Hobby, Job, Career, or Vocation? Why It Matters More Than You Think
Finding clarity in your professional life is your first growth move
CONTEXT
We often say we want a more fulfilling job, better growth, or clearer direction — but we rarely pause to define what that even means. In 1:1s or performance reviews, we default to vague goals like "get promoted" or "improve leadership." No wonder Individual Development Plans (IDPs) feel like a chore instead of a tool.
One reason for the disconnect? Most of us confuse the meanings of hobby, job, career, and vocation. We mix them up, use them interchangeably, or assume we must find all four in one role, which is a recipe for frustration.
We might feel guilty for not loving our job like it’s a calling. Or we turn a hobby into a side hustle and suddenly lose the joy that made it meaningful.
To make better choices, we need better language.
METHOD
I really like the definition Elizabeth Gilbert offers in her book Big Magic:
A hobby is something you do for fun, purely for pleasure. There are zero stakes and no need to make money from it.
A job pays the bills. Regardless if you like it or not, you do it, and get paid for it in exchange. A job does not have to be your whole life.
A career is a job that you are passionate about and that you love. You are willing to make sacrifices and put in the extra work because you believe in the mission of your career. You do not need to have a career, but if you have one, you should love it.
A vocation is a calling — work that feels deeply meaningful, even sacred. It's the highest pursuit you can do. Nobody can take it away from you.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
When you know whether you’re optimizing for income, impact, growth, or joy, you can start making trade-offs with intention.
If you’ve felt stuck in your path, start with this:
👉 Am I looking to honor a hobby, improve my job, grow my career, or pursue a calling? What are you working for right now?
When you know the difference, you can plan with clarity instead of pressure. Let us know how this framework lands with you.
Next week we’ll walk you through the 7 building blocks of a powerful IDP — and how to design one that fits your goals.
RESOURCES SHOUT OUT
Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert