Here are some questions to start this thought.
What do you want?
Why are you doing what you do?
Both of these lead to the bigger question, what are you getting out of it? What is your reward? I recently did a study on reward systems in the workplace (riveting I know). What kind of reward are you after? Most people are searching for something extrinsic like more money or something tangible. Or are you are in it for the intrinsic pay-off, the feeling of empowerment or the recognition? When you are sitting at a desk or behind the counter, we all reflect on this moment at some point or another. If you get your reward, will it be enough?
Aside from playing this Sam Smith cover on repeat, these questions have beckoned an answer in my mind. When you look at what you gave up to get closer to what you want, was it worth it? Was the payoff there? D0 you just want more? Of course, this might not have anything to do with your job or career or professional whatever you are doing, it goes beyond that.
The saying is when you do what you want, you never work a day. But to get to what you want, how many minutes, hours, days, decades are you will willing to give up for it?
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MisterWives swoons in this Sam Smith cover. The vocals smooth and howl through each verse. The lyrics of the song point out that this reward is not for money. It’s not for anyone else even. The reward is enlightenment. It’s release. It’s heaven. We should all be in search of our reward. Although I am looking for the big pay-off.
When I signed my deal
I felt pressure
Don’t wanna see the numbers
I wanna see heaven
You say, could you write a song for me?
I say, I’m sorry I won’t do that happily
There will be a moment when business school, two jobs, long commutes, and self-doubt pay off. But at this point, I got money on my mind.
