Directors and actors have asked this question to help define the emotion of the character. I am using this question to drive productivity and happiness.
So, really, what is your motivation? What is your purpose? What is it you love doing? Once you can pinpoint this, you are on your way.
I met with a woman last week who is interested in leaving her marketing job. We talked about her situation and why she wanted to leave. She had some ideas she thought would be of interest so we discussed them. Then, she mentioned a side project. THIS WAS HER PASSION. I could tell and she could too. This is what got her out of bed in the morning. This was what really excited her and motivated her. Within a day of meeting with her, she’s been actively reaching out to others to build contacts. (Oh, by the way, she says she isn’t very good at networking! LOL).
Do I need to say more?
Now is the time to figure out what your motivation is. Money is nice. It pays the bills. But I can pretty much guarantee if you are only in it for the money, you will be out on the streets looking for a new job sooner than you expect. You owe it to yourself to at least explore the motivational avenue. You’ve got nothing to lose!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When I read your post, I was reminded that I was still searching for my true calling.
Best of luck to the acquaintance you mentioned; I hope she finds a way to turn her passion into a living. I hope that everyone does.
Hi Jake:
Knowing what you love to do is a great feeling! Sometimes it feels like I am playing the games I played as a kid, the kind when I was blindfolded…”You are getting warmer. warmer. Oh, you are getting colder” or Marco Polo when you can only hear where the voices are coming from. Searching for our true calling can be tough and sometimes it takes a lifetime! The experience is in the journey! Hey, thanks for stopping by! Thanks for reading too!
Rich DeMatteo on Corn on the Job had a previous post and interesting conversation about passion and motivation as it relates to a career. In it, he took the stance that work doesn’t have to be the passion, but that a person could have a fulfilled life if there is passion in other areas (e.g. an after-work hobby).
I can understand that point of view, but I think that it varies from person to person. Some people are better equipped to go to work and do their job well despite having no affinity for it. Others — not so much.
Melissa:
I love Rich’s work and opinions!
There another point to be made for pursing passion. Regularly job seekers ask what they can do to differentiate themselves, right? If you interviewed two candidates equal in skill, one was lackadaisical and the other oozed enthusiasm, who would you hire?
I think employers are disenchanted by folks just “looking for a job”. I believe they want to hire someone who wants to make a difference, at least sometimes.
Thanks again!
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