How to Live a Happy and Productive Life

I recently saw a video interview on  DifferentBrains.com with Stephen Shore, Ed.D.- who is an author, autism advocate, professor at Adelphi University and actually autistic.

In the video he spoke about autistic individuals finding employment. This is of interest to me because I have a son on the autism spectrum and I’m always trying to educate myself to better the work I’m doing on  AutismHR.com.

The information that Shore shared is something true for autistic individuals seeking meaningful employment, but also true of anyone seeking meaningful employment, or the means to a fulfilling profession.

I’m paraphrasing a bit here, but the essence is, that when interest, skill and ability intersect that’s the recipe for a happy, productive life. I encourage you to check out that post/video interview  here.

Shore eloquently summed it up, in my opinion. I would only add that one needs to continuously work at discovering who s/he is and be self-aware to help constantly course-correct their path to a happy, productive life. I believe this because as time passes often our interests, skills and abilities evolve, grow and change.

Sometimes those interests, skills and abilities develop over time in far different directions from where they originated. That’s okay if you continue to have a solid relationship with yourself and figure out what you need and want to remain focused on your main directional heading — North, toward Happy and Productive.

“What about the money?” You say. Yes, people need to make a certain amount of money from their work to cover the basic necessities of human living, and other financial obligations/saving for the future.

But, if you’ve figured out what your intersection of interests, skills and abilities looks like to produce a happy and productive life for yourself you will remain motivated by that to put in the time and effort to figure out how to create income from it.

If the passion is there and you put in the work, you can find the money. It won’t be easy, but it is possible.
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However, if you’re not interested in being happy and productive and you don’t know where your interests, skills and abilities intersect then you will most certainly have a hard time finding fulfillment from whatever money you are able to earn.

​Posted by: Nick Venturella

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