Great post. It’s all about doing what your love. You’ll end up putting in the extra effort because it doesn’t feel like work. It’s like Aristotle said, “All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.”

Thanks so much for this post. I’ve been thinking of starting a side business myself for a while and I need all the encouragement I can get right now. :^)

This is so sweet. And true.

This is very inspiring! Its so true that you cant count hours. Its nearly impossible sometimes to say whats work and what isn’t. Great post

The headline caught me…and the article is just so perfectly me! thanx for putting it into words!…its so true…when you love what you do, it’s never ‘work’! great job!

I’m just working out my plan to get my ‘side project’ up and running – as you say, its hard when you’re stuck in a full time job, but maybe soon i’ll be able to make a switch and do something I love :)

Great post Jeff. Thanks for sharing these thoughts and continuing to inspire those around you!. I think it’s all about finding “meaningful” work… most people just seek out the work part and then realize the meaningful is missing later. You are truly blessed to have found that.

One of my favorite quotes:

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

Very touching and true what you’ve said here.

For those of us not doing what we love, we need to be “fed” everyday with truth like this to stay motivated and inspired to do it.

I’ve met a few who say, they do not know their passion, do not know what they’d love to do. My hope for them is that they learn what it is sooner than later, though it’s never too late as long as they have life.

*Best wishes.*

Thank you for your wise words. You are totally right. As Seth Godin says in his book “Purple Cow”, to stand out of the croud you need to do something remarkable. have a great product and people will come to you, do something average and you will have a hard time, your product will be just one more among millions of others.

You have great products and with passion and hard work, as you put in, rewards will come your way. You have a purple cow, now you have to milk it!!

Sorry for my English, I´m from Spain.

Jeff,
By the way, the “Do what you love, love what you do” tag line would make a great t-shirt!!!

I recently finished reading this book by Chris Guillebeau entitled The Art of Non-Comformity. It’s an incredible read which I highly recommend because it talks about unconventional strategies for being successful in work and life and there’s a quote that has stood with me which says “If you want to make a lot of people hate you, all you need to do is make a lot of money doing something you love.”

Sounds a bit harsh but what I interpret from that is that there’s an enormous amount of people which form a big part of the workforce and that perform jobs they absolutely despise and on the other side of the spectrum, there’s a much smaller group that have managed to make a living out of something they’re passionate about.

I believe the new way of thinking is all about involving yourself with projects that will create a lasting value, something that you strongly believe in and not feel that you have to settle with carrying out someone else’s vision by working at a place that means nothing to you.

Dabbling with side projects is absolutely the key to finding what you may truly be passionate about or better yet a much easier route would be just asking yourself what’s one thing that you truly love and would more than willingly do for free.

My response to that would be photographing so that immediately places me on the right path to determine what steps I need to take to make a living out of something I’m passionate about.

Jeff, that “Do what you…” text [from the photo] would look awesome on a t-shirt! Just think about it… :)

Thanks for the comments. Lots of great points.

@Peter: Exactly, Seth is one of the few “marketers” who gets it. His writing inspires me constantly.

@Jorge: Well said. Adding that book to my list. Now I just need to get around to actually reading it :)

I guess I am more of a pessimist. I can’t help but think of people born into less fortunate circumstances who never have an honest chance of doing what they love. I mean, how many great pop artists are coming out of Somalia or the Gaza Strip these days? I know it’s a drastic example but really.

Even for the average, middle class American – yeah it’s great to have side projects and hobbies, but for an overwhelming majority of people their passion will never be more than that. The more I really think deeply about it, the more I think we are all just sort of prone to chance. Some people are born into wealthy families, some people win the lottery. Another drastic example of paths we are all set on. You even said yourself you never planned for Ugmonk to be your full-time job.

Just a different perspective! I’m glad everyone found your post inspirational and yes it would/will? make an awesome shirt!

