Finding Purpose & Passion at Work

By: Marion Broome, PhD, RN, FAAN, & Renogize Coach

In the past I was working with a client, Sam, who was an accomplished, well-respected professional in his field. He had no outside interests he was passionate about. For years he enjoyed immensely what he was doing at work, but after his last promotion found himself wondering if there shouldn’t be more.  

Sam is not alone. A Gallup poll found that only 1/3 of employees report being engaged at work (Gallup, 2017). These individuals are motivated, passionate about their work and highly productive. It was clear that Sam was highly proficient in his field. Solving the problems he was presented with gave him a great deal of satisfaction. But over the past year, when asked ‘so what has changed for you?’ he admitted the projects were similar, the people he worked with the same, and successfully solving the problems just left him wondering whether there wasn’t more.

We initially explored why Sam thought he was feeling differently about his work. What types of projects would use his skills and knowledge to the maximum?  In the past, what was it about his job that excited him the most, and the least?

Molinsky (2017) discusses some strategies to use with a client trying to figure out how to bring joy back to their work. A close look at their position and how malleable it is to incorporate more challenge is one strategy. In Sam’s case is it possible to change teams and attract some more complex and higher level projects? Talking with his supervisor could result in some creative approaches to realigning Sam’s purpose with his work. Another approach is what Molinsky calls a ‘side hustle’. That is, is it possible to develop a hobby or consulting practice that may be similar to the kind of skills one has, but different enough to ignite that passion again. A final option is to plan for leaving the current position. This would take some planning and networking. And all the thinking and discussing what his passion and purpose is will be very useful as he considers his options and looks at other positions.

References

Boyle & A. Mann (2017). American Workplace Changing at a Dizzying Pace. Gallup News, February 15, 2017.

Molinsky, A. ( 2017 ). ”What to do when your heart isn’t in your work anymore” in M. Hansen & D. Keltner, Finding meaning at work even when your job is dull. Harvard Business Review. www.harvardbusiness.org