Make Your Promise Today
Shortly after graduating from college, I made a promise to myself:
I will not settle for a career that I am not truly passionate about, I will not allow yearning for weekends and the illustrious two week vacation a year to define my life, I will be in a positive work place situation and I will love what I am doing.
I made a promise for passion and I think you should make that same promise today.
What exactly will this particular situation look like and how am I going to get there? I am not too sure, yet I believe it is far more important that we first start by making this commitment to ourself, taking the leap wherever it leads, and find the courage to persevere in the face of our fears, self-doubt and uncertainty.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” - Ambrose Redmoon
To me this “something” is our happiness, our well being, our choice” our life.
I think we would all agree that it is well worth it, yet many of us still choose to let this innate fear paralyze us and settle into comfortable, secure positions despite being unhappy in them. The encouraging thing is that every day is a new opportunity to change this.
Here is another one of those opportunities. Leave your name in the comments section below to make your promise today!
Sean Aiken.
I promise.
-Michael Melenberg
Glad to hear it Sean! Want to go on a tour together and inspire people to follow their dreams? There’s a lot in common between our trips.. and I can’t say how much I wish others would just GO FOR IT!
Oh yeah, my name is Bugsy, and I’ve been making my promise for the last 7 months.
Hey Sean, What you are doing here is awesome, I agree 100% with what you are saying and doing, I, Dustin VanHouwelingen, make the promise too always have a passion and a love for my job.
I was kind of hesitant to make this promise. But then I saw the topless picture of you on the side of the site.
I’m in.
Matt Fidler
p.s. My ideal career is not a professional hitchhiker. Cross that off the list.
Mathew Chow
Lorraine Enge.
Karla Dow
Sean, I am twice your age, and your words nearly made me cry. Yes, I am sheepwalking, and now trying to figure out what my real “life’s work” is. But I was thinking the other day about how a lot of my favorite memories were made during traveling, even with cranky family members. So whatever I do, I’m going to make time for as much as I can. I hereby take the pledge, Gayle
I promise!… keep going! u r an inspiration!
Steph Barraco.
OneweekjobGuy,
When you took that symbolic “bungee jumping” leap to kick start Oneweekjob,
did ya ever in your wildest dreams envision that on Week 8, you’d be shoveling manure.
So, what’s the symbolism there?
Hope all is well.
You got “The Promise” in motion…
next stop….Oprah…heck, she’s wild about “The Secret” so how ’bout “The Promise.”
Rob
I promise Sean… I promise to myself.
Alison Lammers
Marie-Christine Desy
Je promets
Kristin Follis
I promise!
- Daniel Desjardins
I do solemnly swear that I’ll go for the juice…
Keep up the good work!
Ian MacKenzie
i won’t settle, don’t worry
I am 100% dedicated to not settling in the “comfortable life!” Life is about taking risks to be happy..pushing the limits to experience what’s out there…otherwise, what’s the point?
I just left a cushy corporate job in February to follow my passion. It’s wonderful — blood pressure is down, taking less pills, sleeping through the night.
Erin Malloy
Passion for improving kid’s lives through opportunity and education ~ chrissy benz
Sean I am where I am, and no longer fear the future because of you! Cheers Bro
I promise… way to let it shine Sean!!!
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson
Already fulfilled my promise as a teacher.
Jennifer Paziuk
Good for you Sean. I support what you’re doing 110%!!…and I agree with you completely. It is so important to chase your passion/dream rather than money. Keep up the good work :).
-Maria
Salut Sean!
Si tu montes àQuébec dans les semaines prochaines, sois sûr de m’appeler ou lance-moi un email. Je te trouve de plus en plus inspirant, et j’ADORERAIS te voir essayer de passer une petite semaine chez l’armée…un bon défi!!!
Re-Bienvenue au Québec…contente de voir que tu rentres àla maison
Glad all is well!
Kristina
I PROMISE..
i love what your doing.
