Love What You Do

My daughter is taking a college class on a subject she should enjoy. But the professor is monotone and dry and, frankly, boring. If you have lost enthusiasm for your subject, quit teaching.

After a minor surgery, I mentioned to my nurse that I have sensitive veins and asked if she could please remove the IV gently.  She glared at me and yanked it out.  If you have lost your compassion, quit nursing.

I was talking to a lady the other day who told me how much things had changed in her industry and how much she hated working with this new breed of client. If you have lost your desire to serve, quit attending to customers.

When I was just out of college, I was working at a job I had taken out of desperation, but also in the hope that it would turn into something great. One night at the bar, I was complaining yet again to my future sister-in-law and she said, “If you hate your job so much, why don’t you just quit?” Could it really be that easy, I wondered?

So I did. I gave my notice and bought a word processor and launched a freelance writing business without the slightest idea what I was doing. That was 23 years ago.

No one says we have to stay in the same job forever. No one says we have to stay in the same career forever. We don’t even have to work in the same mediums forever. Do yourself and the rest of us a favor: find your passion again. Love your work again, even if that means making a big change.

On this day-before Valentine’s Day, take a moment to reconnect with the things you love. Recommit to that old hobby you used to enjoy, call a friend you’ve been missing, pull out that old creative project you set aside. Regain your positive energy and then put it back in the world in ways that benefit us all.