westXdesign

Productivity, Leadership, & Technology
  • Home
  • Main Posts
  • Shared News
  • About westXdesign
08 Jan
happy with work

Why Some Love Their Work

Some people get up each day looking forward to their work while others dread each day. Not that they don’t have days they’d rather be doing something else rather than the work before them, but they generally enjoy what they do each day. What makes them different? Psychology Today gives 10 simple reasons for it.

happy with work

from 10 Reasons Why Some People Love What They Do:

1. They seldom feel disconnected from the challenge that first engaged their interest.

Though their career paths may have swerved here and there, they’ve remained connected to the initial challenge—that all important motivating “juice”—that compelled them toward their field. Sure, at times it’s harder to focus, because all of us wade into murky waters now and again, … But people who love what they do never fully lose sight of the challenge and the sense of purpose that drives them; they fight their way back toward it no matter how murky things get because it’s the very thing that gets them up in the morning.


People who love what they do never lose sight of the purpose that drives them

[tweet this quote]


2. They’re remarkably well-attuned to the “early years.”

People who genuinely love their jobs … are in touch with that kid who loved to write, or tell stories, or envision amazing buildings. The important part: what these people are doing in their jobs now may not be (and usually is not) a carbon copy of those passions, but they’ve successfully integrated elements of those passions into what they do. In effect, they’re energized kids with the seasoned perspective of adults – and that’s a great place to be.

3. They are “portfolio” thinkers.

When we speak of stock portfolios, we’re talking about something that is neither consistently good nor bad; it’s a mixture of ups and downs. A down cycle doesn’t kill the portfolio—though it may weaken it for a time. And an up cycle doesn’t make the portfolio a permanent success—though it may get it a bit closer to that goal. The point is, portfolio thinkers know that their careers will always combine positives and negatives. The crucial thing is, they don’t choke on the negatives and they don’t get too high on the positives. They ride the wave of both and by doing so they navigate their way closer and closer to what they want. If you want to love what you do, that sort of balanced, even-keel perspective isn’t optional.

4. They don’t care what you think.

… people who genuinely love what they do don’t allow others to talk them out of it. …Those of us who make it through those impasses, guarded by naysayers aplenty, are much more likely to love what they do than those talked into a contrived conventionality. But, the good news is, even if we took bad advice back then, there are still opportunities afterward to get back to what fuels our passions. It won’t come easy, but precious little worth having ever does. To put a psychological bead on this observation: people who love what they do are self-actualized in the best sense of the term.

5. They are born succession planners.

..some corporate-isms are quite important, and “succession planning” is one of them. It simply means that for every person deeply synced into his or her position, there’s another person in training to do that job when the time comes. And the time always comes eventually, because things change all the time; that’s the one constant we can all be sure of.

People who love their jobs not only know this, they embrace it wholeheartedly and actively look for others to share their passions with, in hopes that they’ll want to do that job one day as well. These folks aren’t doing this because the company handbook tells them to – they do it because they love what they do, and that passion compels them to share their knowledge and acumen with others. And if the would-be successor isn’t passionate about that position, people who love what they do take pains to help them figure out what position will fuel their motivation – because success is unabashedly addicted to creating success.

6. They will stay…but just know, they’ll also leave.

Why will they leave? Because for people who love what they do, organizations are important–since they provide the infrastructure to do that which fuels their fire–but no single organization has a monopoly on providing that fuel, and if a company … ceases to provide an adequate venue for doing what they love to do, then it’s time to move on. … A full commitment to doing that which one loves is among the most personal parts of one’s life. Passion always supersedes the functionality of infrastructure and organization, and that’s part of what makes it such an essential part of who we are.

7. They won’t be stopped.

I have lost count, seriously, of how many managers I’ve watched try to talk a passionate person out of pursuing a path toward the thing that fulfills them. The manager has a plan, and this person needs to fill a prescribed role in that plan, period. But for a passion-driven person who loves what they do—or is trying to connect up with what they love to do—that plan will receive their deference for only as long as it takes them to navigate around it. To put that another way, when a manager says, in so many words, “this is your role in my plan, and failure to fill it will have negative consequences,” the smart person usually obliges, at least temporarily. But the passion-drive person bent on doing what they love is already figuring out how to blow the walls off that plan and move on. You can’t hold them back. Just try it and see what happens.


Passion-fueled tenacity will win in the end, even if it means taking some hard knocks in the short run.

