Well? What job is right for me? One of the questions I see over and over again, from kids in school right up to the middle and old ages. Not “who is willing to employ me?” or “what pays me the most money?”. Here’s my take on what job is right for me, and for the right reasons.

• A job that allows me enough time to myself. Just because working endless hours will inevitably make you more money, it doesn’t mean that’s a good thing. I remember times growing up when my father worked endless hours, and eventually it got him to a place in life where he was kind of happy, taking a good pension and not working ridiculous hours anymore. However, I believe that in the world today, we don’t have to work 70 hours a week if we don’t want to. If your job is your passion, and you find it fun, then 70 hours of it is fine, but if you don’t enjoy it that much, you need other options.
• A job that lets me grow. You need to grow at work, your soul will be destroyed if your job is dead end and doesn’t allow you to learn and improve as a person. That’s what a career should be, an opportunity to hone your skills and bloom, not just a paycheck.
• A job that I enjoy. No, it’s not too good to be true. In fact, if this is something you don’t currently have, then in my opinion, you need to put it top of your list of ambitions. You spend a large chunk of your life working, even if you’re lucky enough to have passive income or your own businesses. Don’t let society drill into you that enjoyable jobs are a myth, chase them.
• A job that pays me fairly. Usually, in my experience, this comes from self-employment. Why would anybody ever pay you unless they’re earning money out of you? To get paid what you deserve you usually have to work for yourself, or become utterly indispensable to your employee.
• A job with a pay day. This is the sad thing that drives most of us into activities we hate, which is understandable. Your understanding of a pay check, and whether you really need to sell your soul for one, can be what makes or breaks your life. Seriously. If you can afford to go and live with a friend, borrow some money or move back in with your parents while you’re getting something off the ground, it might be the best thing you ever do. Breaking the pattern of working your backside off just to pay the rent might free you up to chase your passions, and if you don’t have a payday for six months, well boohoo, but you might just be able to make your next 30 years of paydays much more lucrative by doing so. Think long term.

Of course, us folks at escape nine to five have a different perspective to the mainstream or media. The job most suited to you doesn’t depend on your qualifications or your skill set, it depends on what you love and how hard you are willing to work for that. Don’t get sucked down into the rat race folks.