I was scrolling through posts on my LinkedIn profile this morning and there was a quote from Virgin founder Richard Branson.

I have had several people mention a similar concept in the past couple weeks. They are struggling to find contentment in their jobs or work, and have mentioned that they spend so much time working, they wish they had a job that they could love.

I think we are looking at this the wrong way. Yes, we should love our jobs, and strive to obtain jobs that not only match our skills, but feed our passions. But why are we putting so much pressure on “the job”?

Maybe the message here is not to find a job that makes you happy, or wait in angst until the perfect opportunity presents itself.

The message is love what you do. To me, that means give your 100%, complete every task with passion, feel gratification and pride doing whatever it is you do. The what  you do doesn’t matter. It’s all about the how and the why you do it.

I had a recent moment of clarity after accepting my third job in eighteen months. It’s  been a struggle since losing my son to find a place where I fit, knowing that nothing will ever compare to being his mom. But I now realize that I don’t have to be employed, hold a certain title, or get a paycheck, to live out my life’s passion.

I can give my time, express my love and passion, encourage others, and strengthen relationships, no matter what job I’m given, who hires me, or how I earn a salary. I am finding my greater purpose, and it has nothing to do with how I pay my bills.

We are more than the jobs we hold. We each have a greater purpose, and if you can fulfill that purpose and get paid to do it, that’s amazing. I salute you.

But if you are like me and many, many others, it may be time to realize that you can do what you love, and love what you do, even if you haven’t landed your dream job. Do whatever it is you do with pride and passion. The rest will fall into place.