How many people can say that you’ve found your passion in life?  I have recently realized that I have found mine: it’s LIFE!  I am very fortunate to have very supportive family, wonderful friends, and a career that allows me to make a difference every single day.  In reflection of this, I would like to share some of the things that helped me find that passion.

Do What You Love

Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”  My parents have been instrumental in reinforcing this principle my entire life.  I’ve had lots of jobs to date, from landscaper to fry cook to sales associate to radio disc-jockey to human resources.  All have been challenging in their own way, fun, and rewarding at the same time.  Some of the jobs were not “chosen”, but rather a necessity of life.  After all, we have to pay the bills somehow, right?  But even with those positions, I worked with some really great people, learned a lot about business, and eventually found my passion. 

Know Who Your Supporters Are (and Who Aren’t)

Through all of my jobs throughout my career, I’ve had someone (or a group of people) backing me the whole way.  In most cases, it has been my parents.  As the oldest child of four, I’ve always been the one that has gone out on my own, moving away for college, not coming home on the weekends so mom could do my laundry, give me gas money, or stock my refrigerator.  Would she?  Yes.  But instead, she and my dad supported me in every job adventure that I set out on. 

Knowing who my supporters were and those who weren’t allowed me to be successful in what I set my mind to.  While there was much positive reinforcement, there were some negative people in my life, telling me that I couldn’t do this on my own, or that I was stupid for making certain decisions.  Did I make mistakes?  Yes!  But, I have learned from them positively, and am a better person for doing so.

So, in closing, finding your passion isn’t as hard as it sounds.  In my opinion, you simply have to enjoy what you do and have the right people supporting you.  That’s it.  That’s my secret. 

Have you found your passion yet?