How to Do More of What You Love: A Prescription for Joy and Fulfillment

In an era where burnout is worn like a badge of honor and free time is seen as a myth, the idea of doing more of what you love may sound like an indulgent fantasy. Yet, as an old African proverb wisely states, “When the food is cooked, let the children eat first before the dogs arrive.” In other words, prioritize what truly matters before external distractions steal your time and energy. This article serves as your foolproof prescription for doing more of what you love—doctor’s orders! And trust me, this is one prescription you won’t want to skip.

Step 1: Start by Knowing What You Love

Imagine a patient walks into a clinic, exhausted and disillusioned. “Doctor, I just don’t have time to do what I enjoy,” they sigh. The doctor leans in and asks, “What do you love doing?” The patient stares blankly. Sound familiar? Many of us move through life like a lost goat in a marketplace, too distracted by the noise to notice where we truly belong.

Before you can do more of what you love, you must first diagnose what that is. For some, it’s painting; for others, it’s playing the piano, traveling, writing, or even designing groundbreaking digital health solutions. (Ahem, sounds familiar?) The key is to identify what sets your soul on fire.

Take the case of Dr. Amina Patel, a physician who spent a decade believing she loved clinical medicine. Deep down, however, she was drawn to global health advocacy. After one too many days feeling unfulfilled, she took a leap, shifting to public health policy. Today, she wakes up excited, knowing her work influences healthcare systems on a larger scale. If she hadn’t recognized her true passion, she might still be in a white coat, treating patients while secretly longing for something else.

Discovering what you love isn’t always a straightforward process. Sometimes, it requires trial and error. Think of it like shopping for a pair of shoes at an open-air market—some might look good but pinch your toes, while others might not seem appealing at first but turn out to be the perfect fit. Experiment, reflect, and fine-tune your passions until you find the activities that bring you deep fulfillment.

Step 2: Do Less of the Things You Only ‘Like’

The great African philosopher (otherwise known as your grandmother) once said, “Do not let the things that matter least take up the space of the things that matter most.” Many people confuse what they like with what they love. They like watching TV, scrolling through social media, or attending endless networking events. But do these activities truly bring lasting joy and fulfillment?

Let’s take Brian, an ambitious young healthcare entrepreneur. He liked being a hospital administrator—it paid the bills, and he had job security. But he loved building health tech solutions that could transform patient care. The moment he reduced time spent on administrative work and focused on his digital health start-up, he felt more alive. The result? A thriving business that reshaped medical record management in rural hospitals.

The truth is, liking something is a comfortable trap. Loving something requires courage. To do more of what you love, you must be ruthless about cutting down on activities that merely fill time but don’t nourish your spirit.

One practical way to do this is by conducting a “joy audit.” Take a week to note down your daily activities and rate them from 1 to 10 based on how much joy they bring you. You’ll likely find that many of your activities score a mediocre 5 or 6. Now, imagine replacing those with activities that rank at an 8, 9, or even 10! Suddenly, life feels richer and more meaningful.

Step 3: Don’t Do Things ‘Just Because’ You Have Time to Spare

An African proverb says, “If you keep chasing rats, you will miss the antelope.” Translation? Just because something is available doesn’t mean it’s worth your attention.

People often fall into the trap of doing things simply because they have time. Ever heard someone say, “I’ll go to that three-hour meeting because I have no other plans,” or “Let me volunteer for this project even though I have no passion for it”? This is how people waste precious time that could be spent doing what truly matters.

Meet Linda, a talented physiotherapist. She loved writing about sports rehabilitation but found herself constantly agreeing to extra shifts at work simply because she “had the time.” Before she knew it, her passion project—a blog dedicated to injury prevention for athletes—was gathering dust. It wasn’t until she made a conscious decision to say “no” to unnecessary commitments that she finally had time to write, growing her platform into a leading resource in her field.

The lesson? Being busy is not the same as being productive. Just because your schedule has gaps doesn’t mean you should fill them with anything that comes along.

A great way to avoid this trap is to actively schedule time for your passions. Treat them as important appointments that cannot be canceled. Set reminders, block out time on your calendar, and protect that time fiercely. If someone asks you to do something that doesn’t align with your priorities, remember this magical phrase: “I’d love to, but I’m already committed to something important.”

Conclusion: Take Your Medicine

Doing more of what you love isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for a fulfilling life. Start by knowing what you truly love, do less of what you only like, and stop doing things just because you have the time. Life is too short to be spent running in circles like a chicken that forgot where the coop is.

So, take your prescription, swallow it whole, and start making space for what brings you joy. And remember, a child who does not cry will not be fed—speak up for what you love, prioritize it, and let everything else take a backseat. The time to start is now!

If all else fails, remember one last African proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” No more waiting. Start today!