Do the work you love
What does it mean to do the work you love? Fulfilling work can mean different things to different people. It can mean making an impact in someone’s life, having a flexible schedule, enjoying a work-life balance, working for a great boss, getting along with colleagues, being independent, making a lot of money, … the list goes on. I’ve recently questioned whether or not I’m doing what I love. Then I realized, I’m not looking for work that I love but rather experiences that I love.
I love new experiences. That wasn’t always the case. For the first 10 years of my design career, I was focused on finding work that was stable and reliable. I owed thousands of dollars in student loans and nearly as much on credit cards. I went through numerous rounds of debt-consolidation while working at a good job, in relative obscurity, for an education research company. I coasted through the Great Recession in a stable but boring job.
That had to change. I was unhappy at work and that was affecting my attitude. When I first started, the president of the company remarked that I was the happiest person he’d ever met. By the time I left, I knew I must have been the angriest. I had been planning to leave for a while, started networking, and attended a professional conference. I talked to a panelist at the conference after a session. He was a recruiter who told me that there was plenty of other work out there for someone like me. I applied to the recruiting agency and talked to a recruiter about upcoming opportunities. I told myself that if I got called in for one, even if I wasn’t hired, I’d submit my letter of resignation to my employer and start an adventure of new experiences. They called.
Since then, I haven’t looked back. For the past 5 years, I’ve been a designer in search of new experiences. I live by the motto, “Do what you love. The money will follow.” I became certified in user experience and switched design careers from statistical publishing to digital product design. I’ve mastered new skills such as generating insights, rapid prototyping, and designing delightful experiences. I’ve built a portfolio that includes national and international brands, worked with the brightest minds in Silicon Valley, and obtained the confidence to know that as an independent contractor, there are plenty of jobs available.
Along the way, I’ve come across many services that have provided great experiences. The latest I’m eager to try is TopTal.com. They screen candidates and select only the top 3%. Over 90% of client reviews on TrustPilot.com gave them 5 stars. Ratings from contractors on Glassdoor.com average 4.1 out of 5. The benefit of working for TopTal is that the work is completely remote.
I’ve been curious about leaving the world of contracting and starting a career as an independent business owner vs. being a full-time employee. I haven’t made that decision yet but as a colleague once recommended, “walk through open doors.” I’m on the lookout for open doors to new experiences.
