Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Recently, I have been thinking through a new approach to money.
I am still working it through in my mind, and I’m a bit hesitant to write about it here. But I think this community can help add perspective.
My new, guiding philosophy towards work and income is this, “If I wouldn’t do it for free, I won’t do it for money.”
I realize, in many ways, this is an idealistic view of the world. But I am starting to wonder if this approach is more available to us than we think.
Still, it feels to me, at times, this statement comes from a place of privilege. And I will readily admit that. I grew up in a middle-class family that provided stability, support, and opportunity. I do not have unpaid medical bills on my desk from an unexpected surgery. I am not a single parent trying to raise my kids despite a deadbeat spouse. Nor was my position downsized due to unexpected corporate layoffs during the last recession.
I am fortunate to work a job I love and live in a country that provides me the freedom to do so. This is not something I take for granted.
I realize there are circumstances (sometimes caused by others) when we are called to selflessly sacrifice for our family. And I recognize there are certain seasons of life when we may be required to do work that we do not enjoy simply because there are people counting upon us to do so.
I just wonder if those situations are less common than we think.
18 months ago, I transitioned into promoting minimalism as my full-time job. And I am grateful for each passing month that I continue to do so (if you’d like to know more about how we accomplished that, you can find detailed information here). Somewhere along the way, I made a conscious decision that I would only pursue projects that I wanted to pursue. If I wouldn’t do it for free, I wouldn’t do it for money.
Probably, most significantly, is my approach to speaking. Despite an ever-increasing schedule, I continue to not charge a fee for my presentations—asking only for travel and accommodations to be covered. Most public speakers tell me I am crazy and that goes against every rule in the book.
“Set a fee,” they tell me. “Nobody will take you seriously if you don’t. A set fee allows you to offer a ‘discount’ to help close the deal with a potential client.”
But I see it very differently. Because I do not have a speaking fee, I can never be bought. I am never obligated to speak or attend an event just because somebody is willing to pay the price. Instead, each request is considered and weighed individually. Is it a good opportunity to promote minimalism? Is it an organization I believe in? Is the opportunity worth the investment? And while financial compensation is typically offered (or requested for long-term commitments), it is never the deciding factor. If I wouldn’t do it for free, I won’t do it for money.
I have adopted this approach to speaking, but also to every project I choose to pursue.
Our time should not be governed by the amount of money promised, but by the desires of our heart.
As I continue to pursue this approach, I have identified some specific thoughts towards life that must be present in the person who adopts it.
1. Hard work is not to be feared.
If the inherent joy found in work is not appreciated in somebody’s life, this approach will always crumble. We must appreciate work for the sake of work, not just for the financial compensation that arises from it.
There is something to be appreciated about working hard. We were designed to enjoy the process. We find fulfillment in it. It is satisfying to lie in bed at night with a tired body that has been both active and productive.
2. Work is not always enjoyable.
With any job, there are aspects of work that are frustrating and difficult—even with the greatest dream job in the world. I am not encouraging anyone to relinquish perseverance or to refuse pushing through the difficult parts of work.
For example, I love writing, but the process can be very difficult at times. I am able to persevere because the work results in something I am proud to have produced. Even though I would do it for free, I know there will be difficult moments along the way.
3. Life pursuits can not be purely selfish.
Those who believe they will find enjoyment entertaining only selfish desires will never survive under this approach to work. Ultimately, we must see our lives and work as opportunity for contribution—an opportunity to offer our talents and skills to a community of people who need them.
If you are entirely self-seeking in your approach to life and only enjoy pursuits that benefit your own self, this approach to doing what you love will only suffice in the short-term. Lounging each day on the beach for the rest of your life is not the answer.
4. This approach rings more true for those willing to live with less.
Because I have adopted a philosophy that says, “I will only do it for money if I would do it free,” I have turned down several, significant money-making opportunities. But I don’t mind because I have learned to enjoy less. As a result, my needs and views of money have changed dramatically over the past 6 years.
I am certainly not against being compensated for work, but pursuing riches is no longer a driving goal of mine. I don’t need the money and I don’t want the money.
Instead, I want to live a deliberate life that focuses on my strengths and passions and invites others to rethink the role of possessions in their life.
5. This approach does not necessarily require a new job.
I think, at first reading, this sounds as if I am urging everybody to quit their soul-crushing day job and try to monetize their passion. But that could not be further from the truth. Instead, I would push people to reconsider their views on their current employment.
I have a friend who works at a bank providing agricultural loans to local farmers. He’s really good at it. He helps farmers think deeper about their budgeting and their business plan for success. Then, he equips each of them with the resources they need to plant seed in the spring and bring in the harvest in the fall. This, I believe, is important work. And while some days, he probably wishes he could leave it all behind and golf every day instead, maybe, in actuality, if he looked a little bit deeper, he would realize that he really does enjoy his job.
It is fulfilling for him to help farmers succeed at what they do. Maybe, he would do this for free if given the chance. And just maybe this ideal is a little bit closer to reality than he originally thought.
