide a great deal of inspiration for any entrepreneur.
So on this night, Donny Deutsch was talking to people that have made their fortune designing and/or creating pants. I’ll admit that I wasn’t paying very close attention but happened to hear Donny share this nugget of wisdom:
If Sunday night feels different than Friday night, you’re doing the wrong thing.
When I heard this statement I had to stop what I was doing and begin watching the show. This was pure genius, at least in my opinion, and unfortunately I could relate to what he was saying.
Think about it.
The time of the week that people typically dread the most is Sunday night. The weekend is coming to a close and the next morning brings a fresh week of work. I’ve had salt poured in the wound as well because Monday morning is garbage day in my neighborhood so I have to gather up the trash before calling it a night.
Why is going to work so dreadful?
If you love your work, you would assume that the prospect of beginning a new week of work would be just as fulfilling as the beginning to a new weekend. That sounds a little ridiculous to me - I mean, who really likes Monday mornings - but maybe that is because I am doing the wrong thing.
When you examine these statements from Steve Jobs and Donny Deutsch as they relate to your career, are you doing the right thing?
The Man Page is your home to get career advice, parenting tips, or just kick back and escape from the pressure of being a man. Join Derek Semmler - a working husband and father to two young boys, as we tackle the issues facing men today and have a good deal of fun in the process. He also blogs at 
It’s true. I’ve worked at jobs where I absolutely hated the thought of going to work again. Luckily I’m not in that position anymore.
I’m somewhere in between that and where I would like to be. Ideally I would be getting up each morning and heading to play rehearsal…I’ll be there eventually, just not yet.
Cory, that is great that you have found a sort of middle ground where things might not be perfect but they are enjoyable.
The part that I dread the most right now is not so much the job or work that I do but the fact that I have to get up at 4:00am each morning.
I love my work, but I really love my weekends. I wish certain people at my work would find another job though because they are filled with negativity.
Damien, you make a great point in that sometimes you enjoy your work but dread going each day due to some of the people you have to interact with regularly.
Derek - What a great post! I love it! And it’s so funny, because, I was just saying…uh, to me - haha - on Monday morning, “Gawd! I love Monday mornings!” And I thought that I really should post about that, in a sort of poll type fashion, asking how many WAHM’s/WAHD’s just love Monday morning!
A large part of it is that, yes, the family leaves, and I can actually work productively. But another huge part is that I just love what I’m doing!
I am in a very transitional phase, though, so those quotes kick butt for me right now! Thank you!
Honestly, no, if Sunday night is bad, one needs to get everything together inside themselves and make a cold, hard, decision: stay or go. Now, some may see this as a “flight or fight” situation. And, if you see “flight” as a chicken-way-out of not the most professional, is the “fight” option the best? If to fight is right for you, are you sure that that rings true?
Flight is not a bad thing, in my opinion. I left a _VERY_ impressive step-up in my career because many days were Sunday nights, for me. And, when taking a short vacation you have to have a conference call with the Exec-VP so you can stay “on your game”, and all you can think about, when there are moments of reflection, is what to do the first thing you are back in the office … … …
Yeah, you bet I chose flight! And, one of the worst phone calls, yet my best, was when I called my Dad to tell him the news. You wanna know what he said?
“I’m very proud of you. It’s a difficult decision, but your family and your health are what is more important.”
I left back in August of ‘07 … I’m still not employed … I started my own software business on the side and went back to college … I’m busy, a bit worried spending my savings, but I am VERY HAPPY to have chosen flight.
Take care,
Steve
Steve’s last blog post..Entrepreneur - In What Scale and Time
No matter how hard physically and emotionally my work is what really keeps me going are the results. If I am having good results I really don’t mind working long hours and weekends.
Louis Lautman creates a film that could inspire everyone to entrepreneurship, check out the YES movie at http://www.TheYESmovie.com.