I think we’ve all heard the saying, “Find what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” But how many of us actually love our work so much that it doesn’t feel like work? Does anyone? If my work feels like work, am I doing it wrong? Did I pick the wrong career? Am I a sucker, going to work every day while everyone else is doing what they love?
This article from the Dorie Clark newsletter presents a better idea. Aim to love at least 20% of what you do- instead of loving everything, find certain aspects of what you do, certain situations or moments, that you love. Apparently there’s actual data that shows 20% is a good threshold.
Well! I can do that! When I really think about my job (as a massage therapist), realistically the amount of time I’m in a “flow” state, where I’m completely absorbed in the work, or end a session with a sense of exhilaration, is about 20%. There’s probably about 20% of the time (give or take, depending on the day) where I’m actually uncomfortable- either too warm, or something hurts, or I have a difficult client- and the rest of the time falls somewhere in between.
I thought about this at work today, and it actually made my job more pleasant. I allowed myself to admit that I don’t like certain things- like I’m not crazy about working on people’s arms- but also thought about those parts of the massage that make up the 20% that I enjoy. I applied the same strategy to the bigger picture- I don’t usually like greeting brand-new people (my old shyness kicks in) but I do enjoy getting caught up with clients I see regularly. It was freeing to acknowledge that there are aspects of the job I don’t like- but that doesn’t mean I’m doing anything wrong. It’s just life.
So then I started thinking about running. Obviously I like much more than 20% of my running, right? Of course I don’t love every minute of every run- I’ve had some very uncomfortable runs lately in the heat.
Come to think of it, I have plenty of unpleasant moments in my runs. Races where the last mile (or two) is torture, long runs where it feels like the sun is trying to kill me, and some speed work sessions where I just want to quit and lie down. Hmm, that’s funny…
In all honesty, only about 20% of my runs have that effortless, flying quality; about 20% feel awful and I want to quit, and the rest are somewhere in between. Kind of like the rest of life- and yet I’ve never questioned whether or not I love running, or thought that maybe I’m in the wrong sport. I just accept the good with the bad and leave it at that. So why not do that with the rest of life- work, family, household chores…aim to love 20% and call it a success? Maybe the 20% formula is the secret to living a happier life.
How about you? What percentage of your work do you truly love? Is it more or less than 20%? Does 20% sound too low to you?
25 Responses
You know that I needed this post! I’ve had a couple of AH-mazing jobs and currently I have a job that is just OK. A few months ago I realized that OK isn’t good enough and started looking but I haven’t found anything yet so I’m working on how to be happy with what I have until something better comes along. At least I’m hitting the 20% mark!
Yes, aim for the 20% mark and know that you’re just about average! Glad this helped.
The 20% rule sounds quite accurate! Although, I do love my job most days. The one thing I detest, though, is having to answer all the incoming calls… but probably less than 20% of those are actually annoying. And, it is fulfilling when I’m able to assist a caller who has no clue on whom I need to direct them to or (sometimes) troubleshoot an answer on my own. So there’s that 🙂
Yes, and I know you manage to find the good in just about everything. I don’t now exactly what your job entails, but answering incoming calls would be my least favorite part as well!
I’d say that 80% of my current job is unpleasant. But it is what it is and it’s a paycheck. I’m too old to care.
Running is the opposite. When I run alone, it is often not enjoyable but I feel silicified that it is done. I’m not sure my running is ever effortless. I accept it to be hard and a challenge.
The good 80% comes from the people I’ve met because I run, the places I’ve visited, and the health benefits.
Ugh, 80% unpleasant for you job is a lot! I’m glad running makes up for it (somewhat.)
** satisfied that it is done
I think probably 30-40% of my job is enjoyable? I like working in excel, answering questions, reading articles to help me understand financial markets (which are soooo whacky right now). What matters most is that I really like my boss and coworkers. I also mostly like the sales people I support and the portfolio managers I work with. There are very few people that I outright do not like. I’ve had jobs that I absolutely hated but it was always about who I was working with/the culture of the organization. The jobs weren’t that different as I was focused on the same thing (the bond market) but I was so miserable in those previous roles, to the extent that I would sometimes cry in the bathroom!! I’ve been in this role/at this company for 7 years and have never cried because of work, at least not that I can recall!
