Parnassa (Livelihood) vs. Passion: A Follow-Up to "Choosing the Right Profession - the Bitachon Way"

In response to last week’s discussion about "Choosing the Right Profession - the Bitachon Way" , someone asked me an interesting question:

Must a person always derive his livelihood from his passion? I know someone who works in what he loves most: Jewish outreach. But he doesn’t make ends meet! Wouldn’t he be better off going into any standard type profession and pursuing his passion in his spare time?

Each person is unique, so there is no one answer that will fit all. Here are my thoughts on the topic; I hope they will help you navigate your own situation.

1. If not something you love, at least something you like (a lot)

   While it is wonderful to support yourself through your passion, I am not advocating that this must be the case for everyone.

   However, most people do have certain subject matters that they find more interesting than others. A person should choose a profession that interests him and is suited to his abilities.

   For example, my father is an expert in the anti-fraud/anti-money-laundering field. That doesn’t mean that he spends all his free time figuring out new ways to stop fraud, but he definitely enjoys his work! When he talks about what he does, he is clearly animated. As he tells me about a conference where he spoke, I can see that this excites him. His work suits him well, even if it is not his number one passion in life.

2. Something you’re good at

   Sometimes insufficient livelihood is due to a Heavenly decree; God has decided that this person will not have much money.

   But consider a situation where a person has chosen to do something he is just not good at! (This is a tricky one, because often the person thinks he is great at what he does while the reality is otherwise.) In this case, he can hardly blame God! Part of Bitachon is the requirement for a person to try his best. Expecting to make money by doing something you’re not good at is not trying your best!

   “A person should choose a profession that takes into account his unique physical and intellectual makeup, as well as his natural talents and abilities.”  
   (From The Bitachon Blog: Choosing the Right Profession - the Bitachon Way)

3. It’s the choice, not the profession

   

   In every field, some people are successful and others are not. There are blue collar workers who manage well and there are white collar workers who cannot make ends meet.

   If things are not working out, it may be that the person is not well suited to the profession that he chose. Another person might do just fine in the same profession, but it was a poor choice for this particular person.

4. Personality or Passion?

   Perhaps the reason a person is not able to make a living doing his passion has to do more with his personality and habits than his career choice. In other words, maybe what is holding him back from success at this job will hold him back from success at a job in any other area as well.

   Does he show up late to every meeting?  
   Is he hard to get along with?  
   Does he have strange quirks that annoy his superiors and co-workers?
   Is he too aggressive?  
   Does he leave at 5:00 PM when everyone else is working late?        
   Is he afraid to talk to the people he works with?    
   Does he spend all his time talking instead of working?  
   Is he a poor communicator?

   Even if he changes his profession, his character and acquired habits will follow him. It may be that something needs to change, but the something may or may not be his job!

5. Temporary setbacks vs Never had success to begin with

   The following flow diagram is based on the Chovos Halevavos (Duties of the Heart):

   

   Here's a text version of the flow chart, in case you can't see it:

   Choosing a Profession
   You naturally desire a particular type of work
   

   • You are physically suited for this type of work
   • You are able to withstand the rigors of this type of work
   Then . . .
   Go for it!
   • Make that professions the means for acquiring your livelihood
   • Accept both the sweet and the bitter that come along with your chosen profession
   • Don't be disgusted when you don't have work occasionally; rather trust in Hashem that He will provide your sustenance all your life

   (Gate of Trust, chapter 3, third paragraph from the end, starting from the second sentence)

   Notice the word “occasionally”.  Perhaps when the problem is constant, and not “occasional”, it is time for a person to reassess the situation!

6. Not intended for wealth

   

   Sometimes, a person has faithfully tried his best to choose a suitable profession, but still does not achieve financial stability. In this case, it may be that God is purposely withholding livelihood from him. (This may happen for a variety of reasons. Perhaps we will tackle that in a future post!)

   Hashem created a world in which some people are rich and others are poor. If despite genuine efforts a person still finds he is unable to support himself, he should accept that this is Hashem's will for him. He should continue to contribute his effort, but realize that the outcome will be whatever Hashem has decreed for him.

What are your thoughts about this? Do you think he should stick with it or find another career? What other factors may come into play?