How to Find Passion in Your Job

finding-passion.jpg
Photo by Kara Pecknold

Are you in a stage of loving your life so much that you would pay money to live it? If not? What can you do about it? A common question asked is, “I really want to feel that way, but I’m just not passionate about anything. How do I find passion?”

A friend of mine asked me that question a few weeks ago. He has a high paying job and what appears to lead a full and fulfilling life, complete with volunteering and interesting hobbies. But he felt that something was still missing. He was looking for his purpose and genuinely wanted to find his passion. “I like a lot of things, but I don’t have any passions. How can I find passion, Tina?” This is a great question, and one that got me pondering about the topic. This article specifically looks at finding passion in your job.

This is part two of my notes from Professor Srikumar Rao‘s google talk, along with my personal thoughts on the topic. You can find part one here: How to Make Profound and Lasting Change.

The Problem

Most of us make the mistake of assuming that our ideal job is out there somewhere, and we have to go out and find it. We tell ourselves that our lives will be great, just as soon as we find it. As a result, we end up defining our ideal job using a widely accepted, but arbitrary, set of parameters. How much the job pays, job title on your business card, type of person our boss is, size of our office, how much we get to travel. We say in our minds, once I can find that, then I can be passionate about my job. Chances are, that job probably doesn’t exist. Assuming that it did exist and we were put into that situation, within a few months, we will probably be back in the same state we are now. Unsatisfied.

The Secret to Passion

Passion do not exist in the job, it exists within us. Either we find it in us right where we are, or we will never find it. Only within us, can the passions of our soul shine through. The best place to start igniting that passion, is where you are, right now.

The beautiful thing is that if you ignite passion within you from where you are, the external world has a miraculous and magnificent way of rearranging itself to suit the new person you are becoming.

The Unhappiness Spiral

Every time we are unhappy with what we are doing, or we feel frustrated, angry or disappointed, two things are always true:

  1. We are concentrating exclusively on the two or three things that are wrong with the job. We ignore the 30 or 40 things that are pretty good about it.
  2. We are living completely in a Me Centered Universe. We tell ourselves, “Oh, poor me. Poor me. How unfair this situation is.” We start to view our lives as if everything existed as to make things more difficult for us. We focus entirely on how the world affects us. It is impossible to live a truly fulfilled life if we are living exclusively in a Me Centered Universe.

Exercise: How to Find Passion in Your Job

We all have the innate 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. The following is an exercise to help us get out of that space consumed with negativity about our present situation. The exercise is tailored to finding passion in your job, but it really applies to every area of life.

  1. Take a notebook with you at all times.
  2. Systematically noting down things that are pretty darn good about your job. Things you enjoy. Things you are grateful for. Co-workers you like.
  3. Take one thing from this list that is important to you and significant to the company. Come up with a simple one month project where you will be increasing that component in your daily life. Example, if you work with a few pleasant customers, then the project could be: how to get more customers like that? Or, how to get our current customers to be like that? Or, how to get more work with those pleasant customers?
  4. Do something every day to help you accomplish your projects goal. It’s best to do this in the morning as a priority item, but anytime during the day will give you a boost.
  5. Evaluate your progress at the end of the month. Give yourself more time if you need.

Through actively practicing the exercise above, you will discover that there is an enormous amount that is great about your job and your present situation. The act of noting down the things you like, will take you to a different space. If you continue with points 3-5 consistently, by the end of the year, you will have completed as many as 6 projects that are important to you and are significant to the company.


This exercise forces you change what you focus on, which changes your perspective and outlook. You will find that you are no longer in the job you dreaded, your entire professional life has changed and your ideal job has grown around you. Recognize that you were the creator of that ideal job and the creator for this positive space you are currently living in.

Parting Words

Sometimes, we spend so much of our free time thinking about how much we dislike our current situation that we forget that what we repeat in our heads becomes our reality. The more we repeat that story, the more we reinforce that story. As we reinforce the story, we identify with it and it changes your perspective. What we often do not realize is that these stories we tell ourselves are hurting us. One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is to recognize that we are not our stories, and to becoming aware of when our mind chatter starts telling these stories.

