How to Finally, Happily, Leave a Career

Do Not Follow Your Passion. Follow Something Else.

How many of us wonder about this?  What it would be like to try something completely different from our current career?

One possibility. Photo by author.

I thought it was a good question to ponder. So I got out my old scientific calculator, punched the data into a few functions, and the answer was faithfully returned:  It’s every freakin’ one of us.  100% wonder what it would be like to try something else. You, me, everyone.  I’ve tweaked all the variables, recalculated, and the answer comes up the same every time.

Whether or not we ever actually try, we all wonder.  Send me a note if your math is different.

However.  For those of us who DO want to try something new, things can get confusing in a big fat hurry.  How does a person decide?  What exactly might I seriously attempt?  And what if this new thing is not as good as what I was doing before?  Am I wasting my time even imagining the possibilities?

For many of us it’s hard to know where to start.

I had a few cups of java, and I tried some things.

Sustenance. Photo by author.

I’d said I was retired from executive life a few times.  At one point I got a teaching credential.  It sounded interesting, and I had romantic notions of changing the lives of kids.  The notions remain, but nope.  Didn’t grab me the way it needed to.  In contrast, executive life was still fun, challenging, and rewarding, and it drew me back. 

For a while, that is.  I still wanted something else.  I looked at serving on charity boards, donating time, getting involved in community projects.  Hoping to make a difference. I also tried just “relaxing” by hiking, golfing, and snapping a photo here and there.  It wasn’t enough.  I paused working periodically, but I always returned to executive roles.

So what if I did? Why complain, even to myself?  My life was good!  It felt crazy to be dissatisfied.

Here’s the thing. So far as I know, you only live life once, and I wanted more than just relaxing, I wanted new experiences.  They just had to “fit”, be rewarding, and in some way be generous to others. That’s what I refer to as “more.”

Yes, I wanted more.  You too?

I eventually got advice that changed things.  After searching for guidance repeatedly.  I’d read books and articles on choosing my path and talked with plenty of people.  Parachutes are fine and all, but none of it helped.

Then finally, somewhere along the way, I got advice that made a difference.  It was this: “Pursue something you’re curious about.” 

A Study in Curiosity. Photo by author.

I’m not even sure who said it, but that one distinction shifted things.  Previously I’d been looking for Passion.  People say it all the time: “Follow your Passion.”  I consider the advice to be flawed.  Passions are great and all.  But Passions can come and go depending on mood, external factors, etc.  Passions can be flighty.  One day here, the next day gone, sometimes forever.

On the other hand, Curiosity tends to endure.  Curiosity is relentless, and reliable.  Curiosity might get interrupted, but it keeps coming back.  Even when Life happens, it waits patiently to re-emerge. 

I tried it. I listened to Curiosity. Or perhaps I looked through the lens of Curiosity. But I’ve always been curious about being a great portrait photographer.  Super Curious.  Not about being decent.  Not good.  Great.  Because… well, there is no because.  “We don’t need no stinkin’ reasons!”  (or badges).  This is just where Curiosity led me, and leads me today. And I finally, happily, left my prior career behind. 

You may already realize that I’ve photographed a bunch of different things over the years. Earned some cash, received some awards and accolades.  I still make quite a variety of images.  Honestly anything can be a subject.

But Curiosity now has me focused sharply on people.  Making portraits, telling stories. Inspired by many other great artists, while doing my own thing. 

After receiving this image, Alex said: “I feel seen.” Photo by author

It’s been fantastic, and the process brings unexpected rewards. Just after choosing my path, I randomly met a 100-year-old, still-jumping-paratrooper who’d jumped behind lines at Normandy.  This happened only because I was taking pictures. 

I regularly discover new things purely because I’m engaged and curious.  For example, one of my favorite CEO’s regularly throws pots (making pottery, not hurling cookware).  How human of her!  Conversely, a person I’d once worked with in a non-descript, cubicle-based environment turns out to be a fantastically successful, connected, Life and Leadership Coach. 

I would never have known any of these things.

It's a joyous side effect of where Curiosity has led me.

I waited for a little while to write this, just to ensure that it was truly different from my previous explorations.  I’d wanted to find a path that “fit” me, was rewarding, and in some way was generous. Check, check, check. Creating from Curiosity, for myself and others, lights both of us up.  Myself, the subject, and possibly other viewers too. And here’s the thing.  When people are lit up, they tend to make a difference with other folks that they interact with.  I’ve always wanted to make a difference somehow, and now it’s channeled in a sustainable way.  It may sound grandiose to declare this as “difference-making.”  But I don’t think it is.

Adrian, lit up. Photo by author

You may have no interest in becoming a photographer. But are you ready for more, too?  Consider the big C.   Whether it impacts a new vocation, a side-gig, or your leisure time, I think you’ll like what comes next.

Donn

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Are you already curious about something? Or have anything else to say? Let us know in the comments below!!!

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If you like this post you’re bound to like the next one as well. I promise to write periodically but not excessively. Quit any time, or better yet, stay and read on!

Know anybody who should hear about all this? Be a friend and let them know!

Or, are you interested in seeing more work? My website welcomes you. We may even want to work together. I promise a joyous and productive experience if we do. www.dobkinphoto.com