Job vs. Career

My former day-boss used to hand out weekly goals with an inspirational message scribbled at the bottom of the page. Only one left a lasting impression on me.


If you only work 40 hours a week, you have a job not a career.

In less than a microsecond, I knew my daily occupation was a “job”, not a career.

I like my day job. It’s interesting, challenging, and a continual learning experience. But, I don’t want to slave at my desk for extra hours or come in on weekends. I give my all during the 40 hours I’m there. But when the LED display on the clock flashes that time to go home, I do. Because at home is where I work on my career.

Dictionary.com defines career as ” a person’s progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking.” For me, that’s writing. That I’m not published and not paid to write doesn’t deter me from doing it any way.

I’m committed. Every spare moment is dedicated to writing or learning the craft of writing. If I had more time, I’d spend it writing. As surely as I live and breathe, I write. It is my general course of action through life. I hope to make progress along the way because I do have the goal of becoming a successful published author. But, I think a career is about the journey, not the just the final destination.

So, do you have a job or a career? Or both?

~kristal lee