What Do You Hate About Your Career That You Need To Embrace?
I travel more than any normal person should. Because of a global speaking schedule, clients from across the country, and filming projects around the world, I spend way too much time in airports. In fact, last year, as I walked up to the American Airlines ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) the lady behind the ticket counter looked up and said, “Mr. Cooke! Welcome back! It’s so nice to see you again!”
At that moment the thought hit me that if the ticket counter lady at the world’s sixth busiest airport knows my name, then I’m traveling way too much. Honestly, traveling that much used to really bug me. I missed my time at home, my privacy, being with my family, and it really started to get me down.
And that’s when I realized: Travel is my life. I have the incredible opportunity to work with the best clients in the country, speak at amazing global conferences, and film in the most interesting locations around the world. What’s the alternative? Stay at home and do something else?
That’s the moment I embraced my travel schedule. I stopped looking at it as a burden, and started looking at it as an opportunity – and a joy. I started buying things that would make my travel life easier, beginning with a better set of luggage. Then I joined the airline lounge to make my time in airports more productive.
I realized that what I hated about my career, could be something I loved, if I just viewed it differently. Now, travel doesn’t bother me at all.
So the question I’m asking you is – what do you hate about your career that you need to embrace? What’s the big frustration – that if viewed from a different perspective, could turn into an asset, an opportunity, and perhaps even a joy?
Think about it. Because being miserable at your job is no way to live. And just perhaps – if you re-considered that thing that drives you crazy, it could become the best job in the world….
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
