I am currently in possession of the best book I have ever read, Spike’s Guide to Success. Keep in mind that I am not a big reader so this better be a darned good book for me to even mention it. However, I am not exaggerating when I say this may be the best book I have ever read (sorry Harry Potter) because it has inspired me in ways I never thought possible. While 99.9% of the information in this book may have touched and affected me in some way, the one quote that really hit me was this;
“The acid test for knowing if you’ve found your passion: Would you do it for free? If you answer, “Yes!” then you have found your passion. If you answer, “No!” then just keep looking.”
Reading this statement caused me to put down the book and think about everything I have ever done. I’ve had many jobs and all of which I did quite well, but I wouldn’t do them for free. I am amazing at science, but I would never do it for free. I am great at sales, but I would never do it for free. I could go on, but I think you get the point. So what would I do for free? I suddenly came to the realization that the only job I have happily (key word) done for free is planning and organizing.
Anyone who knew me in college knows how involved I was in residential living. I was always planning and organizing the next event or meeting (sadly, homework often took a backseat…sorry mom). But I loved residential living, however now that I really step back and look at everything, I wasn’t passionate about the residential living, I was passionate about the planning and organizing. I would never be a housing professional for free. I would, however, do planning and organizing for free because planning is my passion!
So if you find yourself in a line of work that you enjoy, make sure it’s your passion, because if your heart is not 110% invested in something, are you really going to give it 110%?
