Inspiration = Energy

Why do you work?

I mean really, beyond a paycheck and not being homeless and hungry, why do you do what you do?

You knew this, once.

On your first day of work you knew how you wanted to contribute and make things better. You were excited and saw everyone as a potential ally.

What happened?

You lost sight of your “why.”

That, and it may not have been what you thought at the outset.

That’s okay. You get to figure it out again.

So many people resist the idea of “knowing your purpose” and “finding their passion” because real life doesn’t really fee like that. We just don’t see how our job is akin to real purpose and passion, like Martin Luther King. Jr. or whomever you admire greatly.

I’m here to let you off the hook. To tell you that you don’t have to do that.

What I do suggest you do is get clear on what matters to you. Figure why you get up every day and do what you do.

And, just as it’s important for you to know why your work matters to you, find something outside yourself that matters. You must go beyond your Ego, goo outside yourself and connect your work, you labor, your effort with something more than just you.

When you do this you have more, and sustained, energy.

You’ll bring more of your best self to everything you do.

You’ll have greater satisfaction and be glad to have hard work to do, you’ll be grateful you get to work.

But only if you’re clear about why you’re doing what you’re doing – both in how it matters to you and how it makes a difference to someone other than you.

Similar Posts

  • Kant Had it Backwards

    “‎The ‘I think’ which Kant said must be able to accompany all my objects, is the ‘I breathe’ which actually does accompany them.” – William James I have long thought that Kant had it wrong when he said “I think, therefore I am.” Sometime not long after my Intro to Philosophy course at Hobart College…

  • The Power of Howcani

    There’s this thing so powerful. It is the foundation of all achievement and accomplishment. Understood and applied, it will lead to a wonderful life of learning, growth and healing. Ignored, it will leave you bored, listless, unfulfilled and miles from ever reaching your potential. Howcani. Howcani will change your life, IF you learn how to…

  • Be Brief, Be Remembered

    Speeches that are measured by the hour will die with the hour. – Thomas Jefferson Anything that takes too long to convey will be experienced as an ordeal. That which is delivered with relevance, wit and dispatch will be valued – and remembered. Be brief. Be complete. Be useful. It’s possible to do all three….

  • Ask The Right Question(s)

    You see things; and you say Why? But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not? – George Bernard Shaw These words have often been attributed to one Kennedy or another, but I’m pretty sure it was Shaw who said them first. They’re a great “re-frame” and offer us the opportunity to…

  • Where Do You Live?

    If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present. – Lao Tzu How much peace do you feel? You can feel more . . . . Get present. Be where you are.