[tweet this quote]


8. They draw people to them without even trying.

People want to be around people who are passionate about what they do because it’s an infectious feeling. So, let’s take the hypothetical person who loves what they do–and they exude passion about how connected they are with the challenges of their day—and place them among a group of people far less directed, far less passionate, and frankly a little confused about why what they do means anything at all.

Some of those people are probably so jaded that nothing is going to change their perspective, but some of the others are going to take notice. And when they get a taste, they’ll want a bigger taste – and pretty soon, even if they aren’t exactly sure why—they’ll start feeling a strange, uplifting sensation about coming to work. That’s the infection of passion, and if you’ve ever worked somewhere without at least a little bit of it to go around, you already know how vapid and miserable the days seem.

9. They live in the now.

People who love what they do are not short-sighted thinkers, but they’re also not going to wait around too long to see if “the pieces come together”. Sure, they’ll give it some time – of anyone, they know it takes time to pursue one’s vision of fulfillment. Nothing just happens without work and time, and more work. But if you think you’re going to convince a genuinely passionate person that an array of external forces must align before they can act, you’re wasting your time. The “now” for someone who loves what they do is precious, because it can disappear in a heartbeat. And that, as it turns out, is one of the most important lessons they pass along to the rest of us.

10. They never, ever limit their vision to serve the interests of petty competition.

…highly effective people don’t see the “pie” as having a limited number of pieces. Instead, they see a pie with pieces enough for everyone, and it doesn’t bother them to watch others get their slice. While we cannot escape the fact that we live in a competitive culture—or that we are a competitive species, just like every other species on this planet—there’s quite a difference between healthy embodiment of competition, and petty pursuit of selfish ends. People who love what they do are competitive. They wouldn’t be able to reach their goals if they weren’t. But they don’t invest their time and energy in scheming and undermining; they don’t try to deny the other guy his piece of pie just because that means there’s one less to consume. Loving what you do—no matter how competitive you have to be to attain your goals—does not require stepping on others to get there.

 

 

 

via 10 Reasons Why Some People Love What They Do .

photo credit: Victor1558

[ad]

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Google
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...
Main
← Toss That Schedule To Get Results
Wallpaper Wednesday – Busy →

Comments

  1. Caroline says:
    February 4, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Excellent article and really accurate. People like this are easy to spot and good to be around. I especially liked point Number 10 about competition. Unhappiness and fear creates an aura of arrogance, whereas someone happy in their own skin and place in life is engaging, motivating and happy to share information. Great tip there for anyone in a management role.

    Reply
  2. denise jones says:
    January 26, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    What a great article! I’ve learned quite a lot from reading it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 26, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      thank you Denise!! 😀

      Reply
  3. Chantal says:
    January 25, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Good read. I have been working for the same company for 33 years now, with passion, and find that reason number 6 is very true. I am leaving the company, as I find the challenges gone.

    Reply
  4. Barry Gumm says:
    January 25, 2013 at 1:19 am

    Thanks for the interesting article, I always disliked working for others and for majority of my working life self employed. in self employment their is only one rung on the ladder,

    Reply
  5. Flash Feed says:
    January 19, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Thank you Renee for such a Awesome post – shared with all my networks.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 26, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      thank you!!

      Reply
  6. Randy Sturridge (@RandySturridge) says:
    January 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

    I greatly enjoyed reading this and in my experience almost everything that you have listed stands to reason. I suppose that is why I left some jobs and have retained others.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 19, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks Randy! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 and thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  7. erichearnEric Hearn says:
    January 18, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Having worked for myself for 25 years I can relate to most of the above, I am thick skinned, bloody minded and very self sufficient. Great article

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 19, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks for the kind words Eric! Working for yourself requires a very high level of self-control and single-mindedness – and doing it for 25 years… wow! 🙂

      Reply
  8. webactonodea says:
    January 15, 2013 at 1:00 pm

    Nice article. Learned new things 🙂

    Reply
  9. markreynoldsit says:
    January 13, 2013 at 1:38 am

    Doing what you love and being surprised that you actually get paid for it ! Being a maverick (in the good sense) – a self-starter, a go-getter, the sort of person who doesn’t wait for someone to tell them what needs doing – they know what needs doing and get on with doing it ! Being a people person – getting your ‘feedback-loop’ for the work that you enjoy doing from those that see the benefits of what you are doing and give you positive feedback about it. Passionate about what they are doing. Tenacious, as you put it. Exuding enthusiasm. When you’re all these things you’ll love what your’e doing and never consider it work.

    Reply
  10. © MrBill (@MrBill01) says:
    January 12, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    #2 … being in-touch with your inner-kid!

