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200 words, career, devotion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, discipline, doing what you love, happy, job, joy
“People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference.” – Luciano Pavarotti
Do you love what you do? Well if you do, you’re in the minority.
According to RYOT News & Action’s post here, 70% of Americans hate their stupid jobs.
It’s not that different outside America. A world-wide poll of a 140 countries indicates that only 13 % of people like their jobs.
I suppose if you’re in the majority of people who don’t like their jobs, it takes a great deal of discipline on your part to do a good job.
If you are in the minority, you’ve probably been heard saying, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this!” You likely don’t have to exercise great discipline to do your job; in fact, you can’t wait until Monday so you can get back at it!
Most of us will never have the perfect job. But we can have projects that inspire our devotion, and hopefully these will make up for the parts of our job we hate.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
Do you love your great job or hate your stupid job? Or do you find yourself somewhere in the middle?
talktodiana 
Do you find you love your work more now that you are your own boss?
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I do, but it’s not panning out. Maybe the timing is wrong, so I’m putting it on the back burner for now. ❤
Diana xo
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Oh, so what are you doing instead?
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I’m looking for work. 🙂
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Good luck. I hope you find something both challenging and rewarding.
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thank you
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I’ve had both experiences….and it is SO much better to have the jobs that I love! 🙂 Jobs like that are such a blessing, and the co-workers are like family even long after the job is done.
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Agreed Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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Diana, I’m hoping to make writing my profession. But if I do go out in the real world again, I plan to aim for something that fuels my passion (instead of something that just drains it). Thanks for reminding us that we should be seeking more than just a paycheck.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
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Hopes and compromises. Sometimes one has to do what they like to do until they can do what they love to do Wendy. Love it. ❤
Diana xo
*Don't give up on your dream*
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I like my job. Wouldn’t say I love it at this time. But definitely I am well suited for what I’ve chosen. I used to love some other jobs a lot more elsewhere when I was younger in my career.
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There is much to be said in being well suited to a job Jean!
Diana xo
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So happy to say that I love my job although I only work part time so that is a factor. There isn’t a day I am not grateful for it.
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So happy to hear this Sue! ❤
Diana xo
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If you love your work it is not really work, you go to to earn money. I am lucky to have job I love. HAd my ups and downs but I really enjoy what I am doing. I always say to my kids learn something you enjoy and you will be happy in life.
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That’s great advice Ute! ❤
Diana xo
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I loved most of my many jobs for awhile until I hated them! The job I have now in the nursing home is one I will always love – finally!
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Finally!! I am so happy for you Julie. ❤
Diana xo
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Hi Diana, Things change. I am lucky to have done and be doing one of those ‘lucky’ jobs as I work in a university. I once loved it but it has faded a little now as love- at least romantic love- sometimes does so I scaled it back from full time to half time and now enjoy it more. I am wary of defining myself by my job ‘cos there are lots of things (Gardening, meditation, friends, writing, volunteering etc) that I also love- probably more than paid work. So ‘what I do’ isn’t simply work for money. Best wishes, C.
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That’s true of everyone but how lucky are those who have jobs that they also love?
I am so happy you have the freedom to cut back your hours at work and spend time doing other things that you love. ❤
Diana xo
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I love it when I can work with my students. I enjoy their creative process, their humor and their insights. It’s energizing when I know I’ve made a difference or connected with a student. But I hate all of the mandated paperwork that comes with the job. So 50-50.
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Sounds like the students make up for the paperwork though, right Judy? So at the very least 51/49? ❤
Diana xo
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Wonderful quote. I’m going to steal it! Thanks Diana! ❤️
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haha! You’re welcome Patty I’m sure Luciano Pavarotti is fine with that. ❤
Diana xo
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Tim has gone from job to job and when he started each job he loved it but after a while he got fed up and wanted a change, he has been a bus driver this time around for 4 1/2 years and says he still loves it. It is better when you love your job but sometimes you have to work at a job you don’t love just to pay the bills
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Yup. True dat Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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I do love what I do for a job! Infact it isnt a job to me, but a passion. To see just one person move forward from their pain is so rewarding. I feel very blest. I guess no matter where we work, it will always be our attitude and belief about what we do. Great post to reflect on Diana! Happy Monday 🙂
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haha! Still Sunday here but Happy Monday to you my dear Karen! ❤
Diana xo
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Well hurry up and catch up!! 🙂
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I love my writing and am devoted to it, Diana, all the free-lance jobs stacked on top of each other.
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And you’re a wonderful writer ta boot Mark! ❤
Keep doing what you love!
Diana xo
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In today’s poor economy where jobs are not too plentiful, one must be thankful for what one has. How a job is done is a reflection one the one doing that job. Whether you are picking up refuse or performing brain surgery, either is very important to someone and must be valued as such.
The job you may be displeased with at the moment may just be the dream job for one who has nothing. Respect those unfortunates by doing your job well.
