Sunday, August 19, 2012

Discovering – then following your passion ...


Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius

Over the past few months, through our travels and visits to local farmers markets and local shops, we have met a number of  local providers of goods and services who  make our lives better in some way. Many are in the business of farming – providing specialty crops that we all enjoy and long to savor in the summer and fall.  I have talked to many of these folks in my journeys and am struck by one thing:

The passion they have for what they do …

Farming isn’t easy at all. The hours can be endless, the business challenges (keeping cash flow alive) and throw in the unpredictable factor – the weather – and it makes for a very difficult business and living. Some of those in this business hardly make a dime, and struggle to make ends meet. But they go one, with a smile, as they are living their passion. They were willing and often anxious to adjust their lifestyle to do work they are passionate about.  And even with all the challenges,  they could not see themselves doing anything different. 

Having passion for what you do defines the difference between just having a job – or loving your job. Those who are passionate about what they do are energized and motivated each and every day and look forward to work in whatever manner they work (in a job, their own business, etc.). Their passion fuels their desire to be the best – the very best – and do good work. 

Are you following your passion? If not, it is time …

You have likely heard the quote above:  Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” (Confucius). It is so very true. Unfortunately most do not follow this path, and toil in a job, career or business they just don’t like or are not motivated by. This discontent affects all parts of their life, their significant other, spouse, friends, other family, and is so damaging.  They cannot see how to get out of the cycle which really means – 

They have not  given themselves permission to make the changes in their life required to follow their passion.

Sound like your situation or the situation of someone near and dear to you? What can you do?

  • Identify and validate your true passion – Maybe you love to cook, or like to help others or perhaps to build things or grow things. Answer the question – I am passionate about (enter passion here) and I know there is a need or opportunity that I can identify with that is aligned to my passion.
  • Take me for example. I am passionate about helping people break the conventional bonds of career or job and ascent to new heights in their life. I know there is a need (I have a very successful practice in this business) and what I do is aligned to my passion. I don’t work every day; I serve others everyday and love it. 
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  • Identify the changes you will need to make in your life to follow your passion –Perhaps being able to follow your passion may mean to downsize to meet a new set of requirements, or start a business aligned with your passion while still employed (which equals working harder). The key – uncover all the potential changes and plan for they with the goal of eliminating the unexpected. 
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  • Give yourself permission to be happy and fulfilled – As I have stated, the hardest step. Allowing yourself to let go of what is expected of you by others, and taking control and defining your life as you want it to be. Once you give yourself permission – and write it down – you remove the shackles. 
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Live your passion. Soar to new heights. Be one that is happy and fulfilled. Live life, and thank you for reading this. – Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act:
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Corporate Management Services
Celebrating 24 years providing career& corporate management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-641-8968
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dmoran@next-act.com
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1 comment:

  1. Pretty interesting blog. I glad o read this great information about career. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete