Passion, Purpose and Productivity

I received an email recently from author and business consultant, Dr. Theresa Szczurek (www.tmsworld.com). In it, Dr. Szczurek asserts that "when you find your passion and align it with a worthwhile purpose, you are more productive."

I completely agree, for in this statement lies the principle (the word "purpose") of finding meaning. Yet too many individuals wait for their work to provide meaning, as if somehow their employer or their job were responsible for establishing the meaning. This simply does not and cannot happen. Rather, each of us has the uniquely human ability to define for ourselves the meaning (or the "seed of meaning") in each and every situation, including our work.

This by no means implies that every job is wonderful or will make us feel fulfilled. Rather, as Dr. Szczurek points out, when you bring passion to your work, and when your work is aligned with a meaninful purpose for you, the harmony created spurs productivity. Even where you don't feel that passion, however, you still have the ability to define the meaning of the situation for yourself (including the possibility that your current job is not fulfilling or rewarding because it is not in alignment with your values).

The pursuit of passionate purpose (which is also the title of Dr. Szczurek's book - see http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471703249/sr=8-1/qid=1146232957/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-6686136-9048931?%5Fencoding=UTF8) is a worthwhile endeavor. But don't forget the role the YOU play in bringing meaning to every situation, even one that may not generate "passion." If you look for the "seed of meaning," you'll move more quickly toward your own purpose and your passion.