The main difference between a job and a career is that a job is just something you do for money, whereas a career is a substantial endeavor, something you work towards and build upon every day… with a goal that you want to eventually achieve. Whereas a job is typically one role, a career is built from a combination of roles, including experiences, education, achievements, and pathways you take on the road to your goal.
So, which one do you have, a job or a career? More Importantly, do you love it?
Let’s face it, few people have a career on day one. For most people, their job begins as a matter of necessity – to pay groceries, rent, car and insurance payments. Once the cadence of a regular paycheck becomes normal, it still takes years before people reach a level of experience where they feel as though their job has become more of a career. The 10,000-hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell is a fair representation of the timeline for transition from “job to career”, although each person is different.
The transition from “job to career” is informal; there’s no change in title or compensation… one day you just wake up and realize your job means more to you than money. For most financial advisers, the transition to a career will be strongly correlated to their passion for positive client outcomes. A career in financial advice can be filled with positive reinforcement – helping clients as they transition from one phase of life to the next – and knowing that their success is your success as well.
Valentine’s Day is a great day to reflect on the people who make a difference in your life, as well as the difference you make in theirs. A passion for supporting positive client outcomes is a passion for life. The best way to guarantee a successful career – at any stage – is by choosing a firm that supports that passion. When you choose to partner with a firm that fully supports your career, you’ll find everyone benefits: your clients, your family & friends, and yourself.