    Reply
  11. Detlev Artelt says:
    January 12, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    Well written and so true.

    I’m doing what I love for around 20 years with all ups and downs – and I would do this again. I tend to leave out a few from the downs, but on the other hands, this are the biggest lessons you get.

    Reply
  12. Charles Slang says:
    January 12, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I liked and enjoyed reading your article Renee, and I can relate to many of the different reasons you gave.
    I make a living as a rock singer, and even though I like to joke that my work is like play, I am keenly aware that there are always obstacles in my life, most of them unexpected.
    Though I could see many of the reasons applying to me, I related to the “living in the now” #9, and also #3, because they remind me of the constant struggle and hard work, the constant practices behind the scenes, that it takes to have that fun.
    Finally #10 reminded me of some of the obstacles I still deal with, though I’m more prepared now; people who are petty, control freaks, wannabes, and self-destructive ones, that I have to deal with!
    Thanks for the thoughtful article!

    Reply
  13. annettapowellonline says:
    January 12, 2013 at 4:06 am

    I always wanted to work for myself and not for anyone else. And for the last several years I’ve been doing it. It is challenging but that challenge itself is a motivation.

    Reply
  14. Dean M Waters (@DeanMWaters) says:
    January 11, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Excellent article, when you have so much passion for what you do it is easy to go the extra mile

    Reply
  15. Ruth Zive (@rzive) says:
    January 11, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Why Some Love Their Work http://t.co/DxnJNoya via @libgrl

    Reply
  16. layanglicana says:
    January 11, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    For me, it was the idea of being a portfolio thinker that particularly hit home. Great idea if you can achieve this, though my impression that the world of writers – and all artists for that matter – has a high preponderance of bipolar individuals who would find this a hard prescription to follow.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm

      I hadn’t thought of the differences in trying to apply these between creative jobs and technical jobs, or between management and employee… great point! I wonder if any one else can add to it… I’m very curious now as how left-right-brain people interpret it.. i think I’m in the middle, so I have a difficult time envisioning someone who’se firmly on one side or the other.

      Reply
  17. ariadnasfantasy says:
    January 11, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    worth reading and I am going to stick with No. 7 they wont be stopped, its a great mind set that keeps you persist and build a momentum of perseverance. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm

      Thank you!! 🙂

      Reply
  18. sojisan says:
    January 11, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    i think, to put it more simply, these people LOVE what they do, as your title states, and they’re making a living besides. what could be better? it’s like going on vacation…from a vacation. it’s like christmas, every time you wake up.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      Exactly! – the sweet spot, doing what you love and making a living out of it !

      Reply
  19. Prosperitylink says:
    January 11, 2013 at 11:31 am

    Peoples should think about it: How many years or decades they spend/waste for a job they hate … If you love your job it changes everything. Great points above Renee!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      Thanks! I know many people simply aren’t in a postion to leave a job they hate, but i always tell them to find ONE thing, no matter how small, that they love, and to keep focusing on that one thing to keep motivated about another day.

      Reply
  20. Nate McGee (@Nate_McGee) says:
    January 11, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Great article! Number 1 and 6 are especially true for me. I left my last job because of #6.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks Nate! If only more employers would understand how important it is to their star performers – because the stars are usually the ones who think just like this!

      Reply
  21. Dan Stepel (@lastbabyboomer) says:
    January 11, 2013 at 10:28 am

    It is the key to happy life to love what you do. Sadly few really do.
    I guess I am one of the lucky one but that was not always true. We need to move towards this.
    One is about as happy as one makes one self.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      That’s the key right there Dan! We are as happy as we allow ourselves to be… even the bad jobs have a little glimmer of good, something you can grab onto and smile about… at least until #6 kicks in and we find a better place 🙂

      Reply
  22. Ed Nix says:
    January 11, 2013 at 10:22 am

    Great points – I see my self in a few, but can see others that flourish that have so many of these qualities. I have to remember to get out of the box at times!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:07 pm

      Honestly, most of my posts or just trying to remind myself of the things “I” need to do! I’m really working on a few of these traits right now, struggling, but trying nonetheless 🙂

      Reply
  23. Sui (@SuiEmpireAvenue) says:
    January 11, 2013 at 10:01 am

    If U Love yourself and Always looking on the bright side of life, than everything (incl. job) makes you happy 🙂 People, who don’t love own job, usually are unhappy everywhere else. So it’s matter of attitude 😉 Renee, I hope U R in Love what U do 🙂 and thanks for your article!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:09 pm

      Thank YOU! and yes, i do indeed love my job, and everything I do, even when it frustrates the heck out of me, I love it, and luckily I’m in a position that when it stops challenging me, when it stops fueling my passion, i WILL move on to someplace that does 😀

      Reply
  24. Austin Briggs says:
    January 11, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Loved your article, Renee – and shared it around with pleasure. Your reason #8 sort of jumped out for me, as this is something I’m really struggling with. I keep living in the future — will sacrifice this and that now, BUT in the future… The issue with my approach is that the “sacrifice” just never ends, and the mindset is fundamentally flawed.

