Elizabeth Gilbert on Distinguishing Between Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, & Vocation | Acumen Academy

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the speaker explores the difference between four key terms—hobby, job, career, and vocation—and emphasizes their importance in leading a balanced, fulfilling life. They explain that a hobby is for pure enjoyment with no expectations, a job is necessary for financial stability, a career involves passion and sacrifice, and a vocation is a divine calling that drives one’s purpose. The speaker encourages viewers to recognize their personal relationship with these concepts and to pursue their artistic passions while maintaining practical responsibilities, advocating for a life of self-accountability and creative balance.

Takeaways

• 😀 A hobby is something done purely for pleasure, with no expectations for fame or financial gain. It provides a way to break free from the daily grind and adds joy to life.
• 😀 A job is necessary to pay the bills in a material world, even if it's not something you love. It's the practical side of life that ensures your survival and independence.
• 😀 Having a job does not mean sacrificing your passion. It’s possible to pursue your creative interests on the side while keeping a steady job.
• 😀 A career is a job you are passionate about, where you make sacrifices and put in extra effort. It’s something you actively choose and invest in for the long-term.
• 😀 If you're in a career you hate, it's okay to leave it and just get a job to pay the bills while you pursue what you love. A career is not essential for everyone.
• 😀 A vocation is a divine calling, the highest form of work. It’s a purpose-driven pursuit that aligns with your talents and feels like an invitation from the universe.
• 😀 No one can take away your vocation. It is a personal, sacred calling that stays with you no matter the external circumstances or changes in your career or job.
• 😀 Writing was the speaker’s vocation for years before it became a job, and even later a career. A vocation often starts as a private pursuit, independent of external validation.
• 😀 The difference between a career and a vocation is that a career can end, but a vocation is timeless. A vocation is fueled by passion and is intrinsic to who you are.
• 😀 If your career ends, you can always return to your vocation. For example, if writing as a career stops, you can still write in your free time and keep the fire of your vocation alive.
• 😀 You can still be creative and pursue art, even if you have a job or career. Don’t confuse the necessity of a job with the idea that you can’t pursue your passions in parallel.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker is trying to make about the difference between a hobby, a job, a career, and a vocation?

The speaker emphasizes that these four terms represent different aspects of life and work. A hobby is something done purely for pleasure with no expectations. A job is a necessity for financial stability. A career is a path you're passionate about and committed to. A vocation is a divine calling or deep purpose that transcends material work.

How does the speaker describe a hobby?

A hobby is something done purely for enjoyment, with no pressure to make money or gain recognition. It provides pleasure and a sense of personal fulfillment outside of the grind of daily life.

What role does a job play in the speaker’s life philosophy?

The speaker views a job as a necessary part of life to pay the bills and meet material needs. While a job doesn’t have to be fulfilling or joyful, it provides stability and enables the pursuit of other passions.

What distinction does the speaker make between a job and a career?

A job is any work that pays, but it doesn't need to be something you love. A career, on the other hand, is a job you are passionate about, one that requires sacrifices, extra effort, and is aligned with your personal values and mission.

What does the speaker believe about pursuing a career you hate?

The speaker strongly advises against staying in a career you hate. If your career doesn’t bring fulfillment or passion, they suggest quitting it and opting for a job that meets your financial needs instead.

How does the speaker define a vocation?

A vocation is a calling—something that feels divinely inspired. It’s a purpose that you are deeply committed to, regardless of external rewards or recognition. It’s a personal mission that nobody can take away from you.

What is the relationship between vocation and career, according to the speaker?

The speaker views vocation as something sacred and eternal, while a career is more transient and dependent on external factors like the market or industry trends. Even if a career ends, a vocation remains a personal and spiritual commitment.

How does the speaker relate to their own vocation as a writer?

The speaker describes writing as their vocation, a sacred and personal calling. Even when writing was not recognized or financially rewarding, it was their purpose. Over time, writing became their job and then their career, but it always remained their vocation.

What is the speaker’s view on making art a career?

The speaker argues that making art a career is extremely challenging, but it's important to understand the difference between pursuing art as a vocation or hobby versus trying to make it a career. They caution against tying creative expression solely to financial success or recognition.

Why does the speaker recommend having a job while pursuing a vocation or hobby?

The speaker recommends having a job to support your financial needs while pursuing a vocation or hobby on the side. They highlight that jobs do not have to be fulfilling but serve as a means to sustain you as you focus on your passions and creative pursuits.