Living Your Passion
Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of well-intended advice from friends and colleagues about my writing. I appreciate all your thoughts on the matter – thank you.
For example, someone commented that my writing should always include a list of actions. Fair enough, I have read many action-oriented blogs and newsletters. I’ve also written several action-oriented newsletters and blogs (you’re reading one of them now!). However, if I’m writing an opinion piece, how does that warrant an action list?
Someone else also pointed out that my writing is too direct and that readers are more receptive to softer language. And another individual commented that I’m entering career suicide by publicly posting opinions about issues like COVID-19 – “Who the hell wants to read your ill-informed opinions?”
One person said that I should know better than to question the government’s health measures – “it just shows how little you know about the criticality of this disease” that kills less than one percent of its victims. Well, ahem. Fair enough. Not everyone is a fan.
But listen. Here’s the thing.
For the first time in decades (perhaps, in my life), I LOVE what I’m doing.
I have this sense of freedom that is indescribable! And the funny thing is that I’m making squat in terms of money even though I’m usually spending ten or more hours editing and writing every day. Now I’m questioning if money really does make people happy!
Could I use a little more income? You bet! But is my chosen career going to break me? Not likely.
As I pondered where I am today compared to even one year ago, I reflected on how this happened.
In this blog, I want to share what worked for me to take me from “okay work” to “I can’t wait to get up in the morning and dig into work.”
I hope you can find some gems in the following ten things to help you find your passion and stop “working.”
In your twenties and thirties, try different jobs. Switch jobs often. Savour each experience.
In every job, work hard. Immerse yourself in your work. Work freaking hard!!! Learn as much as possible in each position. As you develop mastery, you will also develop passion for the work. Go from wherever you start in the organization and strive to reach two levels higher before switching employers.
Career comes first. Family is a close first. If you’ve got a nine-to-five attitude, you’ll always remain a nine-to-five kind of worker. You won’t ever find passion in your work. You will always see work as work.
Learn as much as you can about your job, about your employer, about the relevant field. Go back to school. Finish that degree—aim higher, always higher.
Don’t whine about all the work you do – job, boss, school, kids, home, community obligations – just do it; keep pushing forward.
Get help along the way. I remember studying for university exams when my children were little. There is no way that I could have spent all that time studying if my husband didn’t provide support. While I studied and wrote assignments, he took on my domestic roles.
In your forties and fifties, learn even more. Get another degree. You may have found a promising career by now, but keep learning, keep exploring. In the work that you do, what do you do that doesn’t feel like work? What could you do for hours without feeling bored or overwhelmed? What makes you feel alive? For me, I noticed that I love creating and organizing – events, documents, procedures, projects, writing – none of this “work” feels like work to me. For example, I would instead do this type of work than cook dinner.
When you feel that you found your passion, explore your passion online. Join organizations, volunteer, meet people who already work in your identified field. Drill down, keep learning, keep doing, and hone your passion.
Don’t go cold turkey. Gradually ease your way into your passion. Stop your current career over time. It would be silly to stop your regular employment income to launch into something new without a safety net (money is usually a huge consideration in career changes). Of course, this also depends on your current money situation. If you can afford to quit your full-time job to pursue something you love, then it’s a no-brainer.
Keep building your network. Don’t burn bridges – as tempting as that may be! Always treat people with respect, especially the ones that you’d rather not.
Do I have regrets over jumping from regular consulting work to writing? Some days I think that more income would be nice (I don’t think there’s anyone on the planet who can say they can’t use more money!). Then I realize that I’m in a much better place today than even a year ago – less stress, more happiness, more freedom, more time.
Hard work and mastery of every job can eventually lead to a treasure trove in hidden talent/passion. We all have at least one. It just takes a little longer to percolate to the top for some of us.
And one more thing:
Pay attention to what people say about your work – whether paid, volunteer, or another type of work – especially about work that you consider “second nature.” Work that feels like second nature is a clue to your hidden talents.
Live your passion.