Hey Sean, and other inspirees of Sean’s project. I wanted to add my name to the list of people who made a promise to work what they are. My promise is to practice what I preach because as a career counsellor I have to inspire others, in a respectful yet challenging manner, to go for their career and life dreams. Being a pretty practical person, I also make a commitment to supplying others with tactile information on making those dreams come true. If anyone out there would ever like to chat about their careers, I work face-to-face but also a lot online, and I’d happily give out advice for free, as it’s a labour of love. Drop me an email: ireland_alison@hotmail.com
wow, this is such an awesome idea. I am all for finding a job and am passionate about regardless of money, so I respect this a lot. good on you, and good luck!
hey Sean, great idea, very innovative approach of our generation!
Good luck with everything!
Best,
Rita Fisher
Self-Defense Motivational Speaker
I solemnly swear that I am up to no good ;o)
Seriously…I worked a job I hated and was fortunate to find one I loved, and I vowed never to settle for anything that doesn’t make me happy.
Sean, I promise to continue my passion which I have been pursuing for the last 8 years. You are a great inspiration and I love your approach. I don’t have a week job for you but I will get back to you on that.
Keep up the good work!
Alexandre Brabant
Search Marketing Specialist
eMarketing 101
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Sean, you are an inspiration, you have the guts to do what it takes and lead the way to show people to take the risks to find our their calling and passion!
Have you ever tried working in a car dealership?!
You are an inspiration to us all, at any age.
Thank you.
Eugene Francois
Check out the movie “Pay It Forward” and the website
http://www.thevenusproject.com.
I promise! Cheers to the hunt.
As I wrote to you Sean, what you do is inspiring!
I promise to get myself a job I’m truly passionate about - and I HAVE started looking for it!
Think I even know what kind of job it’d have to be.
Thanks for the wake-up call!
Angelika
I promise
I love your site
What a great idea!!! Thanks for the entertainment. If you are ever in Calgary, Ab…let me know!
Harriet
ps. I make the promise and I have a great quote.
“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.”
Congratulation Sean,
I wish my son 52 will be inspire by your determination.
He is a very very smart and bright man but thinks of himelf as a no good and doesn’t do anything with his life.
Keep up the good work
Eugenia
I am 35 today and have been going around in circles since graduating from high school. I salute you Sean and all your endeavours to find your calling.
HELL YA!
Ive been commited to a passionate career, where on a daily basis I am fufilled and challenged, for 7 years now. Im a professional designer, storyboarder, and illustrator and its super fun. Its had its up and downs, as anything in life does, but the journey is incredible when at the end of the day you know youve followed your heart.
I love oneweekjob.com. The idea is super possitive. Its very excited for us viewers to see the possibilities and hear about some of them. And excitement is key. Solid production quality too. Sean, your a natural infront of the camera. Ian, great directing man, very nice pacing.
Best of luck to everyone.
Check my artwork out (hahahah *plug*)
http://www.goblinsun.com
I realy like the idea of oneweekjob… to find our passion is so hard. I’m 20 and i wish to find it one day! Hey just keep on smiling
!!
Great idea Sean. I already know my passion and that is being a teacher. I received my Bachelor’s of Education in 2004. I am living in the Okanagan now and it is not the easiest school system to get into. In the meantime I have to make a living. I love your idea and I am thinking about doing it myself because I love the idea of learning something new every week. However, I can’t afford to give my money to charity and I do not want to be unfair to employers. How would you suggest I go forward. Any advice would be great. Thanks for being an inspiration.
Hi Sean. I have been following you around through your website since we met in Québec last year! And I really admire what you are doing. However it makes me wonder, what percentage of people are doing a job right now that they are passionate about? 10%, less, more? 1%? And what are the chances that I will find something I really love? However, I promise to try and to be unemployed for at least a little longer!
Gwyn MacMillan
About two years ago, I made the same promise as you. Because of that, I’ve now made my dream cross-country move, moved back after learning how important my home really was for me, have left and returned to a job that I really enjoy, and have started a travel writing project on the side that is slowly but surely becoming my full-time gig. Cheers to you! It is here and now that I renew my promise to live a life that is passionate to me.