I feel like this 20% rule is applicable to many areas. Like parenting!! My feelings are probably similar to your feelings about running (which aligns with my feelings about running). I really like 20% of parenting, and I really dislike 20% of parenting, and then the rest is just sort of ‘good/fine/ok’. I think/hope those %s will shift as our kids get older (thanks for commiserating about sleep regressions!!). I really like Paul’s stage for the most part – probably 90% of my interactions with him are enjoyable. That split is different for the 18mo since he can’t communicate and has a short attention span so it’s not the most enjoyable stage of parenting – but there are positive aspects, too.
Yes that 20% rule definitely applies to parenting. And I think it helps to realize that, because I remember feeling kind of guilty that I didn’t enjoy it closer to 100%- but I now realize that’s totally unrealistic.
I think it’s hard to find anyone that loves their job 100% of the time. For me, I would say that I love my job about 50% of the time. Sometimes I really don’t like all the politics and certain operating systems that we use, but at the core, I know that the work I am doing is making a difference.
50% of the time is amazing! I wish I could say that, but I’m realistically down at 20%.
What an interesting concept, Jenny! I think it’s spot on.
We are paid for the tedious 80% – the nice 20% make it bearable. In fact, I think the higher the paycheck, the more boring and exhausting stuff people have to deal with.
Ha, you could be right- my job really isn’t boring, but maybe my paycheck reflects that fact!
I have to really think about this one! I love working with nutrition clients but of course, some of them frustrate me. I do love working out and running more than 20% but not every run is sunshine and flowers right?
No, but it’s funny how in retrospect I think I loved every run. When I really thought about it I realized that was not the case!
Ohhh. I love this post. And think it’s bang on. I’d say 20% of my job (both professionally in project management AND in household/kid management) I love, 20% I dread/actively dislike, and the rest falls somewhere in the middle.
You’re right – reframing it that way is actually really helpful.
I’d love to love my paid work more, but I can also be thankful that I only actively dislike 20% of it, too! And in general, I’m trying to be more appreciative of the fact I have a job. I know I take the privilege for granted, and to have a very, very flexible job with a great work culture/environment is such a blessing and too often I gloss over how fortunate I am.
Great post, Jenny!
Thank you Elisabeth! The newsletter where I read the article has a lot of other really interesting things as well.
This is interesting, I was just talking to a friend about the concept of being in the flow. I mean, I’m a yoga teacher so I don’t know if that even counts. Literally I’m always in the flow. But when I was working an actual office job…hmm…I would say I probably liked more than 20% so I will call that a happy win. But I haven’t been in the office since 2004.
I actually have a visceral reaction to that “never work a day in your life” saying, because work is work and that’s why we get paid to do it, rather than doing it for free BUT having job satisfaction is a good thing. My dad said to me, back in my early career days, that it’s not about fulfillment, it’s about making the most money possible and then enjoying the time off. I mean, there’s probably a balance there, but I do always think about it.
Yes, a lot of people have your dad’s philosophy, and it’s not all wrong. Even if you don’t love your job, if it pays you well enough to have amazing leisure time then maybe that’s a win.
I’ve had a few different jobs over the years. Usually I start out loving it, but end up really hating it (over years). So far I haven’t really found my place with Yoga, which is frustrating.
But I’ll also take a page from my running playbook — one thing I’m very good at is consistency, just keep showing up & doing the “work” so to speak. 🙂
You find such interesting stuff, Jenny!
Thanks Judy! Funny how the lessons we learn from running- in your case consistency, in mine the 20% equation- help us so much in life!
I’ve always hated that quote because no matter what, even if you love what you do, there are days (more often than not) where it will just feel like work. It will be stressful and frustrating because that’s just how things go. Thankfully, I do really like my job and I would say my percentage is much higher than 20%. Maybe even 40-50%? There are some things I don’t like, of course, but for the most part, I’m happy to show up every day and do my job.
Yes, that’s a good attitude! And 40-50% is great. Of course there’s still the other 50% but you just accept that as part of life.
I do love my job (most of the time) and the perks that come with it. Let’s not talk about salary. You can’t get rich in the government sector… but I do like the benefits that come with it and I have flexible work hours. I don’t think anyone loves their job 100% of the time, even people who make their hobby their career, because there will always be aspects of a job that “need to be done” but are not fun. I think I’d say it’s 50/50 for me.
50/50 is pretty good! Yes, jobs in the government have amazing benefits.