Lessons on a Job You Can Love

Wondering if you can ever find a job you can love...a dream job? Seems like everyone wants one of those, but it's rare to find the person who actually has one. Well, this past weekend I did.

I'll call him Captain Dan (not his real name) and I went charter boat fishing on Lake Superior with him and my sweetie (husband). Here's a pic that actually demonstrates the Goddess can catch fish - and big ones! That's Captain Dan's arm with the lake trout.

Captain Dan is in one of the most dangerous occupations - fishing - according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But he obviously enjoys his work - it is his dream job. Here's a few lessons to be learned:

1. Work you love is not always easy. In fact, fishing is darn hard work, physically and mentally. But the satisfaction and pride of a job well done, along with the independence of the job, are compelling values for Captain Dan. They are like the gas in his engine and, combined with his genuine interest in fishing, boating, and the outdoors, makes for a good career fit for him.

2. A certain amount of calculated risk-taking is needed to keep sharp and move ahead in your career. Trying new fishing routes, going out even when the weather is threatening a storm and the sea is choppy, and being agile enough to de-tangle the equipment when it fouls, are par for the course in Captain Dan's job. Complacency kills - that's literally true when fishing.

3. Your dream job can be smelly and purely obnoxious at times. Killing and gutting fish is not a chore for the squeamish, and certainly does not rank in Captain Dan's 10 most favorite parts of his job. Nonetheless, it's an essential part of the whole experience.

4. Social networking occurs at sea! Captain Dan's CB radios - one for the Coast Guard and the other for his charter boat fishing buddies - were constantly crackling. Sometimes about an emergency rescue of a ship gone aground, and sometimes with insider tips about where the fish were biting, what kind of fish, at what depth, and so on. All necessary information for Captain Dan to ensure a successful fishing expedition.

5.  Loving what you do makes you more inclined to want to share the experience with others. Warmly welcoming outsiders into his domain, carefully schooling us in the smallest details, and rejoicing with us over successful fishing encounters made Captain Dan radiate enthusiasm and joy. What an adrenaline rush for all of us!

Happy Labor Day, Captain Dan!

Comments

[Mark McClure Coaching]

Susan,

CB radio as a social networking too - nice one! Who woulda thunk it - real, live voices.

#5 sums a well-loved job for me. The (inside) joy in sharing the experience with others (and yes, get paid for it too!) That's worth a lot more than money IMHO.

[Gregory Burrus]

Wow Susan Great Story line.
My favorite statement is "Find a Job You Love and Never Work a Day in Your Life Again" I believe that Captain Dan has the right idea.

I guess the line holds true - its not what you do but how you do it.

Thanks for the article.

Gregory Burrus