Follow Your Passion & Make it Happen
Question: I am not engaged in the work I do, in fact I hate it and can barely stomach the ride into work. I do it to help pay my bills and suppose I should be thankful to even have a job in this dismal economy, but I am miserable. I struggle each day because my heart just isn’t it. What advice do you have for me do I just stick it out? I know I want to do something else but I have no idea what that is yet. ~ Stacey T.
Dear Stacey,
Ah the age old question. Well, a friend of mine Joanne just introduced me to the concept of “heart based” organizations. I guess I always knew what they were but never had a name to the concept. Heart based organizations are those companies who simply “do good consciously” whether through philanthropy, fund raising, socio, economical, geological, political, medical, emotional, or environmental, etc.
The word embraces companies that have a clear delegation that is devoid of hypocrisy or pretense. The “do good” businesses are honest, humble, hearty, natural, real and sincere. Their good works are something that we can attach ourselves to and feel like we are making a difference. If you are looking for something to give you profound significance and ways to give back to your community; I suggest you volunteer whether that is through community activity, church groups or supporting non-profits. Getting involved and making a difference is the key to exposing the fervor deep inside you that has been buried under menial every day corporate inertia.
I have always pontificated to my readers, find what you love to do and then figure out a way to make money at it. You need to find a way to be engaged from your heartstrings. Employee Engagement is a business management concept that measures the degree of an employee’s positive or negative emotional attachment to their job. This engagement level profoundly influences their willingness to perform on the job.
Let’s face it; if you aren’t “emotionally attached and personally vested” in the work you do on a daily basis then you are essentially checked out, your productivity and workplace relationships suffer because you just don’t care. On the other hand, those who are highly engaged in the work they perform are more vested in their individual performance and the overall success of the company and are therefore willing to put it that discretionary effort to create high performing services, products and relationships to further breed the success of the company they serve.
Motivational speaker and author Shawn Doyle tells us, “To try to pursue the very things that you are passionate about that is the difference between good and great.” For instance if you love gardening or event planning or finances or helping people solve problems, working with the elderly, children’s missions or spiritual aspirations then take the time to explore these options and expose yourself to ways in which you can make money from these heart felt missions.
If you are having trouble finding your passion, then volunteering is a good place to start. Locally, try Volunteer Connect at volunteerconnectnow.org. Their mission is to connect volunteers and employer groups with service projects and worthy causes throughout the Central Oregon area. I guarantee this experience will be meaningful in ways I can’t explain until you put yourself in the situation to serve a cause, which is authentically evocative to you.
Stacey, the bottom line is you need to be “emotionally” attached to the work you do in order to make a difference and to truly find joy in your job. I challenge you to explore what your passion is and go after that with unwavering pursuit.
Julie Leutschaft, MPA, MHA is the owner of The Human Touch, LLC – Human Resources Consulting and Career Coaching Firm. Visit us at our website at www.thehumantouchHR.com.