Ultimately, I offer this philosophy not as a presciption for your life, but as a description of mine. Our seasons of life differ. But I still hope it has spurred new thoughts in yours.
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Chris says
Hi Joshua. I’m in the fortunate position of being able to cut back my work hours to 25 hours a week as of next month after working mostly full time for 30 years. It will require strict budgeting but in a way we have what we need and should get by ok. With some of my spare time I will be designing a future where I can make a more targeted contribution to others than my job does. I have a few ideas. What you are doing and the way you go about it is a real inspiration to me. Thanks Joshua. Glad I found your site!
Wendy says
I agree and I understand the part about trying to see what is already rewarding in the work that you do instead of feeling like you should quit your job. Perhaps think of it as you’ve chosen your lot in life and have made peace with it. Or you choose your attitude. No matter what you do you wake up each morning with the opportunity to do what you will with your day. I’m currently a stay at home mom. The pay isn’t great and I wouldn’t call it my dream job. Leaving being home with my children (aged 1 and 3) there are things I do each day that make my current job more rewarding. I know my barrister at Starbucks well enough to ask her how she is doing and listen. There is a connection there. She knows how my day is starting, or if it’s my second time through…the receptionist at my therapist has struggled with miscarriages. I listen to the moms, teachers, and the directors at the preschool my children attend. I know the ladies in our church nursery well. I’m naturally a loner and I’m an artist. I don’t particularly enjoy cooking and cleaning but I can find things in both that make it rewarding on some level. If that sounds super happy and peaceful it’s a daily struggle. But what’s a life without a journey?
Wendy says
Please excuse all typos and autocorrects. I swear I’m actually literate.
***my husband listens to podcasts when washing the dishes. That’s a good example of enjoying a job that would otherwise be soul sucking. Unless you are one of those people who love to clean for its meditative effect.
Bettina Woodson says
To any of us who struggle with knowing the job we have is not our ideal career at this time…..I do not think the job you currently hold for insurance reasons, or to pay for student loans should be your definition of who you are. I believe, even in the most tedious mundane task….it should be done with mindfulness and good intent. Then, when you walk out that door..minimize the burdens, lighten the distractions, reduce your bills and go find that which brings you happiness. That sweet spot will develop…just like it developed over time for Joshua. All the rest of us just need to keep our focus to the our goals, and give each other encouragement to get there.
Jacque says
As I read this article I thought of my husband. One of the comments repeated over and over at his Celebration of Life, is he loved what he did. He made work fun for all that he worked with. And when someone would say this is easy for some….well my husband was a director for the Florida department of Transportation, working to get multi-million dollar jobs done at the best price. Or getting the area back up and running after a hurricane went through…even then people talked about how he made it fun to get it done.
Tara says
As I pursue a life of minimalism, I have had this idea, too. You wrote it perfectly!
I am fortunate enough to work as a Teacher Assistant to 5 wonderful 2nd Grade teachers. I spend my workweek helping them with the tasks they don’t get time for and a lot of necessary charting/grading/filing gets done quicker because they have an extra set of hands.
I’m also lucky enough to get to work one on one with the kiddos-some days are a struggle but most days are so rewarding!!
A quote I saw once…”Do what you love and you’ll never have a problem with Monday”
Stephanie Clark says
I love this stream of thought and am grateful that you shared it, even as you felt some trepidation.
As a self employed person, the mantra “don’t do it if you wouldn’t do it for free” may help me select out a few clients that are trouble – as in demanding or unengaged.
I write resumes for a living (newleafresumes.com), and my own mantra is that everyone deserves meaningful work, with the word meaningful individually defined.
Ten years ago I left a secure, well paying (I have only recently gotten close in pay to what I used to earn, and I used to say that I was overpaid for what I did), with great benefits and retirement fund. But it didn’t use my talents and I didn’t love it. Well, that’s an understatement as I really hated it!!
Now I write – which I love – each and every day, make my own business related decisions – some have been good, others not so good – and mostly love being self employed. As you point out, there are aspects that are tedious. Government forms come to mind, and bookkeeping!
What I love most is that what I do empowers people, my clients, to pry themselves loose of those golden handcuffs because my work gives them hope that they can really, truly make a break for it!
Yes, there are always trade offs, but even losing my pension, for example, was worth the joy of springing loose from soul sucking work to jumping into engaging contributions that better society, one person at a time ( with ripple effects to their families!) Thank you for reminding me of this!
Jessica Young says
I absolutely love my job! I’m a primary school teacher and I always say, if I didn’t have bills I’d do it without money. People often talk about winning the lotto. The first thing I’d do is build my own school for struggling students and have small classes.
Katrina says
This is so inspring and wonderful. Thanks for writing this. I am in the process of becoming a minimalist and this idea just resonates with me. Right now, i have a job that should be meaninful and fulfilling yet i realize after ten years of being a nurse that it’s time for a change. There are some days when i feel trapped in my career because it just doesnt suit my introvert personality. I admire your principles. Someday i hope to find the courage to change my couse once i get my financial obligations in order. Thank you foe this