How to Enjoy Your Work Without Just Getting By
Too often, we let life slip by without really enjoying it. We get stuck in routines, moving from one day to the next, barely noticing that we’re not actually loving our lives. Days pass, and if you haven’t truly enjoyed them, those are days you can never get back. A beautiful life is made up of many beautiful days. If you’re just going through the motions, not appreciating what you do, it’s a bit sad—because life is truly something wonderful.
Let’s talk about passion projects. These are slices of life that can bring you real joy, and maybe even become something you can earn from. Many of us feel pressure at work: deadlines, endless tasks, and sometimes, if we’re honest, we don’t even like what we’re creating. The more time passes, the heavier it feels. That’s why passion projects matter.
If you’re searching for your passion, think back to when you were between 8 and 12 years old. That’s the age before you were influenced by classmates or adults, when your personality was starting to shine through and you knew what you liked. What did you love doing back then? For me, it was playing with Playmobil. Maybe for you, it was Barbie dolls, Lego, board games, or your Game Boy. If you spent your summer holidays doing that, it’s a sign—that’s your true passion.
Now, you might wonder how to bring that feeling into your adult life. Here’s the trick: turn your childhood passion into an adult project. For example, if you loved Playmobil, you could become a Playmobil expert, sell collector’s items online, or even become a brand ambassador. The same goes for Barbie, Lego, or any other childhood favorite. You could create animation videos with your toys and share them on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels. Add a link to your shop in the comments, and suddenly you’re not just reliving your childhood—you’re building a brand and maybe even a business.
There’s something magical about selling dreams. When you share what you love, you make others dream too, and that’s one of the best jobs in the world. You’re not just dreaming; you’re making your dream real. Many people think their dreams are impossible, but with a clear vision, you can make them happen.
Burnout often comes from a lack of balance in your days. If you’re always working in your business, stuck in the details, you lose sight of the bigger picture. It’s like working on a factory line: you execute tasks, but you don’t see the whole. To succeed, you need to step back and look at your business from above, like looking out from a watchtower to spot opportunities and dangers.
As a developer, I learned this the hard way. If I just start coding without understanding the real problem, I waste time and energy. But if I take time to understand the problem and think about the best solution, I save time and create better results. The same goes for your work and your life: think strategically, work on your business, not just in it. This makes your work more enjoyable and healthier. You can even delegate tasks you don’t like, so you can focus on what matters.
Balance is key. Many people dream of being their own boss, but end up creating their own prison, working all the time without rest. The real goal is to think long-term, find your childhood passion, and bring it into your adult life in a way that fits you now.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
— Steve Jobs
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
— Dalai Lama
Key Takeaways
- Your happiest days are the building blocks of a happy life.
- Look back at what you loved as a child—there’s a clue to your true passion.
- Turn your childhood passion into an adult project or even a business.
- Balance your days and step back to see the big picture.
- Don’t just work in your business—work on it, and make it something you love.
Reflection
- What did you love doing between ages 8 and 12?
- How can you bring that passion into your life today?
- Are you working in your business, or on your business?
- What small step can you take this week to make your days more enjoyable?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Career Fulfillment #Entrepreneurship #Finding Joy #Meaningful Work #Self-Transcendence #Tasks #Tech #Time-Management #Work Satisfaction #Work-Life Balance