Today was my last day as a personal trainer and, despite my ravings 9 months ago about how it was my dream job and so incredibly awesome, I'm not all that sad to be done. I'm not even sad a bit actually. I'll miss a lot of the people but I really won't miss the job. After I was finished with my last client I think my entire body just gave a sigh of relief as if to say, "I could not possibly do this for another day. Thank you so much for stopping. Finally." I am really glad it's over.
Everyone always says that your perfect job would be one where you're doing something that you loved doing even before you got the job. But, really, now that I've been through it, I think those people are liars. Or, at least, idiots. And not idiots on purpose. Just idiots in a naive sort of way.
Have you ever heard of someone who loves to cook and then becomes a chef and then hates cooking at home? That's pretty much exactly what it was like for me. Except replace "cooking" with "working out" and "chef" with "personal trainer". I probably didn't really have to walk you through that.
Before I started training, I loved working out and playing sports and learning about nutrition and how the body works and stuff but, after a while of doing it for a living, I started really resenting it. I didn't like reading articles on fitness or trying out new programs because it felt too much like work. I didn't like doing it anymore because now I HAD to do it as opposed to just wanting to because I enjoyed it.
Before, when I was looking for a job, I would always ask myself what I really loved to do. Like, for example, I love reading so I always thought that if only I could get a job reading books and doing reviews or something, that would be my DREAM JOB. But now I think, if I had to read to make a living, I would just start really hating reading and then what would I do when I had free time? Probably a lot drugs. So, as you can see, this new way of thinking about things is a lot less dangerous and destructive
So, now I think my perfect job would be one that I don't necessarily love because it's something I love doing on my own, but it will be one that I like because it's interesting or challenging or I really like the people or hopefully all of these options. Or maybe it's just something that I just don't absolutely hate. And sort of holds my interest. Maybe. So, then I can just go to work, be interested in what I'm doing and probably like it hopefully, and then go home and do all the things I really enjoy doing. This is my new theory about jobs. I'll let you know how it goes.
And, of course, this is not to say that I regret training for the past 9 months. I'm really glad I did it. I learned a lot of stuff and I can train a bit on the side if i want or just apply what I learned to my own workouts. I also met a lot of really terrific people and made some good friends. And judging from the nice cards and gifts and things I got, I think I really helped some people. I know I really helped some people. So it was all definately worth it.
.
Not Quite Awake
3 comments:
My dad always said that he got into agriculture because he loved history TOO much and didn't want to end up hating it by making it his career. So he works with cattle genetics and reads history books on the side.
I think I lucked out, though. Being a librarian is the shit.
That actually makes a lot of sense. I've also heard the Love your job thing.
Hmmmm, good things to ponder.
I feel the same way as you do about reading. When I was in college I majored in Journalism because I wanted to write and get paid for it. I've worked in advertising and marketing since then because I realized I love writing, but not the type I'd have to do as a reporter. Now, I get to write and be involved in web editing, coding and social media. How many people can put "play on Facebook" on their to-do list? But years ago before I started working, did I say, "gee, I want to be a web person for a living"? NO. But I can say right now that I truly love it. It's the dream job I never knew I about. I think the trick is to do what you love, but make sure there are enough other elements to your job that you don't get burnt out. My two cents, at least.
Post a Comment