Several years ago, when our first son was born, my parents decided to retire from teaching so that they could have the flexibility to be around a lot more with our kids. 

That worked out pretty well for a while, but it didn’t take long for my dad to start chasing something else to do. And it really annoyed everyone else. He started with some odd jobs and some typical things we thought he’d enjoy, like working at the golf course. 

Eventually, he got back into what he did for his career, being a band director. 

He’s said yes to so many opportunities and helping people out, that it’s clear to me that he’s become known as the sub guy for band. That’s his reputation. People know that he’s available and that he’ll do a great job. 

I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to bother him about it anymore. 

Dad has worked now from a really young age. He worked all the way through college, and now that he’s retired, it just makes him feel better to work. 

So even though I’ve got some ideas for what he should do instead, I’ve come to realize that working just feels natural for dad. 

Work has gotten a bad rap.

Last week, I talked about why I wouldn’t be joining the FIRE movement. 

Saving money just to reach a point where you can quit a job you hate is no way to live. 

Our relationship with work should be one where we try to create work we actually enjoy. 

Instead, we’re stuck with this idea that work should be something that we hate and want to get away from when really it’s something that you should mold like any other area of your life. 

It should be something you enjoy.

Doing something you enjoy in exchange for money is a good deal.

Doing work you love is actually a great deal. 

Work is good for you. Depending on your type of work, it’s hopefully keeping you fit both mentally and physically. That type of challenge keeps you going. It also keeps you growing. 

And if your work is something that you love to do, it’s actually making you healthier.

Doing that kind of work you enjoy that’s challenging for money is actually a great deal. You get paid, which will allow you to keep striving towards your financial goals while getting to do something you enjoy doing anyway. 

The problem with sitting on the beach every day is that eventually, it doesn’t work. You’ll either get bored because as human beings, we need a challenge, a reason to grow. 

Or you’ll run out of money. 

Create work you enjoy doing.

Instead, why don’t you create work you enjoy doing? 

That way, you can keep going while enjoying what you do. It won’t be something that you run from, but that you intentionally craft as something that adds value to your life.

If you aren’t in the right spot with work today, I encourage you to figure out what may need to change for you to feel like you are in the right place for your work. 

It may be that you need to change where you work. 

It may be that you need to change what you do. 

Whatever may need to change, your work is far too important to allow it to be wrong. 

How do you feel about the work you do? 

Jared