Trending
How important is it to be passionate about what you do in your career? Well, I'm glad you asked, but there isn't an exact answer. It depends on you.
Why is it important to understand our passions in our work? Whether it's a career where you work for someone else or a business, where you run the show, it's important to understand your passions because it is how you find meaning in your work. It is customized motivation just for you that allows you to connect your work with feeling satisfied and fulfilled.
When you are connected with something that you are passionate about, you have feelings of happiness, joy, of doing something meaningful. It fuels you and allows you to keep going even on days that are less than stellar. And we've all have days like those.
But beyond what you feel, it also translates into higher productivity and flow. You engage with your work differently.
"There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions in a way that serves the world and you." - Richard Branson
Here's what you need to know about finding and creating more passion in your career and business.
It may not already exist. Passion is something that you can develop, curate, and piece together. It's not that you are born with it or not. So don't get anxious if you don't feel passion, get curious instead. Follow the thread of the things you care about.
It's not an all or nothing. You may be passionate about your entire career or work that you do for your business. Or, you may be only passionate about certain aspects of your career. Explore what you enjoy, or you feel passionate about and strive to incorporate more of that. Make decisions that take you in that direction now that you are aware of it. Pay attention to other things that allow you to feel the same way. That can open you up to new directions.
It's not carved in stone. Once you find what you are passionate about in your work, it doesn't always stay that way. Sometimes, it's too much of a good thing. Other times, it just runs its course. Passion in your work is a continual process of exploration and an awareness of what makes your little toes tap!
So, knowing that, how do you find more? Here are some tips!
Ask yourself good, thought-provoking questions. In an article on passion and career advice, it encourages people to ask good questions like, "What drives you? "What makes you feel proud?" "What gets you fired up?" "What gives you a sense of purpose?" Take some time and explore these questions. Journal the answers, create a mindmap, or find another creative way to see where these questions will lead.
Discover your career values. Your career values are what you want to experience while you are performing the work that you do and are tied directly to your job satisfaction. There are several ways that you can discover your career values, but what I use most often with my clients are questions that allow you to uncover precisely what your values are for you. They are usually one or two-word phrases.
- What must be present for you in the context of your career?
- What is valuable to you beyond the role or responsibilities that you have?
- What is most important to you to experience in your career?
You might say it's a great team. Maybe it's respect or a chance to develop professionally. It might be that you want flexibility in your role or more autonomy. If you'd like to explore this further, click here for a worksheet and exercise that can help you explore your own career values. It's how you define professional success for you.
Pay attention to the things that excite you. Sounds trite, I know, but really, what are the things you enjoy? What are the aspects of the work that you do that light you up or feel effortless? What are you enthusiastic about? Whether you are looking for a career change or just a more satisfying career in the work you already do, this needs to be part of the development of your career path.
Finding your passion is a process. It's not a one and done. It's not that you have it or you don't. It's a willingness to be open, to have a curiosity about what motivates you. If you'd like to explore experiencing your career in a way that is more fulfilling, fun, and financially stable, let's have a conversation to help get you more clarity on what that looks like for you!
Here's wishing you the clarity you deserve! Be good to yourself.