Kelly

I just wanted to express how much I admire your work. The passion definitely shows. I want to study design next semester and your brand and style have definitely been a big inspiration for me. Thanks!

- Nico

@Kelly: Appreciate your perspective. While not everyone has the opportunity to make a career out of what they enjoy, I just want to encourage people to pursue something that they are passionate about. It may only remain as a side project, but you never know where it might lead. I agree that some hobbies do have monetary barriers, but many can be started with little to no money. Unfortunately, laziness is one of the biggest excuses.

Dude, you hit it on the head! I’ve also been able to merge my passion of creative thinking, design, and social entrepreneurship. And I can’t get enough of it. It’s what I think about all day. I love making ideas happen, whether it’s a design project for a client or a side project that interests me. It’s so fulfilling. I wish more people could experience this too.

Being a college student and young enthusiast, I’m always eager to scratch every itch and live life to the brim. I’m finding that other people are liberated by my passion for life and doing what I love.

Thanks again for letting us into your world. You’re indeed a huge inspiration to me personally.

Jeff,
This is such an accurate post of how we should all have the honor of living our lives!! I totally hear you out on not being able to go to sleep at nights because of ideas running through your head…..there’s been times I wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning after working 10-12 hours a day and want to work more lol.

It almost feels guilty to like your “job” so much – but I feel this is the way things are meant to be. None of us are meant to dread a minimum of 40 hours a week. I stand with you on people needing to find what they love and go for it! It’s been within the top 5 best steps i’ve ever taken in my life….seems like it’s went really well for you to. I’m happy for you, Jeff!!

Dope

I love and absorb anything that has to do with doing what you love in life. Although I am starting my own business I do catch myself at times focussing to much on the bottom dollar rather that the reason why I started it. I love what I do. Example I still work part time doing something I don’t really enjoy and the clock at that job moves soo slow. However at my dream job its smoking fast.
Great Site

Aaaaah…so inspirational…this is truly what it’s all about.
I’ve discovered my passion and it too is in design. I love it, it drives me. I go to bed thinking design and often a design comes during slumber…it’s simply a devine experience. I write it down immediately.

I’m in the process of developing my brand of unique and quirky tees. The process is tuff but I’m determined.

In the meantime…designing is what really brings me JOY, the rest will come step-by-step.

I agree with you!  Soooo true!

When I found out about the new t-shirt release through your e-newsletter today, I immediately went to Ugmonk online shop and grabbed the “Do What You Love” without reading more.  lol  I had a feeling that those t-shirts will be gone soon and didn’t want to end up regretting for not getting one!

Now, I made the purchase and I finished reading the e-newsletter…which led me to read this blog post of yours.

This post is very inspirational and encouraging!  I’m not self-employed (at least not yet) but I am actually in the middle of leaving my comfort zone to do what I truly love for living! I’ve been always working in the design field after college but what I’ve been doing for living wasn’t really 100% what I’m passionate about.

I don’t like taking risks…don’t like leaving my comfort zone, so it took me a little over 4 years to finally make the decision to do something about it.

I’ve also been wanting to open up my own online shop and sell stuff I design for fun…but I kept thinking, “but who will buy my stuff when there are so many other well-known great designs out there?”  I now recently signed up for a half marathon and need to raise at least $1,000 or I will have to sign out.  I plan to take this as an opportunity to finally open up my online shop (to fund-raise) and see how things go.

Thanks again for sharing such wonderful story…and for creating the “Do What You Love” t-shirt design.  I LOVE you, Ugmonk!

Hey man, inspiring post and equally inspiring shirt!  Keep up the good work!  

Jessica that is awesome. Being pushed out of your comfort zone can be scary but it’s the only time you can ever grow as a person. The past 2 months have been super busy for me as I’ve been putting together a brand of my own. Doing things you haven’t done before can be very intimidating. You have to trust yourself and believe in the end you will succeed. Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from your dreams. Best of luck to you and your new business.