We are never as stuck as we think. We are never as ‘incompetent’ as we think. We are never as insecure as our minds have us believe. Practice being the observer to your mind, thoughts and stories.

What is one aspect of your job or life situation that you are unhappy about? What are some things (name several) you enjoy about your job or life situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. See you there!

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91 Responses (68 Comments, 23 Trackbacks ):

Comments

  1. Jarrod - Warrior Development

    Jun 17 08, 5:11 pm PDT

    1

    Very Interesting. I recently wrote a mini-series on Finding Passion in Your Daily Life but even though work is part of daily life I hadn’t thought about work specifically.

    This is a really good article on making your work days more enjoyable and it also makes you more valuable to the company. Happy employees are the best :D

    Personally I work in software development, I like to make stuff. It also gives me the skills to work on my personal development blog which I’m also passionate about.

  2. Shilpan | successsoul.com

    Jun 17 08, 5:18 pm PDT

    2

    Tina -

    I’ve been through this phase already. It’s true that passion doesn’t exist in a job where we trade time for money. It exists deep down in our heart. It excites us not only financially but spiritually as well. I’ve quit my job three years ago. I’m happier than ever despite all the challenges I face to shape my own destiny.

    Shilpan

  3. Graeme

    Jun 17 08, 5:27 pm PDT

    3

    I’ve seen a funny comic on this topic:

    http://eandmu.com/2008/03/28/more-to-life/

  4. Sara

    Jun 17 08, 5:27 pm PDT

    4

    I get to work on the happy-client side of my workplace. If someone has a problem, they don’t go through me, which lets me focus on the positive. For me, that’s a huge benefit. It’s very draining work, though, and I’d love to have more energy for my home life at the end of the day.

    On the subject of passion, I think the word itself scares off some people. These folks might think they need to be deliriously in love with their work each second of the day to be considered passionate. For me, passion and deep, lasting satisfaction are synonymous.

  5. John Rocheleau

    Jun 17 08, 5:36 pm PDT

    5

    I like your perspective on this Tina. It does begin within ourselves.

    I can especially resonate with your thought on pleasant customers. I have always found that you get what you expect from people, and customers are no exception.

    My practice has been to expect the best from customers, to hold a metaphorical door open for them to feel better. They usually walk through it, because everyone wants to feel better. All you have to do is hold that door wide open. It makes all the difference to your experience at work.

    Cheers,
    John

  6. Andrea Hess | Empowered Soul

    Jun 17 08, 6:17 pm PDT

    6

    I feel blessed every day to love and adore my job! But that has nothing to do with what I “do” every day. It’s more that at least 70% of my business allows me to express who I truly am. Okay, so the other 30% or so does consist of administrative tedium … but I am certainly not going to focus on that!

    Whatever we focus on expands. Focus on the negative, and it’s all we see. If we focus on the joy and fulfillment our work brings us, that will expand, also.

    Blessings,
    Andrea

  7. Marc and Angel Hack Life

    Jun 17 08, 6:35 pm PDT

    7

    Tina, you really have a remarkable way of putting your words together. You could not have said it any better. We must first change our way of thinking before we can expect to change the realities of the world around us.

    Wonderful read… ;-)

  8. Eric Liao

    Jun 17 08, 7:25 pm PDT

    8

    Recently I use ATTENTION to guide me through out the day. Interestingly, we actually paid ATTENTION on negative thing on unsatisfying thing and that reinforcing Negative Self-Dialog and emotion generated underneath.

    Passion for me is from Within. If we do not know our purpose, we will continue to find the happiness from outside world.
    Gratefully, I do not need to worry financially for past few months so I can spend time to find inner self. I realized we do not need passion just we already live in passion surrounding. You are part of passion. Just my 2 cents.

    ***********************
    REPLY

    You are so right. If we look, with conscious awareness, anything we do can become a passion and incredibly enjoyable. Even trivial tasks that we traditionally dread, like cleaning our kitchen, can become a joyful experience.

    Tina

  9. Shun Jian | RichGrad.com

    Jun 17 08, 11:38 pm PDT

    9

    Are you in a stage of loving your life so much that you would pay money to live it? <—— YES!

