Want to be happy at work? Find your two P’s – Purpose and Passion!

Afriend came to me wanting to talk about making a career change.  He had been in his current field for a whileand he didn’t particularly care for the company he was working for, he felt thefield was moving in a bad direction, he wasn’t being compensated according tothe market, etc.  When I asked him whatcareer(s) he was considering, he named a few. When I asked why he was thinking about those specific areas, he gavereasonable, practical answers:

1.Pay scales in line with what he’s currently making

2.Opportunities with well-known and respected companies

3.Possibilities for work/life balance and flexible scheduling

4.Current education and experience should transfer and allow him to be successful

Myresponse was – that’s all great but what do you actually want to be doing inyour career?  What fills your cup?  Where’s your passion?  What did you want to be when you were akid? 

Employeeengagement is a hot topic these days.  Attractingand retaining top talent is vital for all organizations.  We want employees to be happy at work.  But a lot of employees are looking forhappiness in the wrong places – compensation, benefits, company brand/identity,culture.  All of these things areimportant in creating a great employment experience.  But it is possible to have a nice salary,great perks, competitive benefits, a fun culture, and still be miserable.  Why? Because employees are not focusing enough on purpose and passion.

Whenwas the last time you explored your true purpose and passion?  Are you doing what you really want to bedoing? 

Iwas at a crossroads in my career last year. I had made two changes in two years and I still wasn’t happy.  It took a deep conversation in the car withmy husband to realize that my passion was in outsourcing; it was time to getback to it.  That talk took place inSeptember, I made a change in October, and I’ll celebrate my one-year nextmonth.  I am so happy in my work and cansay without a shadow of a doubt that I am living my passion and fulfilling mypurpose. 

Weused to say work ‘should’ be more than a paycheck and benefits; I say now work hasto be more.  Life is too short for it notto be.