Not every woman can be an entrepreneur (or work in the fashion industry), and that’s perfectly ok

Actually, it’s more than ok. It’s awesome. Awesome, because employed professional women represent so many careers, industries, and aspirations, all while working collectively with others to translate someone else’s vision into a tangible product. It’s a mighty (and how much can I stress ‘important’) task. But in the wake of the Entrepreneurial Age, everyday employment is frequently eclipsed by sexier definitions of what a fulfilling career should be. After several months of reflection and research, I’ve learned an important lesson: embrace where you are. You give your job meaning, not the other way around.

Entrepreneurship: path of opportunity or escape?

Women are starting businesses in record numbers, an achievement undoubtedly worthy of celebration. Simply Google the term “women entrepreneurs” for countless success stories and stats touting the benefits of self-employment. Resources for women business owners grow daily. Suddenly, the path less chosen is the path of preference, with the media, experts, even the government ushering us toward a neon sign brightly blinking “True Happiness This Way.” But perhaps the sign should actually read “Escape Route” or “Emergency Exit.” Yes, women entrepreneurship is wonderful; but for many, it’s simply the preferable alternative to stifling workplaces. So, while we celebrate women running toward happiness, shouldn’t we also examine where they’re running from?

It’s not merely work/life balance

I’ve read numerous articles suggesting that it’s primarily a search for work/life balance, that controlling one’s schedule, and the flexibility therein, yields more satisfying careers. But any entrepreneur will tell you, the work is non-stop. Yes, you can control your hours, but in building a business, those hours increase exponentially. Workdays and weekends blend together, there’s no such thing as downtime, and you’re constantly hustling. Is the result “balance” or an increased tolerance for self-sacrifice? Many admit that long hours seem worthwhile when you’re passionate about the cause. Believe me, I am no fan of overworking, but our willingness to do so for certain efforts suggests that passion, not absolute balance, is what continues to elude us.

If you’re not passionate about work, be passionate about you

The question then becomes, where do we find our passion? Again, I took to the Internet. Career sites often post interviews with successful women in highly romanticized industries. Fashion, media, PR, any job where you interact with famous people… the examples are plentiful. Work in a glamorous job and you too will be glamorous (and happy, too)! When we focus on the perceived status of an industry over the actual work lying before us, we may miss a very important opportunity, a spark that ignites and redefines our careers.

The same holds true when we place an undue burden on employers to provide us with meaning. You may be excited about your company’s mission, or you may not. The latter shouldn’t preclude you from a fulfilling career. So, if the passion is not in the mission or industry, let it be in the everyday! That is, recognize your daily contribution, your gifts, and the influence you exert over others. You know why your job is awesome? Because YOU’RE awesome.

Letting personal principles guide your everyday is ultimately more rewarding

This form of career ownership is contrary to popular theories, but not at cross-purposes. We’re taught that our work is important because it contributes to larger, corporate goals. “You’re a cog in our wheel, but you’re a very important cog.” Who wants to be a cog? What if we focused squarely on our daily impact, our development and interactions, such that we meet company expectations AND find some measure of happiness? Embracing individuality and letting personal principles guide your everyday is ultimately more rewarding than being at the whim of some corporate mantra.

Any path can lead to happiness

In the end, career satisfaction is a matter of perspective, and found on many paths. Entrepreneurship is an option for some, but not all. For the some, it’s not a magic bullet. For the not all, it shouldn’t be used to overshadow or undermine the value in working for others. Your work is important. Your contributions are important. Employees make the world go ‘round. Let’s romanticize that.

#gorogue