    Looking back, quitting my job 1 year back to become a full-time personal development blogger/internet marketer was the best decision I’ve ever made.

    I’m loving every bit of my life now… ups and downs… no more bosses to report to… I can wake up naturally ( without any alarm clocks)… have complete freedom to do what I like when I like… without needing to take leave/off…

    It does help that I’m doing what I’m passionate about now… writing… and sharing… and helping people along the way. =)

  10. Andrew

    Jun 18 08, 2:12 am PDT

    10

    Very Interesting.

    (Marc and Angel Hack Life) We must first change our way of thinking before we can expect to change the realities of the world around us. +1

  11. Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Map

    Jun 18 08, 3:09 am PDT

    11

    I like what you said about passion; that it is not found externally but within us. Passion is what keeps you alive. You don’t consider what you do as work when you have the passion for it. Even when you fall on hard times, your passion is the thing that sustains you through it.

  12. Tom Volkar / Delightful Work

    Jun 18 08, 3:32 am PDT

    12

    Yes passion is found within. Yet passion is stimulated by the possibilities in our work environment. The environment attached to working a job, employed by someone else, is usually lacking inspirational stimulation.

    Near perfect work is possible but it is more often constructed and created from our passions. Self-employment pretty much solves this lack of passion issue. Passion responds to choice. Greater choice exits in the realm of the self-employed.

  13. Avani

    Jun 18 08, 4:11 am PDT

    13

    I enjoy working – being able to create something, make something meaningful with my time. I love the opportunities of growth it provides – sometimes through new assignments and projects and sometimes through tough managers and colleagues.

    I enjoy being able to decide how much and what kind of responsibility do I want to take on. And in process, make way for creating a dream job for myself.

  14. Jeff@MySuper-Charged Life

    Jun 18 08, 6:07 am PDT

    14

    I think that Avani above has summarized what I enjoy about my job very well. Great comments! We are all responsible for choosing work that inspires us. Of course, I think it is important to approach all work situations with an open mind and the right attitude. You never know where your next big break will come from!

  15. Jay

    Jun 18 08, 6:25 am PDT

    15

    Very inspiring words Tina.. I’m having a hard time at work (call center agent), you can just imagine dealing with (angry) customers, and I’m also the type of a person who doesn’t talk a lot or let’s say doesn’t know how to carry a conversation.. I believe you in the “Me centered world”, because I realized that I am like that.. not only with work but on my personal life as well.. I am just starting my path towards improving my personal development.. and reading your writings really helped me a lot… thank you so much..

  16. Jonathan Mead

    Jun 18 08, 6:30 am PDT

    16

    I think passion is definitely found within, but it is also found without to a certain extent as well. But it’s up to us to create the environment that will reinforce that passion. =)

  17. Will is GALVANIZD

    Jun 18 08, 7:42 am PDT

    17

    This is an great supercharged positive article. It compels us to dig down deeper to find those moments that make our jobs feel truly worthwhile for those who do not see it or did not care to examine deeply their purpose of being a part of an organization.

    I felt compelled to reply to this post because I’ve simply racked my brains in trying to make my job fun and interesting and perhaps find a bit of passion for it along the way.

    I am working one of the biggest financial institutions in Canada, but the work is not challenging and there are hardly an opportunities to advance. It entails no client interaction and the social aspect of the workplace is non-existent.

    I’m actually here to ask for advice when you’ve dug deep down and you’re still not able to find this elusive “passion”. I’ve been able to find it in running, public speaking, and improv, but just not my job.

    After a long struggle in trying to make things fun (with many failures along the way) I’ve decided that my current job is a stepping stone towards the next phase in my career in becoming a professional.

    What would any of you do if you were just another “cog in the machine” or were in a similar situation such as my own?

    - Will

    **********************
    REPLY

    Hi Will,

    >What would any of you do if you were just another “cog in the machine” or were in a similar situation such as my own?

    I would find something else to do and move on. ie. I would quit the job and either find another one or start a new business that aligns with my interests.
    It’s a scary thing to think about, because so many of us are stuck in these jobs because of security and comfort. And our minds do not like change, so when we think about the possibilities of change, we’ll feel resistance from ourselves. The key is in ignoring the resistance, have a clear picture of exactly what it is we want, have faith that you will achieve it (you don’t need to know how you’re going to achieve it), and take action towards the end result.

