When we go in for a job interview, we all ask the same type of questions. Do these sound familiar:
- What is the annual salary or hourly rate?
- How much vacation do I get?
- Can I work remote?
- How are the health benefits?
- Is there a 401k?
Across many, many jobs, these are the most common questions people typically ask. They all have one thing in common. Can you guess what it is? All of these questions could be wrapped up into one main question, “What do I get?”
What Do I Get?
This is pretty much what 95% or more of people want to know. And why not? Doesn’t everyone want to know how much money they will make, how many days off they get, and if the benefits are any good. Especially the health benefits. They are so expensive, it is often one of the first questions people want answered.
Most people ask these questions, but there are few people who have asked a very different question. Some pretty famous people, like Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs have made sacrifices and worked internships at very low paying jobs just for the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Do you know what question they asked of their job? Instead of asking “What do I get?”, they asked, “What am I becoming?”
What Am I Becoming?
That’s right. When you work a job, the question you should be asking yourself is what am I becoming. Stephen Spielberg continually snuck onto a studio lot, networking with directors, eventually creating a short film to put in their hands. It wasn’t about the money. It was about what he could learn there and the type of person he would need to become to be successful in the film industry. He could have abandoned his dream and taken on a “dead end job” but he wanted more. But what’s a “dead end job?”
Dead End Jobs
In any job, you need to know what you are becoming. If you are not becoming something, then the job is a dead end job. A dead end job is a job where you are simply working for a salary and not working on yourself. You don’t care about anything but making the money you need so you can get the things you want. You do this until you die and thus it is a dead end job. You may say, “Wait, I have an opportunity for advancement and can make even more money.” More money doesn’t prevent a job from being a dead end. If you are doing a job and don’t know what you are becoming, that is a dead end job. I encourage you to reconsider.
Takeaways
Whenever you take on a job, ask what you are becoming, instead of what you will be getting. If you are currently in a job, ask the same question…”What am I becoming here?” If you don’t have a good answer, it may be time to do some soul searching and figure out what you want to become. You may be thinking, “I am okay with just putting my 40 hours in and getting paid. That is all I want.” Well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am NOT putting that down. But for those of us who want more, you have to ask what you are becoming. You need to be moving towards your goals and growing, not just spinning your tires, hoping things will work out.
I challenge you to ask yourself what you are becoming where you currently work. If you don’t like what you are becoming, seriously search your heart and see what you want out of life. Then move in that direction, finding the job or starting the business that will help you become what you dream you can be. My best wishes to you!!!