Working for the Job You Want, not the job you have

Someone told me recently they were finally glad to be out of food service because of the hours. It made me think of my own journey, not because I worked long shifts, but because I worked long hours to learn and build a small business. In my early 20s, every hour I put in was an investment in learning how to adapt, solve problems, and grow something from the ground up. In 2009, I left that business behind and stepped into a salaried position. I knew that the more hours I worked upfront, the faster I would learn and the faster I would grow. And I carried that forward. Even today, I get paid the same no matter how long I work, but I don’t work for the paycheck; I work for my future self. I am a product of learning, and I always have been.

The Reality of Leadership: Hours & Sacrifice. Leadership isn’t about working less; it often means committing more. A Harvard study found that CEOs work an average of 62.5 hours per week, including weekends and vacation days, with about 47% of their time spent in meetings (ProAssisting, 2018). They average 9.7 hours each weekday, 3.9 hours on 79% of weekends, and 2.4 hours even on vacation days. Leadership demands consistency, not convenience.

Men vs Women: Unequal Opportunity. While men and women both put in long hours, opportunities to grow into leadership differ. Research shows women are 12% less likely than men to receive leadership-skills training and 15% less likely to be formally assessed for leadership potential (HR Dive, 2024). Formal mentorship is also less common for women: only 24% of women leaders reported having mentors compared to 30% of men, and among senior executives, it was 27% of women vs 38% of men. Despite these barriers, women in leadership consistently lift others by mentoring, sponsoring, and creating opportunities that help future leaders rise.

Leaders vs Managers. The difference is simple but important. Managers tell people what to do. Leaders get in it with you, guiding, modeling, and inspiring by example. Titles don’t make leaders; actions do.

Leaders Lift Others. And this goes beyond just women leaders. True leaders help everyone rise. They recognize that getting to work is a privilege when so many are searching right now. If you see someone post their profile on LinkedIn, help them connect. Share open roles, offer an introduction, and comment with encouragement. You never know when you’ll need help yourself. Leadership is not just about advancing your own path; it’s about opening doors for others along the way.

The Purposeful Grind. Working for the job you want is about resilience, learning faster, and building credibility. For me, it has always meant working hard now so that tomorrow’s opportunities are wider and brighter. Every role, every hour, every challenge compounds. That grind is not wasted; it is preparation.

Nothing Happens Because of Luck. Luck doesn’t sustain a career. Learning, effort, consistency, and courage do. The question is this: are you working only for the job you have, or are you working for the job you want? Work now for the job you want. Lift others as you climb. Help someone searching. And always remember: your future self will thank you.

Sources

ProAssisting. (2018). How CEOs spend their time. Retrieved from https://proassisting.com/resources/articles/ceo-schedule/