3 Reasons Your Career Will Never Fulfill Your Life

A career in which we are paid well is something so many of us strive for. So many of us also use a career to define who we are to ourselves and to others. If we have a good title and good pay, we try to create a sense of superiority to others. If we see others doing better than we are, there can be a great deal of jealousy. However, one of the biggest things so many of us ignore is our own happiness in all of this. If you have the big title and money, is it worth it? If you are working 80 hours a week with a million dollars in the bank, but don’t get to see your family, is it worth it? The answer inevitably is no. There are many reasons this is true, but we can take a look at a few. These are primarily focused on those of us who don’t get to work for ourselves and who may work in the corporate world.

1) The Money

Sure, money is great. However, there will never be enough money to fill any void in your life. Your job working to make more money will not buy more time with your family. It will not purchase health and time your could have spent taking care of yourself. Money cannot be used to save your soul. It cannot be used to stop death. Ultimately, all of the things in your life which money “might” seem to make better, will not. It will only leave you longing for more and regretting so much.

2) Your Family/Life

Your career and title may tell others who you are as a professional, but it is only a title. You can be the best person in the world and have the job of a janitor. You can also be one of the most self-centered, pompous, egotistical jerks and have a great title. A title gives so little information on who you really are. Does your career mean you don’t have a family or don’t ever spend anytime with them? Does your career mean so much that you have very little interaction with your kid’s lives? Maybe you have put off having a family which you desperately desire because a career has always been important? Having a drive to have a career where you alienate those around you will never pay off or be worth it.

3) Your Passions/Hobbies

Being wrapped up in work and a career mindset cuts you off to other parts of your life. This would include those aspects that you enjoy doing such as hobbies or other passions. Sure you cannot work on these all of the time, but you should be able to use your downtime or weekends to enjoy your life! Working 60-70 hours a week for 45 years without pursuing other passions/hobbies seems like a waste? You could wake up one day in your 60’s wondering where time went and why you never took the time to do other things. Sure you can do some of those things in your retirement, but it will be much more difficult.

Despite what the corporate world or even family may tell you, running the rat race to get to the top will never fulfill you. You will likely always have some type of void in your life waiting to be filled with something. Be conscious today about living your life.