    Tina

  18. Avani

    Jun 18 08, 8:07 am PDT

    18

    @Will, Sometimes we have learnt everything at current level and hence moving forward to new experiences makes sense.

    Some questions for you to think and get answers before making any decisions:
    * What things are perfect about your current job? (Please don’t answer nothing. Sometimes we have to think hard to get answer to this one)
    * How does your job need to be for you to be passionate about it? Answer this in specific points.
    * What steps have you taken in that direction?
    * What would it take from your end to make your current job your dream job?

    The rest, you will do on your own. It will come in a flow. All the best.

  19. Doug

    Jun 18 08, 9:51 am PDT

    19

    Listen to Slipknot ‘People = Shit’ all day. Works for me.

  20. Mark

    Jun 18 08, 9:56 am PDT

    20

    That is all well and good when you are content, but there is very little good where I am. It’s tedious, does not allow my much freedom, is draining, and quite frankly can find very little good about it.

    Doesn’t always work.

  21. Chris

    Jun 18 08, 10:41 am PDT

    21

    Sigh…more happiness is a state of mind dogma. While I am not disputing that positive thinking (and various disciplines that can help support that) can have a powerful impact on emotional well-being, there is also a measure of truth in the fact that we learn about ourselves through our experiences, and that experience can help us identify aspects of our life that are not well-aligned with our talents, passions and motivations. That experience creates the motivation for change (in relationships, jobs, geography, education level). There must always be some conflict between contentment and ambition or we would fail to grow as human beings and reach our full potential.

  22. dust4ngel

    Jun 18 08, 11:04 am PDT

    22

    it may be that selling one’s time, creativity, and freedom for money is not the road to happiness. sadness and boredom are typically not errors, diseases or conditions – they are the mind’s way of telling us that we are making a mistake. it may be that our market-driven, product-oriented, cubicle-dwelling way of life is a mistake and that the solution does not lie in simply rearranging the furniture of our minds, but in creating a society that makes people happy without self-help books.

  23. Justin Hernandez

    Jun 18 08, 11:42 am PDT

    23

    So true Tina! We live in a me centered universe. Too bad. Many people fail because they depend on outside forces to make them happy. Happiness comes from the inside.

    It bugs me that when people ask you, “What do you do now?” They are really asking what you do for work. Passion DOES come from the inside. It’s sad how many go into a job thinking they’ll love it because it makes big bucks. They’ll eventually hate it and feel empty like you stated.

    We define our work. It’s not the other way around. Thanks again Tina. :)

  24. Marelisa

    Jun 18 08, 1:02 pm PDT

    24

    I love the idea of identifying what’s right in your life and asking: “how can I get more of this?” Aim to get more of the good things you already have.

  25. Nathan

    Jun 18 08, 3:03 pm PDT

    25

    This is total bullshit. You make people feel like it is their fault their job sucks. If your job sucks and you’re unhappy you need to leave that shitznit.

    ********************
    REPLY

    What I’m introducing here is an alternative way of viewing a situation. I can’t make anyone feel anything, only the person can convince themselves that they feel a particular emotion. We have choices, except we forget that. That was the point of this article.

  26. Nathan

    Jun 18 08, 4:55 pm PDT

    26

    No! What you are introducing here, is a “how to trick yourself into being passionate about work” method. It’s like “I believe therefore I am” or .. how can I get myself to believe my work is great so that it really can be. What ends up happening is you are just deceiving your own self and then end result will probably be worst than before.

    As for your reply, “I can’t make anybody feel anything”. People CAN make each other feel certain ways. Let me slap you across the face and see how you feel about that.

  27. Joe

    Jun 18 08, 6:13 pm PDT

    27

    Although Nathan was not very diplomatic in expressing his thought, it’s true that what you are suggesting is a way to convince yourself that a bad situation isn’t that bad. I am fortunate to have spend my working life (I am now “retired”) in what I would describe as an occu-passion…and now my son has done the same thing. He discovered his passion (sports photography) at the age of 19, decided that was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life and went after it, even though he made little money in the earlier years. Now he is successful and well know in his profession…and he is having a ball…occu-passions are possible, but take perseverance.

