Have you ever been in a spot where your life lacked passion? Especially where it comes to your job? If you answered “Yes”, you are not alone. According to a recent gallop poll, 71% of workers in North America either disliked their job or they felt disengaged from their jobs. Why has this happened? The short answer is that most people have lost passion for their job. They generally show up at work, but only go through the motions of their job as in a zombie-like state. If this is true for you, how do you find your passion again? The best way to find your passion is to work with a professional, such as a career counselor, or career coach. But if this is not an option, I have a couple suggestions to help you find your passion again. But this is only the first step, as once you identify your passions, you need to find a way to engage with your passions. In short, your passion needs to meld with the practical.
As a career coach, one important thing I do for my clients is to help them find the job, and career that truly makes them happy. Working with a professional is the best way for clients to discover, and codify those tasks, and jobs that make them happy. Working with a career coach, or another professional does take commitment, time, energy, and money. If this is not an option, I have a couple simple exercises you can do to help identify your passions.
List Projects you Enjoyed: The first exercise is to sit down with a paper, and pen, or your favorite electronic device (laptop, tablet) and list out the projects you enjoyed the most over the last ten years. These projects might be from past jobs, or even life experiences. Once you have listed out ten or more projects – consider what it is about each project that you enjoyed the most. Across from each project you listed, capture the specific pieces you enjoyed the most about each project. Most likely as you review the list you will find patterns, or items that repeat. These are clues that tell you about your passions. The last step is to consider if these are passions you can currently pursue in your present job. If the answer is “no” you have a gap, and you might need to consider a change to get your passion back into your life.
Hobbies and Pursuits: The next exercise is to again sit down with paper, pen or electronic device, and list out your hobbies. What things do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I am considering “hobbies” loosely here, and they may be considered pursuits as well, such as learning a foreign language, or finishing a college degree. Once you have five to ten items list, ask yourself what it is about the hobby/pursuit that enjoy most. Across from each hobby/pursuit you listed, capture the things that you enjoy most about each item. Again, this exercise will give you clues to what you are passionate about. As in the first exercise, consider if you can build these passions into your current job. If not, it might be worth looking at a change.
If you have gone through these exercises, or similar ones, you probably have some general ideas about what your passions are. If you are fortunate, you can build these passions into your current job, but if not, there is a second part to this process. You need to think creatively, and consider how, in what occupation, you can pursue your passions. You need to find a way where your pursuit of passions, can be practical. For example, if one of your passions is around introducing yourself, and meeting new people – your career might need to include some networking. Or if you are passionate about different ethnic groups, and cultures – your dream job might be in the area of community outreach, or community service. It all depends what your true passions are, and your creativity to find a way to satisfy your passions in a real-world occupation. Again, a career professional can provide great value here.
At the time of this writing, the economy is booming. If you find a gap between your passion, and the job you are working, this is a great time to consider a change. But before you bolt, take some time to get to know your passions – it is important to identify them, and write them down. Next consider if there is a way to bring your passions into your current job. In some cases, you might be able to re-structure your job to fill some, or most of your passions. If not, you need to be creative, and consider how you might be able to exercise your passions in a real-world job. If working with a career professional is not an option, get your friends involved. Talk about your passions, and tell them what you are trying to achieve. You don’t need to solve this puzzle alone, and most people will try to offer suggestions once they understand what your goal is. If you are successful, you will marry your passions with your career, and you will be able to re-engage with your work, and celebrate the passion for your work again.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA. CPC is a professional Career Coach, and Business Mentor. For more information see AscendProCoach.com
As a career coach, one important thing I do for my clients is to help them find the job, and career that truly makes them happy. Working with a professional is the best way for clients to discover, and codify those tasks, and jobs that make them happy. Working with a career coach, or another professional does take commitment, time, energy, and money. If this is not an option, I have a couple simple exercises you can do to help identify your passions.
List Projects you Enjoyed: The first exercise is to sit down with a paper, and pen, or your favorite electronic device (laptop, tablet) and list out the projects you enjoyed the most over the last ten years. These projects might be from past jobs, or even life experiences. Once you have listed out ten or more projects – consider what it is about each project that you enjoyed the most. Across from each project you listed, capture the specific pieces you enjoyed the most about each project. Most likely as you review the list you will find patterns, or items that repeat. These are clues that tell you about your passions. The last step is to consider if these are passions you can currently pursue in your present job. If the answer is “no” you have a gap, and you might need to consider a change to get your passion back into your life.
Hobbies and Pursuits: The next exercise is to again sit down with paper, pen or electronic device, and list out your hobbies. What things do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I am considering “hobbies” loosely here, and they may be considered pursuits as well, such as learning a foreign language, or finishing a college degree. Once you have five to ten items list, ask yourself what it is about the hobby/pursuit that enjoy most. Across from each hobby/pursuit you listed, capture the things that you enjoy most about each item. Again, this exercise will give you clues to what you are passionate about. As in the first exercise, consider if you can build these passions into your current job. If not, it might be worth looking at a change.
If you have gone through these exercises, or similar ones, you probably have some general ideas about what your passions are. If you are fortunate, you can build these passions into your current job, but if not, there is a second part to this process. You need to think creatively, and consider how, in what occupation, you can pursue your passions. You need to find a way where your pursuit of passions, can be practical. For example, if one of your passions is around introducing yourself, and meeting new people – your career might need to include some networking. Or if you are passionate about different ethnic groups, and cultures – your dream job might be in the area of community outreach, or community service. It all depends what your true passions are, and your creativity to find a way to satisfy your passions in a real-world occupation. Again, a career professional can provide great value here.
At the time of this writing, the economy is booming. If you find a gap between your passion, and the job you are working, this is a great time to consider a change. But before you bolt, take some time to get to know your passions – it is important to identify them, and write them down. Next consider if there is a way to bring your passions into your current job. In some cases, you might be able to re-structure your job to fill some, or most of your passions. If not, you need to be creative, and consider how you might be able to exercise your passions in a real-world job. If working with a career professional is not an option, get your friends involved. Talk about your passions, and tell them what you are trying to achieve. You don’t need to solve this puzzle alone, and most people will try to offer suggestions once they understand what your goal is. If you are successful, you will marry your passions with your career, and you will be able to re-engage with your work, and celebrate the passion for your work again.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA. CPC is a professional Career Coach, and Business Mentor. For more information see AscendProCoach.com
RSS Feed