Second Article in the Series:
Making Work Play
In the message a few weeks back, “Living a Day Full of Passions, Strengths and Values,” I shared how a recent busy day energized me as I spent the day engaged and doing the things that make my heart sing. This series, “Make Work Play,” will address building a work life that inspires you to hop out of bed every morning, leaves you feeling energized after a full day and provides a meaningful living.
Hopefully you have been somewhat aware of your passions, strengths and values along your career path and are in a field or industry you enjoy. Yet you may be experiencing a vague sense of dissatisfaction, or a feeling of a hamster-wheel existence. You love what you do, but you are just not feeling the love in return. What is one to do? Here are two steps to take:
Look at the path that brought you where you are today. Recall your first position in the industry or field. How did you choose the field? What excited you? How did you move to the next position and level of responsibility? Did you have an end-goal in mind? What were some of the highlights, and some of the lowlights? This type of reflection will help you identify what you love about what you do and what you least like.
Review your calendar. Next to each scheduled item note what passion, strength or value is utilized for that entry. Look hard. Some activities are building or laying the groundwork for an activity that will reflect your passions, strengths and values. Others are diverting you from what you do best and enjoy doing. What are you seeing? Are your activities fueling you or simply filling your calendar?
What if? What if 75% of your activity utilized your strengths, values and passions? What could you accomplish? Use your filter of passion, strengths and values and create your ideal day. Sketch it out and develop a plan to move you in that direction. What is the biggest hurdle to your ideal day? Is it you?