Lessons in Purpose: Why Doing What You Love Matters More Than the Paycheck



Introduction: The Life-Changing Advice I Almost Ignored

A few years ago, my brother, Brother Ebenezer, dropped a piece of wisdom that went right over my head at the time. He said:
"Never do things because people will pay you. Do them because even without payment, you enjoy doing them."

At that moment, I nodded like I understood (you know, that fake “yeah, yeah” face we all do 😅), but honestly, I didn’t get it. I was laser-focused on one thing: getting paid. Fast forward to today, and I finally understand his words' power.

1. The Money Chase That Went Wrong 💸
My mindset was simple back then: If it doesn’t pay, I don’t stay. I was like a walking price tag, ready to stamp a number on any skill I had. But here’s the thing—clients can sense when all you care about is their money.

I remember losing some great clients because I was too focused on what they could give me instead of what I could offer them. I’d send a proposal, hoping they’d bite, and when they didn’t, I’d feel frustrated. Looking back now, I cringe at how obvious my intentions must have been.

2. When Ebenezer's Words Came Back to Haunt Me 🧠

Recently, as I was reflecting on why things weren’t clicking, I remembered my brother’s advice. It hit me differently this time. It wasn’t just a throwaway line; it was a life lesson:

Stop chasing money. Start chasing purpose.

I realized I was doing things backward. Instead of finding joy in the work itself, I was obsessed with the payment at the end. No wonder clients weren’t sticking around—they didn’t feel the passion or authenticity.

3. The Turning Point: Shifting My Focus 🎯
Once I accepted the truth, I made a decision:

Focus on providing value.
Do what makes me happy, no strings attached.
Let the money follow naturally (if it wants to 😎).
Now, instead of approaching work with a “What’s in it for me?” attitude, I approach it with a “How can I help you?” mindset. It’s amazing how quickly things started to change. People responded better, relationships improved, and—surprise!—more opportunities started coming my way.

4. What Ebenezer's Wisdom Taught Me 🧠
Here’s what I’ve learned from my brother’s sage advice:

People value authenticity: If you care about your craft and your clients, they’ll notice. No one wants to feel like a walking wallet.
Passion creates opportunities: Doing what you love, with heart, opens doors. Passion is contagious, and people want to be around it.
Satisfaction comes from giving: There’s a special kind of happiness in doing something well, even if you’re not rewarded immediately. Funny enough, the rewards often come later!

5. Adding Some Fun to the Lesson 🎉

I’ve also learned that shifting your mindset doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s make this fun:

Imagine you’re a chef. Instead of cooking for tips, cook because you LOVE creating flavors that make people happy. (Bonus: the tips might just triple!)
Think of work as a game: How many people can you wow today? The prize isn’t money—it’s their genuine appreciation.
And hey, who doesn’t love surprising people with extra effort? Excellence isn’t about doing the bare minimum; it’s about showing you care.

6. The Big Takeaway 💡

If you’ve ever been in my shoes—focused more on money than meaning—it’s time to pause and rethink. Ask yourself:

Would I still enjoy this work if I wasn’t getting paid?
Am I truly 3giving my best, or am I holding back until I see the money?

Conclusion over to You! 🚀

Alade Ebenezer’s words have completely reshaped how I approach life and work. Now, I focus on passion, purpose, and value, and it’s amazing how much more fulfilling everything feels.

So here’s my challenge for you: What’s one thing you’d do just for the love of it? Start there. Trust me, the money will follow when you lead with passion.

If this lesson resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a little mindset shift. Let’s make the world a better place—one passionate, purpose-driven action at a time! 💪✨