Are you who you wanted to be?

Peter Crocker The other day, I caught the end of a radio report on recent research into careers and happiness. The researchers asked: “Are you doing what you’ve always wanted to do?” and, “Given the chance, would you change careers?”

Unsurprisingly, the answers showed that most people don’t end up doing what they really wanted to do as a kid.

My almost seven year old daughter recently told me that she wants to be a part-time vet, part-time teacher and part-time flower shop assistant. She’d previously wanted to be a chicken holder, nurse and singer.

I remember wanting to be a gardener, psychologist, writer, cricketer and architect. Mum tells me the one consistent thing I did say was that I didn’t want to work in an office all day.

And a specific piece of career advice my dad gave me was “Don’t be an accountant!” A career he’d been in for decades.

So why, after all that, I chose to study business and went straight into an office job for five years is still beyond me! A lot of people, myself included, tend to just go with the current and end up in an unsuitable career.

A majority of comments in response to my recent article, I don’t love my work, do you? were from people who really do love what they do every day. From this, I’ve deduced that starting a business is what people do once they know what they love.

I eventually managed to make a career out of writing, something I do enjoy, but only after several jobs that I didn’t.

What about you? Are you doing what you always wanted to do? Given the chance, would you choose a different path? Please let us know.

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Until next week.

Love your work,

Peter Crocker is a director of Flying Solo responsible for the areas of marketing and advertising. He is a business copywriter specialising in websites, videos and marketing communications.

33 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

I wanted to be a pilot and now, according to a retired corporate finance friend, I'm a seagull "like all consultants, you fly in, drop crap on everyone and fly out". A bit harsh, I thought!! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
I wanted to be a fashion designer, then a human rights lawyer... but I ended up in public policy. I have to admit, it has been great but I burnt out. I'm now running my own consultancy and LOVING IT!! Simone Kolaric from Sydney
I love what I do. I'd always wanted to be home, be a mother, and run my own business - doing what, I wasn't sure. But years of experience in various areas helped shaped what I was good at. And today I'm doing my number one love - writing. Having just published another book last month I'm thrilled that I am doing what I dreamed about as a child. Kathie M. Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary from Melbourne, Australia
I am one of those few who are lucky enough to have an intense passion and love going to work each and every day. I am working in an area that I recall telling everyone that I was always going to do since the age of 4 years. So far I have been doing it for 8 years and I can see myself retiring there. And yes, there were other jobs along the way, but I had to put things in place in order to follow my dreams. It's really not Work when you love it. Troy Meagher from Melbourne
When asked at secondary school what I wanted to do when I grew up I said I wanted to be a mother. The teacher and other kids thought this was strange as most children at my school wanted to study at uni after school and have a career. After having studied medicine at uni for seven years (parental and societal pressure), I now take care of children professionally and absolutely love it! Daphne from Cairns
Nice article Pete,
For many years I could think of nothing better than becoming a historian.
Then one day I suddenly realised there was no future in it.
Cheers. Carl Sherriff from Sydney | Read my articles

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