  28. Bamboo Forest

    Jun 18 08, 8:57 pm PDT

    28

    I enjoyed this article. I can’t really add to it. But I think sometimes, acceptance is key. Accept where you are – and make the best of it. Focus your mind on the positive. And realize, life doesn’t always unfold the way we would want to – had we been writing the script. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the heck out of it!

  29. Nathan

    Jun 18 08, 10:49 pm PDT

    29

    @Bamboo Forest

    “Accept where you are – and make the best of it.”

    Why would I accept something substandard just because that’s where I am? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to remain in a shit-hole for the rest of my life. There is only so much you can do to “make the best of it” and after that wears out you’ll still be where you are and chances are you won’t accept it for long.

    “Focus your mind on the positive”

    What for?

  30. Bamboo Forest

    Jun 18 08, 11:30 pm PDT

    30

    @ Nathan: I agree, that one should improve their circumstances at every opportunity. And if you can change your job for the better, don’t hesitate and do it! My point was only a general one. That there are circumstances in life sometimes, that we may not be able to change. But we can always be in charge of our attitude.

  31. Jarrod - WarriorDevelopment

    Jun 18 08, 11:56 pm PDT

    31

    “But we can always be in charge of our attitude.”

    Very well said and an important point in all aspects of life.

  32. Raymond Chua

    Jun 19 08, 3:51 am PDT

    32

    Cool!

    I’m grateful that I’m very passionate in what I do.

    Thanks for sharing the tips. :)

  33. Tom Stine | Living from Consciousness

    Jun 19 08, 10:27 am PDT

    33

    “Passion does not exist in the job, it exists within us. Either we find it in us right where we are, or we will never find it.”

    You said it, Tina. Passion is within. No job will make us passionate. As a matter of fact, nothing will make us passionate, even in a romantic sense. We are or we aren’t. It must come from within.

    Nice post.

  34. Shira@ChangePerPost

    Jun 19 08, 4:30 pm PDT

    34

    Thank you for this inspiring article.. it has been CPP’d!

  35. Genesis Bible

    Jun 19 08, 5:08 pm PDT

    35

    this is a nice read! i believe that you need to be very passionate about what you are doing, or else you will not be where you wanta be ..

  36. Zendad

    Jun 19 08, 5:56 pm PDT

    36

    I myself am really trying to do the whole “do everything you do with passion no matter how menial the task”. I find I do a better job and take more pride in the task. I do agree that someone like me who has been doing the same job for 13 years now that finding that spark is tricky but it can be done!
    Passion IS within.
    Zendad
    http://www.zendad.net

  37. Marc and Angel Hack Life

    Jun 19 08, 8:28 pm PDT

    37

    Tina, outstanding advice. I’ve been keeping notes on the positive points of my job for a few years now. It has opened my eyes to so many positive opportunities for both me and my employer.

  38. Hari Karam Singh

    Jun 20 08, 5:58 am PDT

    38

    A very important teacher of mine once said to me when I wanted to quit my job: “You can’t leave until you have you boss’s blessing” which at the time was the farthest thing from conceivable reality. The next year was one of the most important trainings I’ve ever received in life and when I finally left, I did indeed do so with his blessing.

  39. Hendry Lee

    Jun 20 08, 7:44 am PDT

    39

    I am a firm believe in passion. Just last week I blog about the importance of passion within blogging and everything that we do.

    http://blogbuildingu.com/articles/building-blogging-business-part-1

    Like your idea about changing focus. Passion can grow if we focus on our core value and intersect it with what we do.

  40. Daniel Edlen

    Jun 20 08, 10:04 am PDT

    40

    I feel so lucky to get to do what I feel passionate about. And to be able to connect with others as a direct result of expressing that passion is amazing.

    I dreamt of being an artist as a child. Now Life feels I’m ready to actually say that I am one, a creative type with something to offer, something to help celebrate creativity and culture.

    And I find you, Tina, along the way.

    Peace.

  41. Eric Olsen

    Jun 20 08, 8:38 pm PDT

    41

    Great post! Great blog!

