Can you remember what your dream was when you were young? Did you want to become a doctor, an engineer or a movie star? What are you doing right now? Are you doing your dream job or did you settle for a job that is more financially rewarding? Are you occupationally well? If money is not an issue, will you choose your dream job vs high-paying job?
Because of dreams to have a better life, most people just settle. Following the money means bridging the gap between your income and expenses. However, studies have proven that doing what you love will make you work harder and stay focused in the long run. People who align their chosen career with their strengths and weaknesses become more successful. The key to success lies in your passion. In pursuing a career, choose something based on your interests. Happiness and job satisfaction are essential to success.
For parents, the biggest mistake that you can make is to force your children to take courses based on what you want them to be. This should not be the case. For their own good, give them the freedom to decide on their future career. As a parent, you have a duty to help your children achieve their dreams.
There are sixteen career clusters to choose from. Tap into your natural talents and you will be appreciated and acknowledged by your peers. And before you know it, you will be creating the lifestyle that you love. Wealth and prestige will follow suit.
According to US News, the highest paying jobs in the world for 2022 include the following:
- Anesthesiologist, Surgeon, Obstetrician, Physician
- Orthodontist, Oral Surgeon
- Psychiatrist
- Pilot
- IT Manager, Finance Manager
- Petroleum Engineer
You will notice that most of them involve highly-specialized skills and entails years and years of studying and training. They probably spent at least 10,000 hours studying and mastering their craft. If you don’t love what you are doing, it would be very difficult to be successful in that particular field. Although there are other professions in the list that do not involve years of studying, they are physically demanding, very risky and involve working away from your loved ones.
Remember that choosing a career that offers a high-paying job may have its immediate benefits but it will not be so beneficial in the long run. Your peers in the same industry who chose that specific career because they love what they are doing will definitely outperform those people who are doing it for the money. Thus, the climb to the corporate ladder will be easier and faster for these people.
On the other hand, choosing a career based on your interests may not be as enticing as the ones that are offering high salaries but if you enjoy what you are doing you will be more productive. You will be promoted faster. And obviously, managers earn more than twice the amount of any junior executives out there. This choice is obviously much better than being stuck in the junior executive level for a much longer period doing something that you don’t enjoy.
If wealth is your goal, remember that wealth is a mindset. It does not matter how small or how big your salary is. If you don’t know how to handle money, it will never be enough for you. Instead, it is best that you start your financial literacy journey.
Rather than chasing the money, it is better to know yourself first. What are you good at what do you love doing? What are your skills and talents? Find your passion. Unleash the genius within you. Chase your dreams. Then, believe in yourself. Trust that someday you will be able to make it.
Updated Version. First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 03.29.2019.
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