Do what you love, and you’ll work every day of your life

Have you ever heard the expression "do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life?" It’s a common mantra I’ve heard to explain that when you’re working toward a passion, it doesn’t feel like hard work. But I disagree.

While living out your dreams is rewarding, the daily reality of being self-employed can be exhausting. When you venture into entrepreneurship and pursue your passions, you quickly discover that every day demands that you learn, adapt, and optimize. But don’t be discouraged by the bittersweet truth of being your own boss: doing what you love is fulfilling, and having passion for your work gives you the extra boost you need to be your best. 

Here are some of the realities of self-employment, to help you better understand why doing what you love is work, and why all work, I think, is honorable:

No true days off

When you run your own business, the concept of a typical nine-to-five schedule goes out the window. In self-employment, there are no set working hours or weekends. While this might seem flexible and freeing, it actually can mean that the lines between your work life and personal life get blurred. You’ve likely heard someone call their business their “baby,” and it’s true: between overhead costs, minimizing liability, finding new opportunities/investors, and staying on top of taxes and regulations, your work will not always end at 5pm on a Friday. There have been plenty of times I’ve tried to take a weekend trip with my husband and had trouble unplugging from various business needs in my mind. 

With great responsibility, though, comes great perks. As an entrepreneur, I also have the power to design my days according to my preferences and natural flow. If you’re a morning person, this can mean scheduling deep work before your employees log on for the day, and limiting your distractions. If you’re a night owl, it can mean that you prioritize important tasks at the end of each day. When you’re in control of your own time, you tailor your work and priorities. 

To help combat the pressure of limited time off, work on implementing systems for yourself that block your time accordingly. If you’ve got an overwhelming schedule, commit to only spending a set amount of time on each priority, which will drive you to make the most of your availability. 

Another important tip is to get into the practice of mindfulness with your business. If and when you feel yourself being unable to enjoy leisure time, take a step back and remind yourself that life can’t be all work, all the time. It’s a balancing act all entrepreneurs have to learn to navigate, and one I get asked about by my mentees all the time.

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable

Being self-employed also means navigating uncharted waters all the time. You wear multiple hats, from managing operations and finances, to marketing and customer service. Each day presents unique challenges that demand your attention. To be blunt, on some of these days, you might feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. That’s the beautiful challenge in entrepreneurship: every business will bring out opportunities for you to rise to the occasion. 

These unpredictable challenges and risks are also opportunities for personal and professional growth. Embracing them with an open mind and a willingness to learn will lead to a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.

For example, even with numerous years of entrepreneurship under my belt, there was no way for me to have predicted that a global pandemic would arise and nearly crash my newest venture. In fact, many hard-working and incredible entrepreneurs did lose their companies as a result of the crisis. But through creativity, community, and resilience, we were fortunate to find our way.

With a willingness to learn and a good attitude, you’ll eventually adjust to the inherent unpredictability of business, and embrace the unknown. 

Is entrepreneurship worth it in the end? 

Despite the hardships, there’s so much satisfaction that comes with pursuing your passions. When you are genuinely invested in what you do, your work becomes more than just a means to an end. It becomes a source of joy, fulfillment, and purpose. The sense of pride and accomplishment that accompanies every milestone achieved fuels your determination to keep going, and as you scale, you’re able to share in some of the responsibilities (and joy) with a team that shares your values.

That said, there’s no shame in other paths to work. Whether you’re a tradesman, nanny, or climbing the corporate ladder, I believe there’s honor in all work, and beauty in earning lives we’re proud of. If you’d rather have a set schedule and a clear path to income and stability, a more traditional career path may be better-suited for you, and that’s amazing, too. 

My tips for staying sane in the hustle

The path to “success,” however you define it, is not always smooth. There will be moments of doubt and uncertainty. You may face setbacks and obstacles that test your resolve. During moments like these (which I’ve had many of), find ways to encourage yourself, and lean on the people who matter. In addition to being your own best advocate and cheerleader, find community members, friends, and mentors who can help provide some motivation to persevere when the going gets tough.

Consider onboarding softwares and systems to help you manage moving priorities, or bring on a helpful virtual assistant who can take on important tasks. No matter how you find your balance, be adaptable, flexible, and willing to admit when you need help.

Finally, have the humility to delegate and outsource where you can. No one can do it all, so don’t be afraid to bring on help for areas you struggle with, such as administrative tasks, graphic design, or even just things you don’t enjoy doing in business. Outsourcing can free up your time for more strategic decisions, so use it when and where possible.

In the journey of self-employment and doing what you love, each day is an adventure. It requires an entrepreneurial spirit that embraces challenges as opportunities and views hard work as an investment. While there aren’t any true days off, it’s rewarding to live out your dreams and build something you’re proud of. Embrace the challenges, encourage yourself to keep going, and remember that when you do what you love, you'll find purpose in every step you take.