As a recruiting leader and business owner, I have hundreds of conversations with professionals who are wrestling with the same question: “What’s next?” They’re discontent in their current jobs or careers, but the path forward feels shrouded in fog. They’re contemplating a career switch, dreaming of starting their own venture, but the “how” remains a daunting mystery. If you’ve ever felt that knot of unease in your stomach, that sense of being adrift in your professional life, you’re not alone.
Navigating the journey to find work you love isn’t easy. It’s rarely comfortable. But, trust me—it’s worth it.
My friend Chris Wall is someone who’s navigated this journey with wisdom, courage, and a healthy dose of intentionality. Chris is a 25-year veteran in the animation industry, with experience at companies like Big Idea and DreamWorks Animation. In 2016, he stepped out on his own to co-found Shining Isle Productions. For nearly a decade, Chris has led Shining Isle to make a meaningful impact in the industry (check out his bio below for some of the impressive accomplishments they’ve achieved). But more than that, he’s passionate about being a mentor and resource for those wrestling with the same career questions he once did.
Because of his unique story and experience as a creative leader, I asked Chris to join me in offering insights to help people who find themselves at a “career crossroads.” Our hope is that whether you’re a budding creative talent or working your way up the corporate ladder, you can embrace these “universal truths” to navigate the journey to find work you love.
Following Your Passion vs. Finding Work You Love
Let’s unpack a common misconception: “following your passion.” We often conflate it with finding work we love, but they’re not always the same. You might be passionate about painting, but that doesn’t guarantee a thriving creative career. Sometimes, our passions are best enjoyed as hobbies, as outlets for deep satisfaction.
Finding work you love, on the other hand, is about aligning your work with a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. It’s about finding that sweet spot where your skills and values intersect with a tangible contribution to the world.
In pursuit of work you love, what you want ultimately out of life is a more meaningful filter than a particular job title. And sometimes, that means looking beyond passion to consider what truly drives you.
Universal Truths to Finding Work You Love
1. Know Yourself First: The Compass for Your Career Journey
Rather than chasing a “dream job” or title, take time to understand yourself. What truly motivates you? What kind of work energizes you? Self-awareness is key.
For me (Chris), this happened in a variety of ways over time – both through assessments and personal reflection. A little over a decade ago, I was asked to join a CLC group here in Nashville. Part of the experience was taking a few different assessments to really get at the core of who we were as leaders. I learned that innovation is a key driver for me. There were other moments when I stepped back and realized that my entire career had been working in entertainment that pursued deeper meaning.
Going through these processes of personal evaluation and reflection helped me understand myself in new ways. Whenever I’m at a “crossroads” I can ask myself: Does this align with who I am? Is this the right environment for me?
Career crossroads become less daunting when you know yourself because self-knowledge is a powerful guide.
2. Trading Soul for Salary: Beware of the “Golden Handcuffs”
A high paycheck isn’t always worth the cost. Plenty of professionals stay in jobs they hate because of the salary or lifestyle it provides. This is something I (Kent) have seen dozens and dozens of times in my work in the corporate world – A VP-level leader at a company feels ‘handcuffed” to their company or career because they feel like they can’t leave. But this “good enough” job is slowly killing them inside.
As Annie Duke writes in Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, “Success is not achieved by quitting things just because they are hard. But success is also not achieved by sticking to hard things that are not worthwhile.”
The key is knowing when to push through and when to walk away. If you can’t feel like you can truly be yourself in a particular role or at a particular company, it’s probably a good indicator to look for something else.
3. Don’t Let Fear Be Your Guide: Chase Excitement, Not Escape
Making career decisions out of fear rarely leads to long-term fulfillment. Instead, focus on what excites you and what you hope to build, rather than what you’re trying to avoid.
For me (Chris), those moments of hitting the bottom in my career helped me realize the things I was afraid of were tough, but I made it through. This helped me recognize that my family and I can make it through difficult times – and has offered a new filter for evaluating new opportunities.
Whenever I faced a big decision, I channeled my inner Matt Foley and asked: Am I willing to live in a van down by the river to make this happen? If the opportunity excites me more than it scares me, it’s usually worth pursuing.
4. Stay Open and Curious, Even in the Hard Moments: Finding Opportunity in Discomfort
When setbacks happen, bitterness is easy. Curiosity is harder—but much more rewarding. Pay attention to what’s next, stay receptive to new opportunities, and trust that discomfort can be a doorway to growth.
There are times when both of us have faced setbacks in our careers – when we’ve started things that haven’t worked out – or where we’ve been dealt career cards that we didn’t want. Instead of obsessing over closed doors, we turned our backs to them and looked for what was next. Without that mindset, we would have missed opportunities.
Humility and curiosity lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Stay open to what’s ahead.
5. Surround Yourself with the Right People: Your Career’s “Board of Directors”
Career transitions aren’t meant to be navigated alone. The right mentors and connections can provide guidance, wisdom, and even unexpected opportunities.
When I (Chris) stepped away from the larger studio and corporate space to start my own company, I thought I’d have an easier time navigating the startup space. But there was so much I didn’t know. I wish I had sought out more mentors earlier on.
If you’re considering a career move, connect with people who’ve already walked that path. Their insights can save you years of trial and error.
6. Test the Risks Before You Leap: Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs
Taking a leap of faith doesn’t mean jumping blindly. Before making a move, consider both the challenge and the reward—does this path push you to grow, or does it feel like a lateral move with little upside? Risk is inevitable, but calculated risks rooted in your strengths and long-term vision lead to the most meaningful change.
One of my (Kent) favorite authors is Jim Collins. In his book Great by Choice, Jim highlights the concept of “Fire Bullets, Then Cannonballs”. Basically, you’re trying things out on a small scale first, like firing bullets to test your direction. Once you’ve figured out the sweet spot, then you launch the cannonball.
Taking small steps or “firing bullets” is a helpful tactic — especially when you find yourself on the “hamster wheel of indecision.”
What’s Your Next Step?
Finding work you love is a journey. It requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. But when you pursue work that aligns with who you are, the rewards are worth it.
If you’re at a career crossroads, remember this: Clarity comes from action. You don’t have to map out the next ten years—you just need to take the next right step.
So, take a deep breath, embrace the crossroads, and remember that your next chapter is waiting to be written.
More About Chris:
Chris Wall is a 25-year veteran of kids and family animation and the co-founder of Shining Isle Productions, an independent animation studio launched in 2016. As CEO, he leads a team of world-class animators bringing visionary storytelling to life. Under his leadership, Shining Isle has produced two seasons of The Wingfeather Saga—the largest crowdfunded animated series in kids and family entertainment history, raising over $7 million for its first two seasons. When not working to bring thoughtful and meaningful art into the world, you can find Chris outside with his wife and kids, deriving creativity and inspiration from the outdoors around Nashville, TN.
By Kent Wilson & Chris Wall