I honestly don’t know what we’re talking about in this picture. That’s me with Dave (left) and Rick (right), the two masterminds behind BlogWorld Expo. Because Dave’s in the picture, there’s a 90% chance we’re talking about BBQ of some sort. Look at my lips…it kind of looks like I’m saying “mmmmmm” right?

Anyway, today, I’m posting a picture of me with Dave and Rick not just because it looks all fancy pants (Fro Knows Photos = Amazing), but because I wanted to let y’all in on the biggest secret to loving your job EVER. FOREVER EVER.

It isn’t about the tasks you’re doing. It isn’t about being good at what you do. It definitely isn’t about making a boatload of money. You want to love going to work in the morning? Simple - find a job where you love the people around you.

I’m not going to lie - at BlogWorld, I’m underpaid (not because they’re cheapasses, but because it’s a young, growing, founder-funded endeavor where the owners barely pay themselves) and a lot of the work I do is thankless (not from my bosses, who constantly encourage me, but from the readers - it’s the Internet, so for every awesome person, there’s a jackhole waiting in the wings to leave a nasty comment or send a ridiculously lousy email). The week that BlogWorld happens, I don’t get much sleep, and even though I have a lot of fun, I also get super stressed out. I often feel like my best isn’t good enough.

But I’ll keep working for BlogWorld as long as they’ll have me and as long as I can financially afford it. Why? Easy: the people are amazing. Dave and Rick are the type of bosses that anyone would be lucky to have - I consider them friends, and that’s not something most people can say of the people who own the company where they work. Not only that, but the other people that make up the BlogWorld team - Nikki, Deb, Patti, Jennifer, and all the countless others who are part of BlogWorld are some of the most supportive, fun, smart people I’ve ever met. It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime team, and I get to be a small part of that. It makes me all tingly with excitement to work with them every day.

My friends, that’s something you just can’t replace with a higher paycheck or even a more “fun” job. You could be paid minimum wage to scoop poop and if you get to work beside people who are awesome every day, it’s much better than getting that paycheck with the extra zeroes and even doing tasks that you really enjoy but dreading going to work every day. Sure, a position that really sings to you can make things better, especially if you work in an environment where you don’t have to be in close contact with those around you…but imagine if you can do that job while hanging out with your friends. Pretty much the best situation ever, right?

I think so.

Companies like BlogWorld do exist out there. I know I’m not the only one in the world who is working with awesome people. So, right now, do what ya gotta do to make ends meet, but don’t stop looking for that position where you truly fit, where you’re not just a cog in the corporate machine, but rather where you’re a member of a family.