6 REASONS WHY YOU NEED PASSION AT WORK
You’ve probably heard the famous quote from Steve Jobs,
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do”.
When we were children, parents asked us the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”
When we were in education, teachers asked us, “what’s your dream job?”
And now we’re in the working world we’re constantly asking ourselves, “what do I really want to do?”
A huge part of finding fulfilment in life is about finding fulfilment at work. We spend so much time at work, around 232 days a year to be precise. So, it’s no surprise that people want to be passionate about their jobs and not dread Mondays.
Let’s be real, you won’t love every job you have and that’s okay. Each job will teach you new skills, and new mindsets and all contribute to where you see yourself going. And, news flash, finding a job you're passionate about, doesn’t mean it's your dream job.
But what if you struggle to see yourself ever getting a role you’re passionate about?
We’ve all been there and it can be extremely easy to settle and stay in a place that isn’t benefitting you and your career. But passion is so important. Working somewhere you enjoy is important. Finding a job that you get excited about, a company you feel proud to work for, and colleagues you enjoy seeing in the morning is something that I believe everyone deserves.
So here are 6 reasons why passion is key at work (and how you can still thrive wherever you are now).
1. YOU’RE PRODUCTIVE
Constant procrastination and stress about the thought of tackling a task aren’t issues anyone wants at work.
Productivity is usually something talked about from the angle that it benefits an employer, but it certainly benefits the employee too. Countless studies support the idea that productive employees are happier and more satisfied in their jobs. When we accomplish something productive, our brains release feel-good chemicals as a reward, which makes us feel satisfied and happy (Reclaim AI).
But if you’re in a role where you find it hard to achieve tasks and stay on the ball, those feel-good chemicals might be few and far between.
Of course, you should be doing your job regardless of if you love it or not, but there’s something great about being excited to work on projects because we find them interesting and we want to constantly develop our skills and knowledge.
2. YOU’RE AMBITIOUS
If you’re ambitious – you’ll be ambitious regardless of what situation or job you’re in, but it’s no secret that if you’re in a role that doesn’t inspire you, it can be difficult to conjure up the ambition necessary to not just get the job done, but get it done well.
Passion is described as “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire” (Dictionary.com). Passion gives you the constant desire to keep progressing, whether that’s through promotions, exciting opportunities, or just developing your skills and knowledge to become an expert in your field.
Ambition is key to any career because it encourages you to look forward, and push through difficult seasons, all because you have a true passion for what you’re doing.
3. YOU’RE CREATIVE
Creativity is often overlooked, especially in a business setting. But in fact, creativity is crucial for:
Your ability to make true change in your company
Your overall sense of purpose
Passion is all about a human’s desire to feel like they’re doing what they enjoy and that they’re making the most of what they’re good at. Creativity is a key part of that.
You may be in a sector that doesn’t feel creative. In sales, for instance, you’re not sitting painting or writing novels, but you are brainstorming new strategies, adapting your approaches depending on who you speak to, and you’re constantly coming up with new ways to innovatively sell a product/ service. That sounds pretty creative to me.
Doing a job you’re passionate about will naturally enhance your creative process – meaning you’ll probably come up with better ideas. Ideas that don’t just help you, but help other people around you.
4. YOU’RE A GREAT TEAM MEMBER
You’re probably already a great person to be around, but when you’re doing a job that is personally fulfilling, you’re going to spread that positive energy to everyone around you.
You’ll probably be more inclined to support and encourage your colleagues, and your boss will probably find you a pleasure to be around. Why? Because it’s obvious you’re enjoying the work, you’re motivated, and you’re always willing to help.
5. YOU’RE RESILIENT
Every job has tough moments, tasks you find boring, and days where you don’t feel 100%. But when you have passion, you’re far more inclined to work through the tough times because you know what you’re already achieving, and how you want to continue achieving.
6. YOU’RE HAPPIER
This is the most important. Mental health at work is crucial and if you believe your lack of passion is contributing to you feeling down, it might be time to rethink.
Pursuing your passion both lowers stress and contributes to greater happiness overall (The New York Times)
Finding a job you love doesn’t mean it has to be extraordinary. It doesn’t always mean you’ve dreamt about this role since you were a child, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to feel like you want to be there forever. But what really matters is the company culture, if you feel supported, and you feel like you can work towards something that you’re interested in.
PASSION NOW WILL HELP WITH PASSION LATER
You may be in a role that isn’t exactly what you’d like to be doing but making the most of what you have now will help you to stay positive. You can still find ways to be:
Productive
Ambitious
Creative,
A great team member
Resilient
Happy
Maybe not all of them will be possible AT work, but finding things outside of work that you enjoy can make a huge difference.
Passion isn’t just about what you do between the hours of 9-5, it’s about what you love doing regardless of what job you have. And doing what you’re passionate about and learning new things will help you adopt an incredible mindset for that job you love in the future.
- Written by Tim Macmillan
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