I hope you don’t mind me stepping away from my “All Knowing Uncle Paul” persona for a moment (did anyone else hear trumpets when I said that?) but I think its important that you know where I’ve struggled in my life and grab a lesson at my expense.
There was a time in my life where I had no clue of what I wanted to be when I grew up. The only problem with that, was that I wasn’t exactly having this identity crisis at 5 or even 10 or 15 . . . I was 19 and in college!
My parents and I had many a heated debate over my future and I’ll never forget something that my mother showed me.
It was something that made sense at the time but had magical time release powers that helped me at various stages of my career.
She showed me this advertisement in the local Pennysaver. In it was this picture of this dude who worked for a construction company. He was holding a shovel, sporting a T-Shirt and jeans.
Pretty standard stuff . . . right?
I left out a really big detail . . . the dude had one heck of big, ear to ear grin going on.
Now unless he accidently uncovered some hidden treasure in one of his ditch digging expeditions . . . he was digging his life.
It wasn’t an act
It wasn’t a pose for an ad . . .
It was that moment when you find yourself saying “I’m having fun!”
And isn’t this business of life way too short to be miserable?
No disrespect to ditch diggers, but if this guy could find a way to smile, enjoy his life and even have a sense of pride about his livelihood . . . what are we waiting for?
Hopefully not a “Do Over”!
My Mom told me that whatever I choose to be once I find myself . . . be that guy!
So excuse me while I change into the form of an ancient balding sales jedi and ask you . . .
Is it the circumstances that brings the smile . . . or is it the smile that brings the circumstances?
Please share your thoughts!
Paul Castain trains organizations & individuals to be lethal! For more information on the specific jedi like services Paul offers, by all means click here dude!
Excellent post, Paul. I’ve always said that, since I spend the majority of my time working, if I hate my job I essentially hate my life. I made up my mind a long time ago (well, a long time for a young Luke Skywalker like me) to love what I do as a precursor to doing what I love. Time is all we’ve got and we’re doing ourselves a great injustice if we don’t enjoy every second.
Thank you Doug and I love what you said “if I hate my job I essentially hate my life”.
Doug I can honestly tell you that the perception I get of you is one of someone who enjoys his job in fact I triple dog dare anyone from the Sales Playbook community to stop by your awesome blog http://www.howdoesthatmakeyoubuy.com/ and not see someone who is totally digging his job and his life.
Thanks again for stopping by Doug . . . I really appreciate it!
Thanks, Paul. That’s VERY encouraging!
Paul
I think the answer to your question is both. Don’t hate! Life is situational as we place ourselves into certain situations and from there we draw some pleasant and not so pleasant experiences. A good argument to be had here is that some situations come to us but I am not always on board with that as we had to be place ourselves somewhere to be seen.
Doing what you love is going to make for a happier person and a better life. Sometimes this changes over time and we have to reinvent ourselves and change careers or where we live. Essentially we have to put ourselves in the right places to be able to achieve the happiness.
I love this question as we can go around and around on this and have some sensational thoughts and ideas. Thanks so much for writing this and bringing it to the top of my mind!
Well said Suzanne!
I particularly like what you said regarding “we have to put ourselves in the right places to be able to achieve the happiness”
I think the depth of that statement extends beyond physical or geographic places . . .additionally (and obviously) its where we place ourselves mentally.
This is definitely one of those questions where the answers take on additional forms the longer we allow ourselves to be open to the thought process.
Thank you so much for stopping by Suzanne. Wishing you a wonderful Friday and an epic weekend!
Paul
I think the answer to your question is both. Don’t hate! Life is situational as we place ourselves into certain situations and from there we draw some pleasant and not so pleasant experiences. A good argument to be had here is that some situations come to us but I am not always on board with that as we had to be place ourselves somewhere to be seen.
Doing what you love is going to make for a happier person and a better life. Sometimes this changes over time and we have to reinvent ourselves and change careers or where we live. Essentially we have to put ourselves in the right places to be able to achieve the happiness.
I love this question as we can go around and around on this and have some sensational thoughts and ideas. Thanks so much for writing this and bringing it to the top of my mind!
Well said Suzanne!
I particularly like what you said regarding “we have to put ourselves in the right places to be able to achieve the happiness”
I think the depth of that statement extends beyond physical or geographic places . . .additionally (and obviously) its where we place ourselves mentally.
This is definitely one of those questions where the answers take on additional forms the longer we allow ourselves to be open to the thought process.
Thank you so much for stopping by Suzanne. Wishing you a wonderful Friday and an epic weekend!
Your statement “is it the circumstances that brings the smile or is it the smile that brings the circumstances” had a big impact on me this morning…Not that I’m not the smiling type. I believe you choose how to handle every situation. Thanks for this post! I loved it!
Agreed!
And thank YOU Candi. I always appreciate your perspective!
Hey buddy,
Suzanne and Doug say it all with good melody and back beat, and you’ve riffed your comments, as usual, with bluesy pentatonic. (to all and one, forgive the rock music metaphors.. 🙂 My way, on this Friday, of saying that if circumstances bring on the smile, then the smile — or the happiness, joy, peace that it reflects — are mere effects of accidental causes. But if we can learn and choose to smile, no matter the circumstances, then the hope, trust, energy, positive outlook, determination, perseverance, devotion, et al, that motivate the smile are indeed the fuel that gets us to our intended destinations — the circumstances we seek.
