Work Your Passion? Not So Fast: Why Work Shouldn't Be Your Sole Purpose
by Betsaida LeBron
Photo by Jernej Graj for Unsplash
“Remember, your fire is for you, not for anyone else.”
Have you ever heard the phrase "work your passion" or "live your purpose" thrown around in the workplace? I bet you have. It's a common message in leadership circles, and it's meant to inspire us to bring our all to our jobs. And while I agree that our passions and purpose can ignite a fire within us, I don't fully agree with the idea that work should be the recipient of this fire.
When we give our fire to work, we're giving it away. And there's a danger in that, especially at work. Work is not a person, it's an entity. It doesn't have feelings or emotions, and it doesn't care about us as individuals. It cares about the bottom line, the profit margins, the productivity. And while those things are important, they shouldn't be the sole recipients of our fire.
When we give our fire to work, we're also giving away a piece of ourselves. We're giving away our energy, our passion, our creativity. And while it's important to be passionate about our jobs, it's also important to remember that we are more than our jobs. You have so many amazing interests, passions, and talents that make you how you are.
So, what should we do instead? Try these three things.
Direct your fire to yourself first!
You know that feeling when you meet someone new and they ask you to describe yourself? It can be a bit daunting, right? We tend to default to what we do for a living. But we're so much more than what we do. In fact, what a person does is often the least interesting thing about them.
I don't know about you, but I can easily get caught up in work and feel like it's the most important thing in my life. But here’s the truth: there's so much more to us than just our jobs.
I love the idea of pursuing our passions and purpose outside of work. When we take care of ourselves and do things that make us happy, we're able to show up at work as our best selves. We're more creative, more focused, and more productive.
It's like that old saying, You can't pour from an empty cup. When we prioritize our own needs and wellbeing we're better able to show up for others and for the things that matter most to us.
The challenge: Focus your fire on yourself. Ask yourself what are your passions and purpose outside of work? What makes you happy? Likely it’s an activity where you lose track of time and feel lighter or happier after doing it. Think back to what you did for fun as a kid. Maybe it's hiking, reading, singing, drawing, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, I encourage you to make time for it. Pursue it with everything you've got. And then bring that energy back into the workplace and other aspects of your life.
Do less, better.
It's easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to everything. After all, we want to be helpful, we want to be seen as capable, and we want to make a difference. Saying yes to everything is not sustainable.
Imagine that your to-do list is like a brunch buffet. You know how it is: when you see all of the tasty dishes, you want to pile everything on your plate. But if you do that, things start to spill off, the flavors mix in a weird way, and you might even make yourself sick.
So, instead of going crazy with your to-do list, choose a few items that you really want to start with. Savor those items, enjoy the process, and do them well. If you're still hungry for more, you can always add something else later.
The same thing goes for our to-do lists. We tend to put every task and obligation on the list, but that just creates an overwhelming mess that's impossible to tackle. Instead, pick out the most important tasks that you know you can do well. You'll still be productive, but you won't feel stressed out.
Remember, you don't have to do everything on your list. Choose the things that matter most to you, and do them well. That way, you can feel good about your accomplishments without feeling like you're drowning in a sea of tasks.
Of course, this is easier said than done. It can be hard to say no to things, especially if we feel like we're letting someone down. But saying no is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. It's a way of acknowledging our own limits and honoring our own needs. And when we do that, we're better able to show up as our best selves in the things that we do say yes to.
The challenge: Try doing less, better. Take a step back and evaluate your plate. What are the things that you're currently juggling? Are they all necessary? Are they all things that you can powerfully deliver? If not, it's time to start saying no. It's time to start prioritizing. Choose the tasks that have the biggest impact and shelf the rest. And when you do that, you'll not only feel more fulfilled, but you'll also be able to show up as your best self in the things that make you say, “Yes.”
Keep work in perspective.
It's easy to get caught up in work and feel like it's the most important thing in our lives, but work is just one part of who we are. We have a wide range of interests, passions, and talents that make us unique and special. When we give too much of ourselves to work, we start to lose those things that make us who we are. We start to feel burnt out, drained, and unfulfilled. That's why it's so important to put work into perspective and remember that it's not everything.
It's also important to remember that companies will always prioritize the bottom line over individual needs. Ultimately we decide how much of our lives is about work. It's up to us to set boundaries, say no to things that don't serve us, and make time for the things that make us happy. When we prioritize our own needs and wellbeing, we're better able to show up at work as our best selves. We're more creative, more focused, and more productive.
That's not to say that work isn't important. It definitely is. But it's all about finding balance. We need to find ways to bring ourselves to work, without giving ourselves away. By setting boundaries and taking care of our needs, we can show up in all aspects of our lives as our best selves.
The challenge: Keep work in perspective. When you're feeling overwhelmed with work, take a step back and remember that work is just one part of who you are. Make time for the things that make you happy and fulfilled and don't be afraid to set boundaries and say no to things that don't serve you. When you prioritize your own needs and wellbeing, you'll be better able to show up at work as your best self, both at work and in life.
So, the next time you feel you need to give more of yourself at work, think about where you're directing your fire. Is it towards work, or towards yourself? Are you giving away a piece of yourself, or are you prioritizing your own needs and passions? Remember, your fire is for you, not for anyone else. And when you direct it towards yourself, you'll not only feel more fulfilled, but you'll also bring your best self to the workplace.
At the end of the day, work is just one part of who we are. It's important, sure, but it's not everything. We're complex beings with a wide range of interests, passions, and talents. So let's embrace that complexity and bring our whole selves to every aspect of our lives, including work.