The myth of loving your job

Do you ever feel like you are supposed to love your job, but deep down you don’t?

Maybe you feel confused because everyone around you seems passionate about what they do, while you are just going through the motions. Maybe you feel pressure to figure out the one career that will light you up forever, and you worry that if you have not found it yet, something must be wrong. Or perhaps you are lost between wanting stability and wanting something that feels more meaningful.

We have all heard the saying: “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

It sounds inspiring, but in reality, it is one of the most unhelpful myths about careers. It suggests that unless you absolutely love your job every single day, something is wrong. For many people, especially those just starting out in their career, this belief creates enormous pressure.

The truth? Even in careers people enjoy, work is never all joy and fulfilment. There will always be parts you like less, tasks that feel mundane, and challenges that test you. That does not mean you are in the wrong job. It simply means you are in a real one.

The problem with the “love your job” myth

This idea sounds great, but it sets people up for disappointment when reality does not match the dream. It makes you think you are failing if you cannot name your “dream job” and leaves many early-career professionals comparing themselves to others before they have had the chance to explore.

It also feeds into the belief that the right job should always feel easy. In truth, most jobs require effort, persistence, and challenge. Expecting constant ease leaves people unprepared for the normal ups and downs of working life.

What the evidence shows

Surveys in Australia show that most people are satisfied with their jobs, but not in love with them all the time. On average, workers rate their job satisfaction around 7 or 8 out of 10. That is positive, but not perfect. It reflects what most of us experience a mix of good days, frustrations, and everything in between.

What keeps people satisfied is not constant excitement, but things like alignment with values, fair treatment, supportive colleagues, and a sense of purpose. Many of the most meaningful jobs like teaching, nursing, community work, are also among the most demanding. Fulfilment and challenge often come as a package deal.

What realistic job satisfaction looks like

Most jobs are a mix of:

• Parts you enjoy: moments of achievement, tasks that energise you, or colleagues you connect with.

• Parts you tolerate: routine admin, meetings that drag, or repetitive work.

• Parts you dislike: stress, conflict, or tasks that drain your energy.

Even in rewarding careers, there will be tasks or responsibilities that you don't enjoy, late nights, heavy workloads, people that frustrate you, or projects that stretch you. That does not mean you are in the wrong job. It means you are experiencing what it is like to work in a real job.

It’s also important to remember that the more basic or routine tasks often come first for a reason. They are not meaningless, they are the foundation. By learning, practising, and mastering the fundamentals, you build the skills and confidence needed for bigger opportunities later. More complex or exciting projects, sometimes called stretch tasks, only come once you have shown you can handle the essentials. Skill development and expertise do not happen overnight, they come from consistent effort, practice, and time.

A healthier way to think about work

Instead of chasing a perfect “dream job,” ask yourself:

• Does this role give me space to grow?

• Do my values align with the work and the organisation?

• Do I feel respected and supported?

• Does the job give me enough balance to enjoy life outside of work?

For those early in their careers, it helps to remember that not every job will be exciting or easy. Sometimes the value of a role is in the skills you build or the stability it provides, not how much you love it every day. Jobs can be stepping stones, experiments, or even “good enough for now” without needing to be your forever passion.

Money, sacrifices, and compromise

At the end of the day, most of us work because we need money to live. That is the practical reality. Work will not always make us happy, and some sacrifices are part of the deal.

Instead of expecting perfection, it helps to think about your negotiables and non-negotiables. For example, you might decide that respectful treatment and fair pay are non-negotiable, while you are willing to accept occasional overtime or tasks you do not enjoy. Or you might value flexibility more than a high salary and choose a role that offers balance over pay. Being clear about these helps you avoid disappointment while protecting what matters the most to you.

For some younger workers, there can be an expectation that a job should be both easy and well-paid. This belief often comes from the myths society promotes about work, but don’t get caught up in that sense of entitlement. The reality is that most careers involve effort, growth, and persistence before they feel satisfying. Embracing that challenge is part of building resilience and long-term fulfilment.

Let me reassure you

If you do not love your job, it is easy to feel confused or pressured to figure out what you “should” be doing. You might compare yourself to others who seem passionate about their work and wonder if you are missing something. You may feel lost, waiting for that one job that makes everything click.

But feeling this way does not mean you are failing. It means you are living in a world that often sets unrealistic expectations about work. Jobs can be good, meaningful, or fulfilling without being perfect.

Work is only one part of life. Fulfilment also comes from relationships, hobbies, creativity, community, and personal growth. When you see your career as one piece of a bigger picture, the pressure to find “the one job you’ll love forever” starts to ease.

So, if you are unsure about your job right now, give yourself permission to take the pressure off. Focus on what your role is giving you in this season, whether that is financial security, learning, or stability. Ask yourself what small steps you can take to build more of what you want, rather than expecting instant clarity. And remind yourself that it is normal to grow, change, and shift direction over time. You do not need to love every moment of your job to be building a meaningful and worthwhile career.