A fan questioned Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” on why he said that “follow your passion” was the worst advice he’d ever received. A snippet of Rowe’s response follows:
“… I would never advise anyone to ‘follow their passion’ until I understand who they are, what they want, and why they want it. Even then, I’d be cautious. Passion is too important to be without, but too fickle to be guided by. Which is why I’m more inclined to say, ‘Don’t Follow Your Passion, But Always Bring it With You.'”
The distinction between “bringing” versus “following” your passion is striking. Some long-term careerists feel the “passion” ship has sailed. Other early careerists may be unclear how to convert passion into paying their bills. So, following something as nebulous as “passion” can be daunting and perhaps, if followed blindly, even damaging to your career and financial future.
However, conveying passion in whatever job you are doing can be cultivating, at any stage of your career, and even, may lead you to achieve your eventual passion goals.
Following are three things you can start doing today to bring passion with you to work:
1. Impassion your conversations.
Whether connecting with the colleague cubicled next to you, having a tête-à-tête with your supervisor, or dialing up your customer, bring it! Sit up straight, curl up the corners of your lips (even if you have to initially ‘fake it’), take a deep breath and exude a positive tone and energy, including voice inflection and personality!
It is amazing what one energized vibe being transported over the airwaves to another person, whose mood may need the jumpstart, can do to generate a rolling energy burst! And remember the adage, what you give, you get? While you may initially feel disingenuous in your positivity, a sudden shift likely will occur as the energy you pushed out surges back into your sphere, back to you!
To read 2 more steps to bring your passion to work, visit: “3 Steps to Bring Passion With You to Work.”
Jacqui,
Just reading this post has given me a lift, thereby demonstrating the importance of immersing oneself in things that make one’s heart sing. (Your writing does that for me.)
By honing the habits you have outlined in this post, one can fine-tune their emotions and play a passionate tune – one that is invigorating for all who hear it.
Your readers may be interested in this study about how positive and negative words impact one’s gait (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/fitness/feeling-blue-how-you-walk-may-hold-the-key-to-being-happy/article21202988/). Extrapolating from the research, that fake-it-til-you-make-it smile that you wrote about does make a difference.
Thanks for another powerful post!
Marianna,
The study you shared further reinforced for me the power of body language on our mood – on tempering stress. Even a simple act of smiling can elevate our attitude.
GREAT share; thank you!
As well, I appreciate your response to my post (and to my writing) – your words are like an injection of feel-good hormones into my blog. I am beaming.
Merci and multiple thank-yous for your always enhancing words and insights.
Jacqui