Paul,
It is both . If you really like your job no matter what it is you will be happy. I recently changed careers at 55 and I love my new position.career. It is never to late to start over.
I love it Paul when you get us centered again, loving what you do is the most important aspect of all, love what you do enough to do for free, but do it well enough that it makes you the wealthy, however you determine wealth. Thanks for your thoughts
This was certainly a timely article for me. I am “that person” trying to find my passion for the 2nd chapter of my life as I am not that “19 year old kid” that you were. Let’s just say it’s been an interesting journey but I’m very positive of the outcome.
I wish you a wonderful journey Mary with mucho smiles along the way.
Meanwhile, here’s one for you no charge 🙂
Thanks!
When my husband and I started our company 14 years ago, our mission was to make the world a better place. Pretty lofty goal for a small business, but it is still our mission, and what we do everyday. When people love going to work, they thrive. That spills over to organizations, families and communities thriving. When our children see us passionate about work, they will adopt the same attitude. If they see their parents hating work, complaining about it, “$#%& it’s Monday and I gotta go to my $#%&@* job’ they will adapt that attitude as well. Only about 30% of workers are actively engaged! That means we are breeding a whole generation of apathetic, non-productive workers. Where does that leave us as a society?
It leaves us in a horrible place with a ton of residual challenges.
30%? That’s just awful Rebecca and now for the most important question . . . what curse words were you referring to with those funky symbols? 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Rebecca . . . much appreciated!
It leaves us in a horrible place with a ton of residual challenges.
30%? That’s just awful Rebecca and now for the most important question . . . what curse words were you referring to with those funky symbols? 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Rebecca . . . much appreciated!
There is no question here Paul, the smile comes first! Take it from a guy that spent 10 years thinking my job should make me happy. Now I wake up every day with joy in my heart and it is my decision to show that joy to others or throw it away.
Well said Ron and I’ve been there!
Isn’t that feeling of joy wonderful?
I wonder how many people reading this will give an immediate “AMEN” to what you’ve written here!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend Ron!
Well said Ron and I’ve been there!
Isn’t that feeling of joy wonderful?
I wonder how many people reading this will give an immediate “AMEN” to what you’ve written here!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend Ron!
Well said Ron and I’ve been there!
Isn’t that feeling of joy wonderful?
I wonder how many people reading this will give an immediate “AMEN” to what you’ve written here!
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend Ron!
Agreed!
And thank YOU Candi. I always appreciate your perspective!
This is what I like about you Paul. You take the time to pose the deep questions. In the middle of some of the entertaining writing, there is always a nugget of real contemplation.
I hope that those that have their own business truly love it, or they are crazier than I thought! It is a lot of work and a lot of energy to have your own business. If it isn’t something that they love, I wish them Godspeed as they take the leap to do something that makes them sing.
Well said Beth!
I can’t take credit for the questions . . . I find them on popsicle sticks and in fortune cookies 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome weekend!
Law of attraction! Smile, be positive, and everything you need will come:o).
Thank you Tambra!
Law of attraction! Smile, be positive, and everything you need will come:o).
Thank you Tambra!
I wish you a wonderful journey Mary with mucho smiles along the way.
Meanwhile, here’s one for you no charge 🙂
Thanks!
I couldn’t agree more and the word “wealthy” is not only spot on, it transcends beyond the dollars and into our soul!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
I believe a simple “AMEN” best captures my feelings to what you have written.
Thank you for stopping by and contributing!
You really have a way with words Juan . . . you pentatonic playing brother from another mother!
I could hear the dude across the street from me working on his yard all day. I could hear him because he was singing (rather poorly I might add). He was having a blast, working his tail off, in the heat . . . and it was his only day off as he works a ton of hours to support his family.
Sounds like he made a decision and one we can all learn from.
Thanks and keep rocking Juan . . . I look forward to the day when you and can get together and do some serious shredding!
Hey, Paul!
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. I thought I’d swing by to see what you were up to, and I stumbled upon this great post!
It’s the age-old question, isn’t it? Are people happy with their jobs because they’re happy people in general or does being happy with your job make you a generally happy person? We spend a third of our day at work – more than we spend with our spouses, our kids, and usually even sleeping. Shouldn’t being happy there be a top priority?
If you’re not happy at your job and not in a position to change things immediately, it may be a matter of finding something ABOUT the job that’s more consistent with your passions (perhaps being more creative with designing report templates or personally calling contacts for human interaction instead of sending off emails) or simply faking it until you make it.
Studies have shown that facial expressions such as smiling can have similar physiological effects on the body (and mood) as actually feeling emotions. “Fake it until you make it” has never been so true.
Best,
Jana
It’s all about the ‘tude, Dude!
Funny thing about this America we live in. For too long it was about ranking, prestige and not only keeping up with the Joneses, but trying to kick Mr. Jones’ @$$! After a much-needed kick in the financial and responsibility cajones, we’re back to the basics … that humans (be it Americans, Chinese, Bosnians or Rain Forest dwellers) crave connection and that contentment comes from within, not from the external.
A big thanks to your Mom and the Penny Saver for a valuable life lesson, Paul. Smile on, my friend.