Should We Live to Work or Work to Live: Dream Job Vs. Job to Pay the Bills

It's not unusual to hear that over 70% of people are dissatisfied with their jobs and that over a third of people are either looking for another job or just going through the motions. It's also not unusual for many people to feel bad because instead of stepping into their dream job, they have unfortunately taken a job that pays the bills and puts food in their mouths. But what if that's okay? It's something to consider when you think about whether we work to live or live to work. Working to live means that we take a job that allows us to enjoy life.

The hours aren't too bad and the pay is pretty good, and as far as the work goes, hey we can tolerate it. But the point is that this job pays enough so that we can make a living. And after we tolerate an eight-hour day, we go home and have fun. We put some money away for retirement and spend the rest of the check at the local mall.

But living to work is an entirely different thing altogether.

This is what a person may be doing if they are currently working their dream job. Let's say for instance that a person is an actress. She probably went through a lot to get that job. Days spent on foot traveling to auditions, while taking advantage of her single status finally lands her on the set of a film. Who knows how little or how much she is getting paid for this first onscreen job. Who knows how much debt it took.

It could take the budding actress years of work before she becomes successful. And when she finally does make it, who knows what she'll have to do to maintain her star status. She might have to work 12-hour days. She might have to work weekends. She may even have to postpone parenting. An actress is an example of a person who lives to work. And what kind of life is that? Here are some things to consider when deciding if you should work to live or live to work:

Many dream jobs involve a lot of work to get to the place of fulfillment with little to no rewards along the way. Just ask an actor or a writer and you'll learn that it takes a lot to make it and many people don't end up "making it." However, some do, so the option to try or not to try is still a reasonable one.

Many females have to consider that there are other "options" that may be more important.

Sometimes, a dream job may interfere with how much time a mother is able to spend with her child. Due to the long hours and an occasional stigma that gets attached to women who might want to take maternity leave, females may be looking at some difficult decisions when it comes to working to live or living to work.

Dreams change.

What you dream of being when you are 18 often changes when you get to the age of 25, 30, and definitely 40. Even worse, by the age of 40, you may be wishing you pursued something altogether different. So be aware that your dreams might change, and remember to stay flexible.

Lastly, when the going gets tough and you remember times when you had a peaceful life at home after you left your mediocre job, continue to ask yourself this question, do you want to work to live or live to work?