4 Thoughts on Being Passionate About Work

By Gina Brelesky

job, jobs, career

I have been reading a lot about passion lately. Most having to do with being passionate about the work that one does.

Well, in order to know if we are passionate about our work, I think we first need to understand the meaning of passion.

There have been a number of definitions of passion presented over time but here are four with my thoughts:

1 ~ Curt Rosengren defines passion as "the energy that comes from bringing more of you into what you do." He explains that when we do what comes naturally to us, we get energy from doing it. I think this is a great point. Think about doing something that you did not believe in - it would sap your energy; leaving you feeling like "I hate my job!" Rosengren uses the analogy of water flowing along its natural riverbed: it gains energy from the path it is taking. Great analogy.

2 ~ "Passion is a partner of purpose and performance." Interesting concept. Leanne Hoagland-Smith presented that passion is the present; it's the emotions people see in us. She explains that purpose is our "true north" and that passion helps us get there. Performance, the 3rd partner, is what we have done in the past as well as our current behaviors. Passion keeps our behaviors in check and focused on our goal.

3 ~ In the article "What is Passion" on articlebase.com it is explained that "for most people, the word passion refers to that something which they can do with utmost fondness, that something which awakens their inner desires to go beyond typical. Passion for some is that something which they truly love with supreme sincerity, that something which allows them to wake up in the morning with something to look forward to, and above all, that something which gives them genuine happiness in their lives." Now this is a lot to swallow when it comes to one's work. Hey I believe in liking what you do but this goes a bit beyond that for me.

4 ~ The dictionary defines passion as "an emotional response to a situation or a person. Passion has an energy that's observable and transferable and cannot be faked." Now this makes perfect sense - if you love what you do it shows. People will feel your energy and gravitate to you!

"With out passion you don't have energy, with out energy you have nothing."
- Donald Trump