Some Final Thoughts on Passion at Work

I believe we’ve created a good case here this month for finding passion and having it present in your work. Now the big question – how do you integrate it into your career when you work for an employer in a structured environment for a good steady paycheck, or own a business not quite doing what you love because the money’s so good doing something else?

If you’ve identified a passion like photography for instance, and work for an accounting firm, that appears to be a huge obstacle. Taking advice from The Passion Test authors, you must break that passion down (much like goals) to make them more manageable and easier to incorporate into your life right now. So you think about the different aspects of photography you most enjoy, and brainstorm ways to bring that into your work life. Offering to take photos of the next company event, for the next annual report, or even proposing a display of your work in the cafeteria to let people know what you love to do are some very viable ideas.

Eventually, you realize that photography is such a huge piece of your life that your next job must allow for its use somehow. That’s where, as they mention in the book, creating a template of your passions and laying it on top of your next decision, challenge, and opportunity comes into play. Always choose in favor of your passions.

Now what about the money? Can you make a living solely following your passion? Yes. With a realistic picture of your financial needs and a well defined action plan, not to mention patience and dedication, you can make this happen. And something funny begins to take place while you are working more and more with your passion. Money becomes less of a focus, you are intent on your passionate activity, and the money actually does start to follow without you having to constantly worry and oversee it.

I encourage you to take these ideas to heart. For most of us, our work is a major part of our lives. It doesn’t have to be the one piece that you like the least. It should be something you look forward to, are fulfilled by, and that serves your true desires.

Let me know your thoughts and experiences with integrating your passions into your work. Please post a comment!