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On making the most of where you are without compromising your career goals.
To find a job that you love is the #goal, but how do you get from here to there?
Most likely, when you first start out, it’s at the very bottom. And even if you like your job, you might not like parts of it, like your boss or your daily tasks.
So, how can work be something you look forward to each day regardless of whether or not it’s your dream job?
Practicing Buddhism is about finding solutions to the problems (even the seemingly routine ones) that we deal with on the daily. However, in Buddhism, you’re the deciding factor, you’re the solution, not your circumstances.
With this as your framework, here are some tips on how to start loving your job.
However, in Buddhism, you’re the deciding factor, you’re the solution, not your circumstances.
Doing Your Best Helps YOU
It’s easy to do the bare minimum when the work feels uninspiring. Giving it your all doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pursue a career in that field. Rather, it’s understanding that doing your best is necessary for your personal growth. It’s only when you apply yourself that you get to see what you’re really made of. It also helps to create a habit of always doing your best, which is invaluable. This skill can help you succeed in any job, even lead you to your dream one.
Whether it’s the cafeteria job we had in college or the retail job that we wish we could quit, we grow from that experience when we work hard. The effort we make is what leads to the next opportunity.
Trust the Process
No one becomes a success overnight. Even when Michael Jordan started playing basketball, he wasn’t the best at the game. But he was willing to put in the time and effort to do anything it took to become the best and challenge his weaknesses.
He wasn’t always the star and had to take whatever position he could to keep playing. However, because he never stopped improving himself, he became one of the best ever to play the game, winning an unheard of six titles for the Chicago Bulls.
In other words, having patience and perseverance allow us to not give up on our situation or ourselves.
It All Counts
Rather than spend your time wondering where else you could be and what other job you could do, remember what you do now determines that future.
When you chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with a determination to do your best, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. From the Buddhist perspective, every single person’s life has meaning and a unique purpose. If you win where you are right now, you can realize it.
From the Buddhist perspective, every single person’s life has meaning and a unique purpose. If you win where you are right now, you can realize it.