This resonates with me quite a lot. I have been focused on trying to find out what I’m really good at and enjoy doing (like writing for Scott, or playing the piano for his brother) these past few years. I’m motivated both by getting into a position where I can do some good (either actively or passively, e.g. by earning to give) and which I enjoy so much that it doesn’t feel like “work”. So far, I still don’t feel like I’ve really managed to find out, despite quite a bit of reading, discussions with friends, reflection, and switching jobs twice.
Then again, after reading up a bit on stoicism (very superficially, I have to admit), I get the impression that it might be at least as much about your inner attitude as much as it is about external circumstances. If one is able to truly “love their fate”, there is a fairly good chance they will excel in a lot of different jobs/tasks/positions, I suppose. For me, that poses the question “How much energy should you dedicate to finding your “calling” versus how much energy you should invest in developing a mindset that makes you accept the current conditions, and work towards becoming excellent at what you do now?”
This resonates with me quite a lot. I have been focused on trying to find out what I’m really good at and enjoy doing (like writing for Scott, or playing the piano for his brother) these past few years. I’m motivated both by getting into a position where I can do some good (either actively or passively, e.g. by earning to give) and which I enjoy so much that it doesn’t feel like “work”. So far, I still don’t feel like I’ve really managed to find out, despite quite a bit of reading, discussions with friends, reflection, and switching jobs twice.
Then again, after reading up a bit on stoicism (very superficially, I have to admit), I get the impression that it might be at least as much about your inner attitude as much as it is about external circumstances. If one is able to truly “love their fate”, there is a fairly good chance they will excel in a lot of different jobs/tasks/positions, I suppose. For me, that poses the question “How much energy should you dedicate to finding your “calling” versus how much energy you should invest in developing a mindset that makes you accept the current conditions, and work towards becoming excellent at what you do now?”