Waking up with purpose, with goals and the drive to move forward every day, is a beautiful thing. Time must be used wisely, circumstances must be managed, and opportunities—seized.
Waking up every day, washing up, getting dressed, having breakfast, heading out by car or bus to work, doing the same thing you did yesterday, only with a different date… coming home after a long shift, showering, fixing dinner, watching TV until you fall asleep, waiting for the weekend to arrive. That long-awaited weekend of rest which—when it comes—ends up being just like every other weekend. Then it’s back to the routine.
Sound familiar? Truth is, routine is a part of life. It brings structure and purpose. But too much routine can be overwhelming.
Now, add to that a job you don’t enjoy—a job you do just because you have to—and suddenly, smiles become rare.
Most people dedicate 70% of their effort to work. We spend a third of our lives working—just as we spend a third sleeping. That’s why doing something you truly enjoy is so essential to happiness.
Many people trade happiness for money. But does money bring happiness? That’s subjective. Money is necessary in society, sure—but it’s only a means. It’s not the destination.
When you love what you do, you feel joy. You enjoy it. You thrive. And yes—you get paid for it. If you’re passionate about your work, you’ll likely do it well—and that, in turn, can generate more income.
Sounds simple enough… but the real question is: do you know what you love? That’s where many people—especially young people—get stuck. And in that uncertainty, they lose something priceless: time.
Knowing what you love is key to being happy and earning money. It’s a chain reaction of decisions that shapes your life—and your joy.
If you’re passionate about adventure, traveling, and discovering new places—if tourism excites you—then go for it. Dive into what fascinates you. The same goes for any field.
Take this story for example—of a tour guide who one day simply decided to become one. Efraín Valles is an ordinary man with ambition and dreams, but at first, no clear direction. Then he realized that doing what he loved was the only way to be happy and truly do great things.
“To be a tour guide, you need to feel passionate about your culture and your country.”
Efraín Valles, a proud native of Cusco, was named World’s Best Tour Guide in 2014 by Wanderlust Magazine. He recently sat down with ¡Vamos! to talk about the job that changed his life.
He started like any other local guide—knowledgeable, friendly, passionate. But with dedication, consistency, heart, and effort, he rose to become a global ambassador.
“I went to a Catholic school. Later, I got into a computer science program, but I dropped out. I just didn’t feel it. I knew I wanted to work in tourism. I was born in Urubamba, and ever since I was a kid, I loved the idea of guiding travelers. One thing led to another… and now I’m an ambassador for Peru.”
The key is to do what you love—no matter what others think. Believe in yourself, and walk boldly into happiness. The rest will follow.
