Are you in love with your job? Perhaps you are simply in “like” with your job. Then again, you might just be hanging around until something better comes along secretly hating every soul-killing moment your at the office. This month we are tackling the topic of finding the right job that you can “fall in love with” and stay with for years to come. I know what you are thinking. This sounds overly romantic for something as staid as work. Not to mention, this idea stands in stark contrast to the cultural trends of “no loyalty” and “job-hopping” we’ve seen increase over the last several decades. I hear you, but my question to you is simple: “why not?” Why not fall in love with your job?

Your Work Soul Mate

You can “poo poo” me all you want, but deep down I know the truth: you really want a job that feels like your soul mate. And just like romantic love, wouldn’t you love to be able to say your job had all of the following characteristics:

• Appreciates your uniqueness – your talents and skills
• Feels “easy”
• Challenges you to be better
• Feels like you are headed somewhere each and every day – on a mission
• Feels productive
• Meets your needs
• A perfect reflection of who you are and what you stand for

You’re sold aren’t you? I do teach persuasion and influence classes after all.

Your Excuses

Assuming my masterful persuasion skillz (with a “z”) have gotten you to see the light, the next big question standing in the way is clear: What’s holding you back from finding the ONE (the right job)? It turns out that we use all of the same excuses whether we are looking for the perfect job or the perfect partner:

• I don’t know what the ONE looks like
• I have a history / pattern of unhealthy jobs (I’m attracted to dysfunction. Sorry.)
• I can change this one to be the ONE
• I’ve come to the realization that the ONE is just not out there
• I missed my chance
• I need to settle (after all, real “love” is overrated, an immature concept, etc…)
• I’m meant to be “single”
• I’m not smart enough, qualified enough, (insert your version of) enough, etc…
• I’m too old
• I prefer to live with lots and lots of cats (cats can be pretty time consuming)

Consider this month as a funky combination of relationship therapy, career builder, match.com and the angry trainer at the gym. I don’t know how it’s gonna turn out but who can resist that mix? Even train wrecks have a certain appeal. And who knows, I might just throw in a dozen cats for good measure.

Speaking of cats, here is someone who really, really loves cats. While I would not recommend this approach to either dating or interviewing, I’m going to let you be the judge…