I, Nandip Aulak, take my career to be my career of choice, to have and to own, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until the day I stop loving what I do.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do, if you haven’t found it, keep looking. Don’t settle.” This quote by Steve Jobs has always stuck with me throughout my career. I have always known that I love what I do.
I absolutely love working in marketing, each day is different with new opportunities to make an impact or learn something new. To love what you do allows you to be fully committed and focused. Often told I’m obsessed with my career and a workaholic, but ‘obsessed’ to me means dedicated, and ‘workaholic’ translates to committed.
I do….
This element is the declaration of intent. Acknowledge that you made the choice to be exactly where you are today in your career. The circumstances may exceed your expectations or not; either way you said ‘I do’ accept this job. It is empowering to come to the realisation that you own what you do and you have choices. It’s a two-way relationship; it’s about about give and take.
In sickness and in health…
Your physical and emotional health will be tested throughout your career. At times, you will be tired, overworked and stressed. Achieving a good work life balance can be difficult when you love what you do, because when you do, working is not a chore. When you love what you do, it’s emotive, and it’s that emotion that allows you to connect with others and persevere. To enjoy your work is healthy, but finding work life balance is key to success.
For richer or poorer…
Bill Gates quotes “If you’re born poor, it’s not your mistake. But if you die poor, it’s your mistake.” Know your self worth and don’t ever compromise for anything less than what you believe you deserve. Poor doesn’t always mean financial loss, I believe doing something that doesn’t excite, inspire, or motivate you, this is the greatest loss, this is a waste of your precious time.
For better or worse…
A promise to stay together whether life is good or bad… As we do in life sometimes, we accept our circumstances as if it’s the only option. We always have options, but sometimes we choose the option to settle for less than what we deserve or leave something just because it’s tough. When you’re in love with what you do, tough times are still tough but your passion pushes you. It’s not forced, you don’t show up everyday dreading the day, but you find ways to overcome the challenges. See things as they are, not better or worse but just as they are and either accept it or change it.
Happily ever after…
Committed; defined by Cambridge dictionary as “loyal and willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in.”
When you commit to something you believe in and truly want it, loyalty is easy. Loyalty comes from ‘loving’ what you do. Don’t walk away from something you love to settle for something that doesn’t excite, inspire or motivate you.
Do you love what you do? If not, I end where I started:
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do, if you haven’t found it, keep looking. Don’t settle.” Quoted by Steve Jobs.
