4 ms·

The three balances one must make with their career is: (1) doing things you enjoy, (2) doing things you’re good at, and (3) doing things other people want. Hav

by j7ake 4y ago

The three balances one must make with their career is: (1) doing things you enjoy, (2) doing things you’re good at, and (3) doing things other people want. Having only 1 or 2 of these 3 can be OK, but not ultimately fulfilling or sustainable. In this framework, the author is saying one should shift more weight towards doing what you enjoy (and are good at), and less what others want. I think the balance is dynamic, and changes as you get older. Under the apprenticeship model, you start heavily doing what others want, while building what you’re good at. Once you’ve proven you have real skills and can provide value to the world, you think how to mix that into a unique way to deliver value to the world while being able to express your unique self.

HPsquared 4y ago
The satisfaction to be gained from doing "what others want" also depends massively on who those other people are, and the nature of your relationship with them.
- DiggyJohnson 4y ago
  Well said, there’s nothing better than finding genuine motivation to get something done, not just because you want to complete it, but because those you respect also respect you, and will be grateful for its completion.
JadeNB 4y ago
> The three balances one must make with their career is: (1) doing things you enjoy, (2) doing things you’re good at, and (3) doing things other people want. > Having only 1 or 2 of these 3 can be OK, but not ultimately fulfilling or sustainable. Surely you mean "fulfilling and sustainable"? It seems to me that there are certainly people who find great fulfillment by satisfying (1) and (2) without (3), even if they have to sacrifice for it (and even then, sometimes if you (1) and (2) hard enough it'll create (3)—think of how many esoteric passion projects get rapt attention, and sometimes even financial support, when the right community of interested people finds them).
- j7ake 4y ago
  If you can create (3) later then that’s great. A lack of (3) is not sustainable because you are unlikely to get paid, and your peers ignore your work and ideas, which can be demoralising. I think one can get used to not getting paid (if you have independent funds), but being ignored is something one can rarely get used to.

by j7ake 4y ago

HPsquared 4y ago

The satisfaction to be gained from doing "what others want" also depends massively on who those other people are, and the nature of your relationship with them.

DiggyJohnson 4y ago
Well said, there’s nothing better than finding genuine motivation to get something done, not just because you want to complete it, but because those you respect also respect you, and will be grateful for its completion.

JadeNB 4y ago

> The three balances one must make with their career is: (1) doing things you enjoy, (2) doing things you’re good at, and (3) doing things other people want. > Having only 1 or 2 of these 3 can be OK, but not ultimately fulfilling or sustainable. Surely you mean "fulfilling and sustainable"? It seems to me that there are certainly people who find great fulfillment by satisfying (1) and (2) without (3), even if they have to sacrifice for it (and even then, sometimes if you (1) and (2) hard enough it'll create (3)—think of how many esoteric passion projects get rapt attention, and sometimes even financial support, when the right community of interested people finds them).

j7ake 4y ago
If you can create (3) later then that’s great. A lack of (3) is not sustainable because you are unlikely to get paid, and your peers ignore your work and ideas, which can be demoralising. I think one can get used to not getting paid (if you have independent funds), but being ignored is something one can rarely get used to.