“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” – Steve Jobs
This quote popped up on my computer screen when I was scrolling through Facebook one day and it got me thinking. Growing up, I had always wondered if people actually enjoyed going to work every day or if they were just doing it to be able to support their families and make a living. When I started my first real job in the restaurant business a few years ago, I thought I had found my answer. Aside from a select few that seemed to thoroughly enjoy serving other people’s needs for five-six hours at a time, the answer was clear: people go to work to receive a paycheck. As a teenager, this made sense to me. I couldn’t imagine actually wanting to wake up and go to work every day! Over the years I had asked my parents if they really enjoyed their jobs and their answers were always “yes, of course!” But still, I wasn’t convinced. They’re my parents; they needed to be positive about work and set a good example.
About two months ago, I truly understood Mr. Jobs’ quote. I started my Internship at Matter Communications in mid-May and from my first day here, my thought process changed entirely about working. The people in the office were lively and super friendly. There was not a person I would walk by that didn’t ask how I was doing or if I was enjoying my time here. It’s really easy to enjoy going to work when you love your job and the environment you work in. I believe that Matter Communications is a perfect example of that. If you’re settling, strictly to do your time and make that paycheck, then you’re never going to be happy waking up every morning to go to work. The people that surround me in this office didn’t settle; it is very clear to me that they all enjoy what they’re doing. By enjoying their jobs, they also have the unique ability to do really good work. If you’re not fully engaged because you’re settling, the work you try to accomplish will never be what it could be if you actually enjoyed doing it.
These last two months have taught me that there are jobs out in the world that people are genuinely happy about doing. Maybe my parents really do love their jobs? I learned never to settle just because it might be the easy way to make some money. It’s more important to find a job that makes you happy and put your all into it. That is the key to success!