    It is both humbling and encouraging for me.

    Keep it up!

    Eric :)

  42. sunRises

    Jun 20 08, 10:04 pm PDT

    42

    You write beautifully and passionately. Thank you for sharing your gift.

  43. Liara Covert

    Jun 21 08, 5:44 pm PDT

    43

    Contentedness is a state of mind. As you evolve to where external forces and activities no longer effect how you think and feel, then no matter where you work or with whom, you cn choose to be happy. If, however, you aren’t happy inside yourself, then only you can figure this out, and only you can ultimately do what it takes to change it.

  44. Play Free Tetris Online

    Jun 23 08, 2:28 am PDT

    44

    So, what about the old saying, do what you love? Doesn’t hold true anymore?

  45. coolingstar9

    Jun 23 08, 11:07 am PDT

    45

    This is really interesting post. We have all components right now. Passion is a strong desire indeed. Thanks for the valuable information.
    Have a fulfilling life.
    From coolingstar9

  46. Jarrod - WarriorDevelopment

    Jun 23 08, 5:30 pm PDT

    46

    “So, what about the old saying, do what you love? Doesn’t hold true anymore?”

    The point of the article is not don’t do what you love, it is focused on creating as much passion as possible in your current situation. So for those looking to potentially change jobs (but can’t yet due to financial obligations) or just enhance their current job it is some useful advice.

    *****************************
    REPLY

    Jarrod, I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you!

    Tina

  47. Rick Butts

    Jun 23 08, 11:08 pm PDT

    47

    Wow! This is excellent – and a great discussion…

    I just posted a link to it on a post I wrote called How Much Money is Enough about a really cool story from The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss.

    Best,
    Rick Butts

  48. Tash

    Jun 24 08, 1:06 am PDT

    48

    I was just talking about this with my friend the other day.
    It’s amazing how much better your work becomes when you inject your passion into it – its pointless to do something you don’t love.

  49. Happiness

    Jun 24 08, 1:19 am PDT

    49

    Beautiful Tina!
    Keep up the good work.
    This is my first visit – I’ll be back for more…

    All the best from Thailand

  50. Vered

    Jun 24 08, 10:39 am PDT

    50

    I must say… I love my life. I tend to whine and complain, but actually when I started reading self development blogs, I realized how happy and fulfilled I really am! So I am grateful to the blogosphere for that. :)

    I am still working on letting go of perfectionism and I also need to stop comparing myself to others. So it’s still a work in progress, but generally… I’m as happy as a clam. ;)

  51. Mike Foster

    Jun 24 08, 10:15 pm PDT

    51

    Wonderful post. I am so glad that I stumbled onto your great site. I talk a lot about passion and personal accountability on my sites, and agree that we need to find it within. Not just for work, but for all things in life. Thanks for that nice post.

    peace,

    Mike

    livelife365

  52. flyer

    Jun 24 08, 11:42 pm PDT

    52

    I’ll use your tips to deal with the problem and see what happens.

    Thanks for sharing.

  53. Jef

    Jun 25 08, 5:24 am PDT

    53

    Hi, im a long time reader. Nice note and i bet this can help me with school and other things i dread.
    Just wondering, where do u get those colorful pictures you show at every post you make?

    thanks – jef

    **********************
    REPLY

    Hey Jef! I get the pictures either from a friend on flickr or I purchase them from istock photo. I include a link after each image state where I got them from, and if from flickr, I include their name as well. I love matching pictures to posts, and spent much time on it (about an hour per image). :)
    Lemme know if you have any other questions.

    Tina

  54. Suzanne

    Jun 25 08, 5:29 pm PDT

    54

    I love the very specific, proactive steps you outline in this post. I imagine that it will help me to re-focus my energies at work and in projects at home. I know that I feel a great deal of contentment when I accomplish a task, this should reinforce the focus on the positive ones and increasing the number of those in my daily life.

  55. EscRiBiTioNiSt®

    Jun 26 08, 6:17 am PDT

    55

    ‘Passion do not exist in the job, it exists within us. Either we find it in us right where we are, or we will never find it.’

    I like this quote. This is what I should read and practise to feel better about my current (boring) job.

    Thanks!

