Does Passion Come from Work or from Perspective

Ever wondered how some people can work the same job for 20 years and find job satisfaction? What about those who wake up every day excited about life, exuding confidence and success? What makes them different?

I think it’s probably fair to say that most people don’t fit into either category. Most people go through the motions of life, working hard, playing the hand that has been dealt to them, never quite reaching their full potential or ever discovering their true purpose in life. But, is dragging one’s self out of bed every morning, showing up to a boring job and counting the hours until the work day is over really living? I submit to you that it’s not! However, there must be a correlation between it and substance abuse, sex/food addictions and victim syndrome. A lot of people find comfort from these bedmates.

One writer once described passion as “food for the soul, the courage to express one’s convictions and zest for life, and the spark that illuminates purpose and mission” (Norris, 2000). Does passion exist in the type work that people do? Does it come from making a lot of money? What about religion, volunteerism or philanthropy?

Passion does not exist within the job but within the individual. I believe we all have the power to transform ourselves and our life situations for the better. Most of the time, it is as simple as a shift in our perspective. I like what Kara Pecknold, (2008) suggested in a recent article. She suggested that in lieu of focusing on all of the things that may be wrong in our lives and with our jobs, we should write down all of the things that are good, the things that we are grateful for and then take one thing from our list that is important to us and create a simple one month project where we can increase that component in our daily lives. When one’s focus changes, one’s attitude and perspective also changes. Thus, one's life can change.

What is your passion? I challenge you to unleash it and live life to the fullest.