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Life is about making an impact, not making an income. –Kevin Kruse

From the time I acquired my first paper route, I’ve been told I needed to get a job. I needed to make money.

As I began to get older the speech didn’t change.

You need to get a job; you need to get a job.

Now that I am on the other side of the parent-child relationship, I’ve changed the speech. I don’t promote getting a job. I promote seeking a career.

Getting a job will only result in an income.

Gaining a career brings about impactful value. I believe promoting the goal of acquiring a career will have lineage impact. It will cause our children to develop great work and study habits.

There would be more stability in the workforce. If all I need to do is get a job. I will more than likely bounce from job to job. Never taking a serious look at what we enjoy doing and going after that dream.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Just as a goal without a plan is just a wish, working a job without working on a career is a waste of potential.

I do understand that there are those of us who don’t do good in math, some of us get squeamish at the sight of blood, some of us are not interested in playing in the dirt of archeology. However, we all have the potential to create a career.

My position can best be defended by looking at the difference in the definition between the two. A job is a paid position of regular employment.

A career is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress.

Impact is having a strong effect or influence on someone.

Income is money received, especially on a regular basis, for work.

The making of income is regulated to having a job. Making an impact is about seeking a career. What do we want? What are we promoting?

Income, job. Impact, career. Our life will determine which.

 

Rev. Demetrius Moffett is Senior Pastor of Orange Church of God-Embassy of Grace, 1911 North 16th Street in Orange.