Parnassah

 

Duties of the Heart says that your parnassah isn't dependent on a particular means. "One should not think that his livelihood depends on a particular means and that if these means fail, his livelihood will not come from a different means. Rather, trust in the Al-mighty, and know that all means are equal for Him." You will get what is decreed for you. You should choose for your parnassah a field that interests you. "One who finds his nature and personality attracted to a certain occupation, and his body is suited for it, that he will be able to bear its demands - he should pursue it, and make it his means of earning a livelihood." 

Thus, aiming for a high paying field is not proper if you will not enjoy that field. It will not bring you any more money. Often, those who live the contemporary mantra of the world standing on Gemara, Gelt, and Guilt can't imagine doing anything but studying Gemara lomdus. Then they can't imagine the purpose  -- for  those who "must work" as they say -- of doing anything but the most lucrative business because one needs money to support Torah and one word of Torah, blah, blah, blah. All the nuances of life are lost in this dogma. It is not the proper way to approach things. Going for the money against your nature is the same as seeing your occupation rather than Hashem as the source of the money. "If one's livelihood comes through one of the means he worked on, it is proper for him not to trust in this source, rejoice in it, intensify in it, and turn his heart to it, because this will weaken his trust in the Al-mighty."

Working in the wrong profession can destroy a person's mind. Likewise, abandoning your dreams can destroy your psyche. The Rambam said, "Seeing that the maintenance of the body in a healthy and sound condition is a God-chosen way, for, lo, it is impossible that one should understand or know aught of the divine knowledge concerning the Creator when he is sick, it is necessary for man to distance himself from things which destroy the body, and accustom himself in things which are healthful and life-imparting." (Hilchos Deos 4:1) If you destroy your mind,  you also will not be able to engage in spiritual pursuits.

All those who give eitzah, all those rabbis who tell people how to live, keep this in mind. Get to know the person who comes to you. What makes him tick? What is his nature? You don't have to divine it. Ask him and usually he'll you. If your practice is always to deliver the bad news, always to say no, always to say no you can't do it, you can't go there, if you deem your job to be Mr. Din, if like the old Marx Brothers song line "whatever it is I'm against it." know that you are going to ruin people. The result will not be more Torah study but less.