Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Passion

What is passion?

The word is used most frequently when one talks of love, or hate.  One definition would say that it is the object of an intense desire, ardent affection, or enthusiasm. 

Can you have passion in the workplace?  Most HR professionals would encourage love in the workplace to not occur, however, I would argue that in order for businesses to thrive and grow, you need to have passion.  You need to have a love of what you are doing, just not love those in the workplace as HR would frown upon that.

As a leader, it must be understood that passion for doing the job right got you to where you are today.  Does that same passion or love still exist for you in the job. 

Teachers are a great example of a profession where there are many passionate teachers when they land their first classroom position.  For some, distractions and political agendas replace a love and passion for educating young minds, with a passionate hate for coming to work.  Even the most passionate and energetic educator succumbs to the negativity at some point.  It is those teachers who are able to keep perspective about why they are in the profession that are able to make careers out of the classroom.

Office politics frequently will breed complacency and stifle the innovation and passion of individuals.  Perseverance and vision stimulates the love for the job and allows for positions to develop into careers.  It is important for individuals who lead others to always demonstrate PMA - Positive Mental Attitude.  By doing so as a leader you are rising above the politics and providing vision. 

I am passionate about the work I do.  I wake up each day excited about what the day holds.  I have a vision about how to accomplish what needs to be accomplished.  I understand that politics exist in the workplace, but I also understand that if I don't have a better solution, it is not a hill worth dying on.  Battles must be selective, because once you have become war weary, your passion for the job, turns to a passion for survival.

Some questions to think about...

Is your current position a job or a career?
Why are you in your current position?
Where are you going?
Does your organizations values align with your values?
Would you do your current job if there was no monetary incentive?

If you can answer the last question, the money question, with a "YES", I would argue that you have passion for your position.  I love what I do and understand that what I do adds value to others. 

I haven't written a post in almost 2 months, and I realize that I love writing, but it hadn't become a passion for me...yet. 

Take some time to look introspectively and create a positive direction for yourself, if you are feeling less than satisfied with where you are.

Have a great week!

5 comments:

  1. To be honest I think passion can be over rated. the reason I say this is and it applies only to be business is you need to also apply the head part of the equation. Passion is part of it but not the whole thing. Just my 2 cents worth and I do like your article.

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  2. What an interesting article. I think there are so many areas in life where people find their individual passion but only those who are truly lucky are able to do it as a career. You're right that teachers are a good example of those who need to have passion in their day-to-day job as they're not just teachers but counselors to help kids become good people. I'm still starting out as a young professional and a goal I strive to achieve is to find a position in which I feel passion each day (just not with co-workers).

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  3. I think that it helps to have a certain level of passion or at least joy. I no longer work in corporate thank goodness, but even working for myself I sometimes lose passion for what I am going. The same ole same ole everyday. When I think about what I would do instead, I haven't found anything that sparks a passion in me so I stick with what I do. I don't hate it, just have been at it a long time and sometimes want to try something different, new.

    Great article and good for you to have passion for your work,
    Jenn

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  4. I think passion helps find a purpose and lead a person to a course. I followed my passion about my artwork and blogging and am very happy. :-)

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  5. I'm not sure what I would do if I did not need to get paid. Part of my passion about my work is I love that I get paid to do what I find fun. I could say I would draw, but I draw anyway. I like connecting with my clients, but I don't like when a client doesn't like to pay.

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