New Worker Mag » Thought Lab » You’ll never see me looking for a job

by Brent Comstock

I know what you’re thinking… liar! Allow me to explain.

Since my return from traveling, I had some time to really think about the things that are important to me in life. In my classic Type-A, organizational-freak personality, I made a spreadsheet of the priorities. Fortunately for you, though, I won’t share them.

What I realized is that I have a true passion for many things. Probably too many. I’ve been coaching startups in Nebraska, North Carolina, and Italy. Building a high-growth branding agency. Sharing my musical gifts here and there at various churches and events. I also have a passion for coffee. Don’t judge.

With most of these passions, though, comes a “title.” Coach, CEO, accompanist, coffee-addict… Many would associate a title with the word job. “What do you do?” means “what’s your job?” Job, job, job.

I hate the J-word.

You hear it from the time you reach middle school and you’ll hear it for the rest of your life. Get a job. Get a good job. Get a well-paid job. Does your job have benefits?

So… I don’t have a job. Never have, never will. At this point you’re probably wondering what the hell I’m smoking. I assure you, nothing. Yes, I spend 95% of my life working, and, yes, I should probably slow down some. But why? I’ve never considered anything I do a job. I consider it a passion; a way of life. People tell me to take a vacation. Vacations exist because people are tired of their jobs. Since I don’t have one, I guess that solves that probably. Excellent logic, huh?

I’m blessed to be able to do things that I’m passionate about. I know that not everyone is presented with such opportunities. In a lot of my work, I hope to show people that you don’t have to look for a j%b in life; if you can harness your passion, no matter where you are, you can turn that into a way to pay the bills, and maybe even a life of happiness and community (cue in the happy music and the perfect scenery).

For those of you who have a job: I get it. But is your job truly your passion? If yes, great. If not, how can you make it something you’re passionate about? What needs to happen so that you wake up every day and can go, go, go like the Energizer Bunny, and not think of it as stress or work? It’s a question worth asking, and one I anticipate continuing to ask myself. Maybe with the aid of some coffee and a spreadsheet, I’ll be able to make sure I always come up with an answer.