Missionary or Mercenary?

Choosing Your Path in Life and Work

Hey you!

Before I dive into this topic, there is one conversation I believe you should listen to. It’s my last Podcast episode with Eugene Nwoke. We discussed his journey, following your passion, the challenges of balancing pragmatism and long-term goals, and the importance of a strong team in achieving success. Click here to listen or search for “The Grinders Table” on your preferred podcast app.

P.S: Subscribe and share with a friend on whatever podcast platform you use

---

Let’s get right in….

Have you ever wondered whether you should pursue your passion or the money? This is a common dilemma for many people, especially young founders and professionals who want to grow up the career ladder. Some people are driven by a mission, a vision, or a cause that they believe in and want to make a difference in the world. These are the missionaries. Others are motivated by profit, opportunity, or market demand. These are the merchants.

I used to identify as a merchant because of my passion for making money, but then I discovered how much I valued my mission and how it affected the people (founders) closest to me. I could put off gratification for them, which shifted me towards being a missionary

To be sincere, I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to this question, but there are trade-offs and consequences that you should be aware of. In this article, I will share with you an anecdotal story and some tips on how to make a good decision when recruiting or growing your career.

Two friends have very different aspirations. One of them, let's call him Mark, was passionate about music and wanted to become a famous music producer. He spent most of his time writing songs, playing guitar, and working with local artists, sometimes for free. He had a lot of talent and charisma, but he also faced a lot of challenges and uncertainties in the music industry. He had to deal with rejection, competition, and low income. He often struggled to pay his bills and had to work part-time jobs to support himself.

The other friend, let's call her Lisa, was interested in business and wanted to become a successful entrepreneur. She studied hard, networked with influential people, and joined a prestigious consulting firm after graduation. She had a lot of skills and ambition, but she also faced a lot of pressure and stress in the corporate world. She had to work long hours, travel frequently, and meet high expectations. She often sacrificed her personal life and health for her career goals.

Both Mark and Lisa had their own reasons and values for choosing their paths. Mark was happy when he was creating music and sharing it with others. He felt fulfilled when he was expressing himself and inspiring people with his art. He didn't care much about fame or fortune, as long as he could do what he loved. Lisa was happy when she was solving problems and creating value for her clients. She felt accomplished when she was achieving results and recognition for her work. She didn't care much about passion or purpose, as long as she could do what she was good at.

However, both Mark and Lisa also had their own regrets and challenges along the way. Mark sometimes wished he had more stability and security in his life. He wondered if he could ever make a living from his music or if he would have to give up his dream someday. He also felt lonely and isolated at times, as he didn't have many friends who shared his vision or understood his struggles. Lisa sometimes wished she had more freedom and flexibility in her life. She wondered if she could ever find meaning or happiness in her work or if she would have to settle for less someday. She also felt exhausted and burned out at times, as she didn't have much time for herself or her loved ones.

So who was right? Who was wrong? Who was happier? Who was more successful? The answer is: it depends.

It depends on what you value most in life and work. It depends on what you are willing to sacrifice and what you are not willing to compromise on. It depends on what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. It depends on what the market needs and what the society rewards.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. You have to find your own balance between being a missionary or a merchant, between following your passion or the money.

Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Know yourself: What are your strengths, interests, values, and goals? What makes you happy, fulfilled, motivated, and energized? What are you passionate about? What are you good at? What do you want to achieve in life and work? What would you never compromise on?

• Know the market: What are the opportunities, trends, demands, and challenges in your field or industry? What are the skills, knowledge, experience, and network that you need to succeed? What are the rewards, risks, trade-offs, and costs that you have to consider?

• Know your options: What are the different paths that you can take to reach your destination? What are the pros and cons of each option? How do they align with your values and goals? How do they fit with your personality and lifestyle?

• Know your decision: What are the criteria that you will use to evaluate your options? What are the trade-offs that you are willing to accept? What are the consequences that you are prepared to face? What are the alternatives that you have in case things don't work out?

• Know your action: What are the steps that you will take to implement your decision? What are the resources that you will need to support your action? What are the milestones that you will use to measure your progress? What are the feedback that you will seek to improve your performance?

By following these tips, you can make a more informed and intentional choice about your path in life and work. You can also be more flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and new opportunities. You can also be more confident and satisfied with your decision and action.

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of being a missionary or a merchant. There is only the answer that is right for you.

Till next time,
Uwem

P.S: I’m contemplating migrating to Beehiv, any thoughts on which is better between Substack and Beehive?