  56. Nicole

    Jun 26 08, 12:52 pm PDT

    56

    I don’t know. Sometimes changing the situation IS more important than changing the attitude.

  57. focal job

    Jun 26 08, 9:07 pm PDT

    57

    good ideas worth reading but some times u can help it if your boss is toooo bossey

  58. Eugene Williams | Power of Motivation BLOG

    Jun 28 08, 11:35 am PDT

    58

    Very informative & motivational post!

    I do agree with you that passion does not exist in the task; we have to be passionate enough to achieve the desired results.

  59. Guillaume

    Jul 18 08, 9:15 am PDT

    59

    Nice article. Thought, i think that applying such “mind discipline” may force us to satisfy ourselves with a some situations that are not objectively satisfying. “I do a cool job, i do a cool job, I do a cool job, and i persuate myself that it is a cool job”.

    You’re true when you’re saying that we see everytime the bad side of things and forget the good one, but what we really need is trying to obtain the objective vision of our situation, to my mind.

  60. DEXX

    Aug 19 08, 12:43 pm PDT

    60

    I believe there is truth to all of the comments posted on this blog. While we are conditioned by society to label certain situations and experiences good and others bad I do think it is our attitude and self dialogue that place it on a spectrum. Its bad…but its not the end or its good…but there is room for improvement. Occu-passions do exist for those with the well being to tap into that emotion in the first place. For many others and myself it is a constant struggle to remember the things that satisfy me when discontentment is easier to detect. Thank God for people like Tina to remind us.

  61. J.D. Meier

    Aug 22 08, 6:19 pm PDT

    61

    I’m a fan of making the most of whatever you do. If you play your best game, I think you get more opportunities to find the passion in what you already do.

  62. ???

    Sep 08 08, 4:31 pm PDT

    62

    ????

  63. John

    Jan 15 09, 4:45 pm PDT

    63

    I’m a graphic designer and to many I have a “dream job”. I’m always amazed when people are fascinated by what I do and it’s sometimes a reminder to realize how good I have it. However, I’m going to do this 5 step exercise because right now I really think I need it. Thanks again!

  64. Amit

    Apr 06 09, 1:55 am PDT

    64

    There is a different story on my end. I always remain too busy in my job that deadlines keep running after me like anything. At times I sit and look back– i do fins a sense of satisfaction on whatever that has happened. maybe this is the passion you talked about and I am one those who are lucky to posses that.

  65. Oleg Mokhov

    Oct 19 09, 8:14 am PDT

    65

    “Passion is the genesis of genius.” -Tony Robbins

    Hey Tina,

    Follow your passion and you won’t make wrong decisions.

    Like you mentioned, you don’t find the right job/project/movement; it finds you. Some project with the exact specifications for what you’re passionate about doesn’t exist. And even if it did, the precise activities you like to do will change, and the job will stop being perfect.

    By embracing your passion, you attract the right work to you. No, it doesn’t magically float over in your direction. Rather, you start noticing and giving yourself permission to get to work on projects that you get most excited by, not what “seems right.”

    The passion is inside you. By embracing and allowing yourself to follow it, you’ll do less boring stuff and more that excites you, that lights the fire and pumps your spirit.

    Awesome reminder on the importance of following our passion,
    Oleg

  66. Krystal

    Feb 15 10, 8:48 am PDT

    66

    I hate my job so much (think it is a total mismatch and the whole dept could just call it the ‘scam’ dept) but after reading this article, I manage to cut back on some tears. Thank you.

  67. Jean

    May 19 10, 4:59 pm PDT

    67

    I love this article because so many people seem unhappy in their career. I am actually looking for a book to reignite passion with people in their current jobs to share with my team. Either a workbook or one with good ideas I can research and share. Any ideas anyone?

  68. Ivywen

    Sep 21 11, 5:53 pm PDT

    68

    You’re true when you’re saying that we see everytime the bad side of things and forget the good one, but what we really need is trying to obtain the objective vision of our situation, to my mind.

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Trackbacks (23)

  1. Bright Side Lover - Jun 18 08
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  4. Chad’s dailies » Blog Archive » links for 2008-06-18 - Jun 18 08
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