Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop with a mentor of mine, someone I deeply admire. I was at a crossroads in my career, feeling lost, overwhelmed, and honestly, a little scared. I had all these questions swirling in my head: Am I on the right path? Should I take that job? What if I fail? I was looking for answers, for a sign, for someone to just tell me what to do.
And then, my mentor said something that changed everything. It wasn’t a grand, earth-shattering revelation. It wasn’t a step-by-step plan or a secret formula for success. It was simple, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. And today, I’m sharing it with you. Think of this as a heart-to-heart, a passing of the torch, a “here’s what I wish someone had told me sooner” moment.
The Advice: “Don’t Chase the Title, Chase the Work.”
That’s it. Six words. But let me tell you, those six words have shaped every decision I’ve made since.
At the time, I was so focused on climbing the ladder, on getting that next promotion, on having a fancy title that would make me feel important. But my mentor saw right through that. She leaned across the table, looked me in the eye, and said, “Titles don’t matter. What matters is the work. Do work that excites you, that challenges you, that makes you feel alive. The rest will follow.”
And you know what? She was right.
Why This Advice Stuck with Me
At first, I didn’t fully get it. I mean, titles are important, right? They’re how people know what you do, how you measure success, how you prove you’re moving up in the world. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I’d been chasing the wrong thing.
Here’s what I learned:
- Titles Are Just Labels: They don’t define you. You could have the fanciest title in the world, but if you’re not doing work that lights you up, what’s the point?
- The Work Is What Matters: It’s the day-to-day stuff, the projects, the problems you solve, the people you help. That’s where the magic happens.
- Passion Fuels Success: When you’re doing work you love, you’re more creative, more motivated, and more likely to succeed. And guess what? The titles and promotions tend to follow.
How I Applied This Advice
Let me give you a real-life example. A few years ago, I was offered two jobs. One had a fancy title, a corner office, and a big salary. The other had a less impressive title, a smaller office, and a modest salary—but the work was exactly what I wanted to be doing. It was challenging, creative, and aligned with my passions.
I was torn. The first job looked better on paper, but the second job felt right in my gut. And then I remembered my mentor’s advice: Don’t chase the title, chase the work.
I took the second job. And you know what? It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I loved the work, I grew so much, and eventually, the titles and opportunities I’d been chasing came to me—because I was doing work that mattered.
Why This Advice Works for Life Too
Here’s the thing: this advice isn’t just about your career. It’s about your life. It’s about choosing what truly matters to you, not what looks good on paper or what other people think you should do.
- In Relationships: Don’t chase the idea of a perfect partner or a picture-perfect relationship. Chase the connection, the love, the joy.
- In Hobbies: Don’t chase the trophies or the accolades. Chase the passion, the fun, the sense of fulfillment.
- In Life: Don’t chase the milestones or the checkboxes. Chase the experiences, the growth, the moments that make you feel alive.
Final Thoughts: Chase What Lights You Up
Here’s the truth: life is too short to spend it chasing things that don’t matter. Titles, trophies, milestones—they’re just symbols. What really matters is the work, the love, the joy, the passion. That’s where the magic is.
So, the next time you’re at a crossroads, ask yourself: Am I chasing the title, or am I chasing the work? And then go for the work. Go for what lights you up, what challenges you, what makes you feel alive.
Because here’s the thing: when you do work you love, the rest tends to fall into place. The titles, the promotions, the success—they’ll come. But even if they don’t, you’ll still be doing something that matters. And that, my friend, is the real win.
Now go out there and chase the work. You’ve got this. 🚀