-Alan
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Yes Alan, I’ve been in that position a few times along the way… ❤
Diana xo
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Diana oh how I love that quote, devotion is a grand word to describe ones passion. I am working on doing what I love. But I am fortunate that my husband is working and this allows me to follow my dreams of creating art. A huge step for me will be opening my Etsy shop. Dreams can become real but we have to work hard at it. The world would be a happier place if we all enjoyed the work we do.
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I’m so glad your husband’s work allows you to follow your passion Kath. You are gifted and I am rooting for you! ❤
Diana xo
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Thanks I do feel the guilt thing happening, as he works so hard for us. But I am going to try and make a go of it Diana. Thanks for the encouragement. It means the world to me and this community is why it all happened, they and you gave me faith in my art.
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I love that I have a very good job. But there are some very difficult components to my job. There would be less stress in other jobs, more stress in other jobs. It all works out. I’m very lucky in that I don’t dread my job and I admire, greatly admire, the people I work with. So there are great bonuses to where I go to work.
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Ahh Colleen, to work together with people you admire and respect is an awesome blessing! ❤
Diana xo
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I do recognize the blessing Diana. When other things are difficult this is one thing that is a constant.
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One of the blessings of my life has been my work. I’ve always loved what I was doing — been challenged and grown by it.. (I took early retirement largely because that changed. If I hadn’t been eligible for retirement, I would have changed jobs.) Sometimes the people weren’t ideal, but the work — which was the point for me — always was.
One of the most common things people who work “in the movies” say about work is, “I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this!!” (One of the few (minor) regrets I have in life was not pursuing that more aggressively when I got out of college. I could have been working at Pixar all these years!)
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It has always been obvious to me how much you loved your work Smitty! ❤
Diana xo
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I loved this because I just changed jobs about 3 months ago after working at the same place for a decade! At a job I expected great things from and to retire from. I think that you really have to know the heart of the one who signs your pay checks… whether it is a corporation or a small business.
I saw red flags from the start and I wanted to just believe the best in the powers that were… And then it just got comfortable to KNOW my job and not want to get out of my comfort zone.
WHY??!!!!!
I finally couldn’t take it any longer and reached out to some ex bossess and asked for references and they both offered me jobs! So I am now working for my first boss and loving it! WHY did I wait so long?! Everyday I walk into work loving my job! Almost like having a baby when you can’t wait for the next day to see what new thing they are going to do!!!! My advice is if you don’t love it…. Find something you do. I actually thought I was clinically depressed! I didn’t need a pill! I needed to change things up! and get the heck out of Dodge! (So to speak) anyone reading this… DON’T wait a decade like I did! Get out of your comfort zone and be happy! Life is too short!
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Diane, your comment has me grinning ear-to-ear! I can feel your energy and passion and encouragement to others in every word! Thank you for stopping by and spreading your joy. ❤
Diana xo
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I’m a grateful 13 percenter!
It isn’t so much about what I do, but who I get to be when I am working.
I use my strengths and skills, have great colleagues, share similar values with the people around me and am always learning.
That’s what makes it all worthwhile.
xo
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I suspected as much Val. I am so happy for you. ❤
Diana xo
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I am incredibly lucky and grateful for my job. Working with young people in an early intervention mental health setting is such a privilege because of my own story, I know how important it is to have support these at the right time.
Also my colleagues are incredible people who have been there for me through my current difficulties too. Without my job, over the last year, I’m not sure if I would have made it through.
I often say I’d gladly still do my job for free, which through my volunteering I guess do too!
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Doing what you love is a blessing Laura. I’m so glad that you have this blessing in your life. ❤
Diana xo
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Even if we don’t like it, we are called to do it well, and being in the moment can change things.
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That it can Bill. 😀
Diana xo
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I do love what I do. I work in a library with some awesome people. And I blog. Can’t ask for anything better.
This reminds me of the Joseph Campbell quote: Follow your bliss.
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Good to hear Don, so you’re a 13 percenter?
Follow your bliss reminds me of that quote: throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow. 🙂
Diana xo
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What an awesome topic! I could write all day!! 🙂
Keeping it simple I think the secret to loving one’s work is to first understand what rewards it gives and to sort them into those that are within us and those granted by others. If we focus on the ones within us we are most likely to end up in a job we love.
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Thanks for this perspective Ian. So it may even be possible to love a job that you hate at the moment?? Interesting! ❤
Diana xo
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I think that is actually true, although it might be a challenge!
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Yes, it would be a challenge! I did it once. Can’t say I loved the job, ever, but I stopped hating it.
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No longer out in the workaday world – I used to work in a bank – I now have the time and freedom to pursue the things I longed to do back then: writing of all kinds, photography, and blogging. I liked my job back then, mind you, and did well with it, but I didn’t love it or feel devoted to it.
Maybe someday I will earn some money from “what I love to do”.
Jennifer xo
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I get a sneaking suspicion you will Jennifer! ❤
Diana xo
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I feel blessed. I love that I get to work in a space where I am making a difference every day. Definitely inspires me every day.
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What a great place to be Louise, I’m so happy for you! ❤
Diana xo
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