There are a few careers that spontaneously trigger a reaction of “how can someone get paid to have so much fun?” But after the initial envy and frustration have settled, a deeper look reveals a different picture with less of a halo.
Traveling, eating gourmet food, meeting celebrities is a full-time job
The industry that mostly makes the normal 9 to 5 office-bound workers feel like they’ve seriously must have missed the boat is the entertainment industry. TV presenters of lifestyle programmes are an excellent example. They travel to exotic locations, eat first-class cuisine, get spa treatments, take part in adrenaline pumping adventure activities, meet celebrities and other interesting people, while having a dedicated team attending to their wardrobe and personal care at all times. But wait, there is more: Not only do they do all this at someone else’s expense, they get paid to do it! (And my guess is probably more than many of us sweating it out in front of a computer screen all day.)
Or [your dream here] is a full-time job
Before I go on, I need to acknowledge that this might not sound like a dream to every single person. You might have all kinds of queer food allergies that allow you to eat only unbuttered bread and sardines; you might have a fear of heights that makes you cringe at the mere thought of living on the second floor, never mind bungee jumping; or you might be one of those people that either hyperventilate or gape like a fish at a loss for words when you see a famous person. I am all for respecting diversity, but there are other similar careers that also fall in this category that can support my theory, like modeling. (And food allergies are probably not a problem in this field.)
Life does sometimes seem just a little unfair
Let’s get back to the point, namely that there are many careers that seem like loads of fun, filled with excitement and thrills, with lots of add-ons and benefits, and that (on the surface) simply seem less stressful, frustrating and mediocre than a mainstream office job. These jobs seem to boost you in sucking the marrow out of life, instead of draining all your energy and motivation, making you feel life is, after all, not that fair.
The proof is in the pudding
At this stage I must maybe mention that I’ve seen interviews with for example supermodels who have admitted there really isn’t much of a downside to their job: They get to see wonderful places, don’t have much stress and are looked after well. One actually literally said: “It’s not hard looking pretty when you are pretty.” (Now there’s an earth shattering statement if you’ve ever heard one.) I am therefore positive that this perception is not only an abstract thought in my mind.
Getting perspective saves the day
I am myself guilty of often idealizing jobs like these, feeling all the more dissatisfied with my career. But after revising my perspective on the situation, I suddenly realised I might be better off. Because if you have such a brilliant time while at work (which, as we all know, is most your life), what do you for fun? Where do you eat if you’ve just been the first one to sample the five star menu at the One and Only hotel in Cape Town? How do you relax if you’ve recently been treated with the latest hot stone massage technique at a spa fit for a queen? What concert do you take your loved on to if you had a beer with Bono the night before?
Having an ordinary job puts back the glam in glamorous
After all this mental gymnastics I felt quite satisfied with my job and all it entails. Not only that, I almost felt proud. Because at the end of the day, the stress and
challenges I have to deal with every day that on the surface seem mundane and wearisome, are teaching me invaluable skills that I can apply to many areas of life, add to my character and make me appreciate the small pleasures. And when I want to do something special, I save up a little money (as my budget of course does not allow for regular luxuries), go to a lovely restaurant wearing a new top I for once didn’t buy on sale and, who knows, I might even have dessert. And it will be a glamorous evening.
only me musing 