What do you really do for a living?

May 21, 2010 in Life with 8 Comments

The next time someone asks you the question, “what do you do for a living?”, really give it some thought, before you answer.

It’s easy to say what you think you should say, or what you’ve been taught to say.

“I’m a teacher.”

“I’m a foreman at the muffler factory.”

“I’m the manager at Pizza Hut.”

“I’m an accountant.”

I’ve talked about it before and decided I would start giving totally off-the-wall answers regarding my career, but then I got thinking about it again.

Think about it the next time you are asked the question, don’t answer so quickly.

I know we’ve all heard things like: “Work to live or live to work“? But what I’m wondering is, when did we actually replace living with the things we do (like work) most of the time,  so we can afford to attempt to actually live some of the time?

I don’t know the answer.

But I’m wondering, if we can change the way we answer it.

What do I actually do for a living?

I write this blog and hope to inspire change within one or more people. The rest of the time, I enjoy spending time with my wife, family, and friends. When time permits, I enjoy fly fishing, reading, cooking, and exercise. My wife and I love to travel. We look forward to various journeys around the globe. That’s just scratching the surface of what I do for a living.

What do you do for a living?

  • John-Grande Inquisitor-Boy

    What I “do/did for a living” has changed several times in 56 years.
    Some were great, some not so.

    The best times were when I fed my insatiable desire to simply learn more and I had lots of variety.
    Routine is like torture for me :(

    For several reasons I lost that curiosity.
    I used to question everything too instead of just biting the hook.
    Your posts and others have helped me resurrect that curious Pokey Little Puppy again.
    I'm pottie training him currently and soon he'll be ready to be let loose on the world again :P

  • Paul

    I'm retired but I am not tired. I think retirees have difficulty answering the question because most find more rewarding activities to fill up their day. Your post asks a good question. I think all would like to live vital lives.

  • http://noahfleming.com/ Noah Fleming

    I love that. Retired but not tired. That is awesome.

  • http://jeannabarrett.com Jeanna Barrett

    I love this! This is the number one question people ask each other when they first meet. “What do you do for a living.” Your idea for a response is SO much more realistic. We all do a whole hec of a lot more with our lives than what happens from 9-5. Thank Noah!
    P.S. I found your blog through @lamiki's #FollowFriday on Twitter. :)

  • http://noahfleming.com/ Noah Fleming

    Hey Jeanna

    Thanks so much for the comment. I'm glad you stopped by! I added your blog to my reader.

    I hate that it's the #1 question. Drives me bonkers.

    I heard Godin say recently, (and I'm paraphrasing, as I can't remember exactly or find the quote…) “When were you fooled into believing making money was the best way to make a living?”

    Bingo.

  • http://lamiki.com/ Laura Kimball

    Last weekend I was on a press tour for bloggers and when the question came up “What do you do beyond this?” I borrowed your profession and answered that I tame wild buffalo for a living.

    To set the context, we were a group of Americans sitting in a restaurant in Montreal. The person who asked me the question was from Texas and I'm from Seattle. He laughed the question off and then said, “Oh, wait, you're serious…” It was the start of a good conversation. Thanks for inspiring this one!

  • http://noahfleming.com/ Noah Fleming

    This is totally fantastic! You are hired. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing this story :-)

    I have a question though, how come Mazda doesn't contact me to drive their cars around :-) I need a break from Buffalo Taming.

  • http://lamiki.com/ Laura Kimball

    Like wild buffalo, wild buffalo tamers have been known to get out of control when in herds. I think that's the reason why Mazda declined to invite multiple tamers to the same event.