Nikki Rice
aka theALTERNAtraveler
http://www.thealternatraveler.com
You may be halfway around the globe from where I am
But you made me believe in the same thing
Living with passion and not regret
Having the bravery to pursue your dreams
I will make that promise, to have the courage to take the leap in pursuit of what I have always wanted to do
Chen Jun-Wu
Singapore
I made the same promise to myself 5 months ago. I just moved to Mozambique a few weeks ago to pursue my dream of working in global health. What you are doing is amazing.
Vanessa
I PROMISE!
I think you may be my twin! I live my life by where my passion leads me — and not-for-profits are key to my success. Thank you for reminding everyone that no one should settle for a career — but seek a passion!
Congrats on going for it! It is great to see more & more people thinking outside of the norm. My husband & I have been traveling around too. The world has so much to offer, one just has to go & get it!! Take care & happy trails!
Sean,
What a fantastic idea!
Ironically, after I’ve got my ‘ideal’ job in the hospitality business as a revenue manager, I came to realized that definitely is not for me. I truly miss the days when I literally got the energy and enthusiasm from having a direct interaction with my clients.
Fortunately, the hospitality field can offer me several options in doing exactly that.
I’m now promising myself that I will go for a career more fulfilling and rewarding.
Julio
- Charity Cason
I promise to let the light of my passion guide me every day.
Sean. An inspiration. I’ve always been keen to the outdoors, to exploring everything that I can. Absorbing my surroundings like a sponge. I don’t ever wish to settle or to accept that I don’t have more control over my life.
I always wanted to be a geologist. To travel.. I think I’m going to.. I’m going to start college and do what I really love.
Thanks Sean.
Love it!
I promise me this…
I promise to trust my instinct, follow my bliss, and find and create work that expresses how exquisite life is. Always, passing the good along.
Thank you, Sean, crew, and commenters, for letting me know it’s ok to not always know. To let each day unfold new wisdoms.
Maggie
Sean, you remind me of me!
I’ve been accused of having 200 jobs and that is how I post my bio as a writer now. I have had a lot of jobs, and I am glad that I did so I knew the right one when it came along. Remember to thank your parents for letting you go - so many do not, they have these pre-conceived notions and want their kids to fulfill their own unrealized goals. I refused to do this with my two kids, and I’m thrilled to see your parents feel the same.
Just remember this, the job you ultimately find (which may NOT be in these 52 weeks, BTW) may NOT be “it” - so don’t be afraid to leave. Be more afraid to stay. Jobs we love in our 20’s, may not be the ones we want in our 40’s. It’s okay, it’s just part of this whole crazy show.
Stay safe, best of luck!!
Kathy
I promise to myself that I will soon quit my dead heading job…hopefully before the age of thirty!! LOL
Good luck Sean with the project and enjoy!!
Karine
I am 41 years and yearning to start over in a new career but fear of losing financially security and fear of the unknown has held be back for years. Reading about your experience inspires me to find my true passion and to take the risk of pursuing it. What is life without passion anyway? Thanks for inspiring so many!
I Spencer will make that promise.
It’s good to know someone else my age going through what I am goin through now. I just wish I could also try 52 jobs for the year.
Marisol Puga.
I promise to graduate college this year!
you are truly an inspiration sean. i’m afraid to go out there and go after my dreams. it’s true, i don’t want to fail in my parents’ eyes, and maybe i’ll fail hopelessly in my dream job. but i think it’s scarier to wake up 10, even 5 years from now and realized i never went after what i was passionate about. i’m still young, well, under 30, and i should take advantage of that and take that risk and go after all the things that i desire that i know are out there.
i make that promise today.
Grace
This is a great idea! I’m doing what I love now, but I promise if I ever lose that love I won’t hesitate to change.
Joe
Hey Sean!! I read about your new ambition in life on our LOCAN FRIDAY’S magazine here in Dubai.
I’m totally inspired and am 25 years of age worked as a banker already for 4 years. Am on a break , wondering what to do next in life and here I read about your article…Jus the right time:)
I’m ready to make this promise….Can I take up one week jobs here in Dubai ?
