Passion: A strong fondness, enthusiasm or desire for anything.
How do you feel when you wake up in the morning? Do you look forward to the day ahead? Are you energized and optimistic about what the day holds? Do you love what you’re doing as your career? These are not casual questions. In fact, these questions are fundamental not only to your professional success, but to your happiness with your life in general.
Passion is a very powerful thing. It acts as a fuel for our human creativity, confidence, personal magnetism and ability to perform at the highest possible level. From a career perspective, Passion transforms a job into a calling.
Work becomes play… Instead of having to spur yourself into action, you’ll have to pull in the reins to keep from charging forward. Imagine all of this comes from a simple decision to do what we love and love what we do.
Many of us have heard the following quote: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Sounds great, doesn't it? Who wouldn't want to never work again? I’d like to share a little secret I’ve discovered. Passion can fuel happiness, but happiness is a state of mind. It’s up to each of us to decide whether or not to be happy and to renew that decision on an ongoing basis. Here are some tips to help you grow your passion and change your career for the better.
Become a fountain of ideas: How can you improve what you do on a daily basis? What do you see in your customer’s business that could be enhanced or improved with your help and support? Ask questions and drive innovation within your organization. Be the change you desire.
Focus on accomplishment: Getting things done is a great way to build our positive self-image and thus a passion for accomplishment. Set ambitious goals, cross them off the list as you achieve them and watch your enthusiasm explode. A mentor once told me that if you want to improve your self esteem, try doing something esteem-able.
Keep it fun and fresh: Boredom is not someone else’s responsibility. Constantly look for ways to keep your job (and your life) fresh and new. Try new things. Don’t fear failure. Be daring and take the leap. Envision how you’ll feel when you succeed.
Commit, commit, commit: Committing to something isn't a one-and-done thing. Commitment by its very definition requires ongoing renewal. Don’t let yourself drift into negative thinking. Don’t start taking the easier, softer way. Avoid taking shortcuts. Remember to enjoy the journey while traveling to the destination. Commit yourself to continuous improvement and don’t let anything or anyone curb your passion.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is that passion is a marathon, not a sprint. It can be easy to get distracted by the ups and downs of work and life. Sometimes you’ll be exhilarated; other times you’ll have to press on through the pain. Stay the course because the rewards are worth it.
Be fond of your career opportunity. Bring enthusiasm to your job and your life, and desire happiness in your life above all else. It’s your life and your choice. Choose passion.
Until next time…