    Anyway, learning to love what I have, and do what I love. Will get there 🙂

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 9:54 am

      I have a hard time balancing the “now” and the “future” too. By reminding myself of the benefits of both I seem to do better, but the “now” always seem to overwhelm
      Thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  25. tdreier says:
    January 11, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Having my own business, I sure do like my job; otherwise it would be senseless. However, there were certain jobs in my life, which I did out of ‘convenience’, money was good, job not so much.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 9:51 am

      When you can do what you love AND make a good living from it… That’s the sweet spot!

      Reply
  26. mithuhassan says:
    January 11, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Great article, thanks !!!

    Reply
  27. manuelatosi says:
    January 11, 2013 at 8:52 am

    Seguire con tenacia i propri obiettivi ,con il tempo, darà dei risultati sorprendenti. Grazie Renee

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 9:50 am

      Rough translation :
      Follow tenaciously its objectives, with time, give surprising results. Thanks Renee

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  28. TFH says:
    January 11, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Great article – shared to my networks!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Thank you! 🙂 very glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  29. DES Daughter says:
    January 11, 2013 at 7:56 am

    Thanks for such a positive post Renee – shared with all networks 🙂

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 8:27 am

      Thank you! For the comment AND the shares!! Much appreciated!

      Reply
  30. volky says:
    January 11, 2013 at 7:44 am

    My shortcut is: Love what you do and just do what you really love!

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 8:26 am

      And that’s the best advice!

      Reply
  31. sarin says:
    January 11, 2013 at 7:33 am

    intruiging! must apply 🙂

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 8:25 am

      Thanks Sarin! 🙂

      Reply
  32. Harold Gardner says:
    January 11, 2013 at 6:39 am

    I heard a story once about a couple who moved to a new town where they didn’t know anyone. They were anxious about what sort of people they would find in the new place; so they asked an old timer sitting on a part bench. The old timer ask them what sort of folks were in the town they came from They said amazing, wonderful, sweet folks we are so sad to leave. The old time said you will like it here because that is exactly the kind of folks you will find here. A bit later another couple who were newly arrived to town happened to ask that same old timer exactly the same question. He of course asked them about the town they were from. They said the folks were mean, nasty,and spiteful; so we are glad to be away from there. The old time said sadly, I am so sorry but the folks you will find here are exactly like what you will find here.

    We can’t control our circumstances, but we can control our response.

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:48 am

      Love it! You find what you expect to find every time 🙂

      Reply
  33. Andreas Wiedow says:
    January 11, 2013 at 6:30 am

    #2 and #3 especially ‘spoke’ to me – being still connected with the inner child and having enough marbles to play with . . .

    Reply
    • Renee Gaylor says:
      January 11, 2013 at 6:33 am

      🙂 Hi Andreas! I think #2 is the hardest to keep, but the one that really does make the most difference in enjoyment of our jobs

      Reply
  34. @_InMovement says:
    January 11, 2013 at 2:53 am

    People Who Love Their Work http://t.co/vEy1LsDi via @zite ‘energised kids with seasoned perspective of adults – that’s a great place to be.’

    Reply
  35. @ElleShelley says:
    January 9, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Passion-fueled tenacity will win in the end, even if it means taking some hard knocks in the short run.http://t.co/RibI6z4T @libgrl

    Reply
  36. @Tom_Kooy says:
    January 9, 2013 at 4:57 am

    The difference between those that love their #work and those that don’t… @PsychologyToday gives their reasons. http://t.co/kDkeJ7EE #Perth

    Reply
  37. Alli Polin (@AlliPolin) says:
    January 8, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Passion-fueled tenacity will win in the end, even if it means taking some hard knocks in the short run.http://t.co/uDxUuPKm @libgrl

    Reply

Reply: Cancel reply

  • GTD (Getting Things Done)
    • Time Management
    • Productivity
    • Motivation
  • Leadership & Management
    • Work
    • Career
    • Business
  • Stress
    • Burn-out
  • Goals
    • Success
  • Technology
  • Tips
westXdesign | Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: