Work and Passion

There are lots of books,  articles and experts who are constantly promoting the concept that work needs to arise from your passion. And somehow the unspoken message is, that if you are not working in your passion you are failing. No, they never say that, it’s just implied. So, here’s another point of view: work and passion may not be mutually inclusive.

Work is often something we do to earn money. We use the money to provide a home, food and other necessities. If we are lucky, there is some money left over for play. We may do a good job, possibly get promotions and work may not be what makes our heart sing. That may be something else in our lives.

My sister in law, Jan, works in a mill. It is a reasonably well paying job and it is not her passion. Jan has children, grandchildren and is married to my brother. A year of so ago, she took a course in wildlife photography and has never looked back. It is her passion and you can tell she loves it, including the sitting and waiting and waiting, for the perfect shot. I think this one is pretty wonderful.

In the 1980’s there was book out titled “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow”  The author was clear that it could take quite some time for the money to follow. And if you have a mortgage and children it just may not be feasible to wait for that money.

Sometimes a job is just a job. And if it is your passion and you have to leave it or retire, then what? My passion is change. Change for improvement and growth. I love the coaching aspect of my work, as I get to see people make and keep their desired changes. Now the downside to that is I also have to market myself, and that is not my passion – still if I want to pay those bills I need to do it. So sometimes passion has other pieces to it.

I guess at the end of the day the important thing is to have something in your life that outside of work, family and friends gives you joy.

PS If you would like to see more of Jan’s work she is on Facebook at Janet Brown Photography