Pls advise how?
i am all for following your passion and pursuing your dream/s but if you come from the third world country like mine, there are a lot of things to be considered.you see, we cannot just pack our bags and travel the way you do. it all boils down to priorities.getting a high paying job that could put a food on the table truly makes a difference to some yuppies here who, more often than not, supports their family.leaving their respective country to earn currencies higher than that of their own so they could get their family out of poverty.you guys are lucky though to have that blessing and i wish that someday, the young generations from my place would have that same kind of blessing.
Rachel Becker
“Live life from your heart and you will be most effective!” - Anonymous
I made my promise as I said above and I quit my dead heading job yesterday and heading to bigger and better things….THANK YOU SEAN!!!
Sean was a Park Ranger for a week (#46) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Have you always dreamed of being a Park Ranger?
Check out http://www.rangercareers.com
Come on. Life’s short. Whatcha waiting for?
I,Briney,promise I will do my best to pursue my dream and find my passion.
I, Christen Cherry, have graduated in December of 2007, traveled for 3 months, now am hitting the real world with the definite feeling of wanting to find something that I love doing.
1. I love helping people (but didn’t do the nursing because I’m not to keen on needles)
2. Love working hard, love having a feeling of accomplishment… who doesn’t?
3. Love having a connection for the people I work with, I can honestly say that I’ve never “hated” a job… and I’ve been a telemarketer before. ; )
4. Can’t wait to put my Bachelors degree to use but would love an opportunity to come my way. I graduated Summa Cum Laude and still can’t find a “career” job. Where are the recruiters?
5. I will do my best to pursue my dream and find my passion.
Thank you.
I just went for it and moved across the country to work for my ‘best bro’. That didn’t work out at all and I had to keep going. I survived nearly starving to death right in the middle of one of the biggest cities in Canada. But that city had more job listings for my skillset then anywhere I’ve ever been.
I would have made it if I had a fighting chance the first time so I promise to increase my educaton, save up, move back and try again!
Sean,
Thank you for your inspiring story. I was in my hometown of Naples, Florida on vacation. I now live in Dallas, the city life is really stressful. I visited my therapist in Naples and she told me I needed to find my true passion in life and that my current environment is not healthy for my body.
While I was waiting to get on my plane back to the city, I meditated on how I could find out my true passion in life. While on the plane the flight attendant announced a new magazine in the seat pocket. I got it out and your story was on the cover of American Airlines magazine. Inside was my answer on how to find my true passion, your story is amazing. I came back and gave my two weeks notice and I’m moving back home where the sounds of the ocean are a much better invironment for me. I’m leaning on fate and ambition. Thanks so much for your inspiration!
Thank you .
NOW I find my way in the future.I am always afraid that my dream can’t come true.
I agree. Life is too short. At 23 I am already stuck in the rut of a cushy job.
I promise too.
i promise. i am fresh graduate from an academy and immediately will work in a government.
but i keep my passion to study and learn about many kinds of creative jobs, because i want to establish my own company…
Sign me up! I promise to live passionately and to do work that I feel passionate about!
Thanks Sean!
Suzanna Lonsdale
myspace.com/suzannalonsdale
i promise from now on… i will pursue my dream, my passion
Vien Nasution
Bogor, Indonesia
Sean, I am striving to find a job i’m passionate about while studying in school. I solemnly promise to find a job that is perfect for me and not take just any job.
super depressing i still haven’t kept my promise i posted on here over a year ago.
I promise!
Layna Edd
I got tears on this one! I’m 30, just starting college, again, and with a partner who doesn’t know what he wants in life. I know what my passion is and I am pursuing it. It’s hard to keep that promise to one’s self when those around you are struggling, but I promise. To myself and to my son. And, to my partner too. I hope that I can inspire him like you’ve inspired me. Thank you!
Candice Westberg
I promise to go for a career I love to do! I’m going to go for passion in every area in my life! I will live each moment with passion!
49 years old, I have been inspired. I am scared to death, but I know I can do it. First step? Today is day 1. A new beginning. Without my inspiration’s support, it means nothing. I’m gonna do it. I promise!