Passion & Purpose
I have been lucky enough to have recent conversations with college students and am impressed by their intelligence, appetite to tackle big problems, and keen focus on what’s next. For most, it is an internship or a job in which both passion and purpose are fulfilled. And while most “adults” may dismiss this kind of wishful idealism, I see it as essential to the work our world needs now. And so of all my hard-earned wisdom, the biggest gift I can give to young people entering the workforce today?
Know the difference between passion and purpose.
You don’t find your passion; it will find you.
Purpose is what others experience from you based on your intentions.
Or, more succinctly. Passion motivates. Purpose delivers.
What is Passion? - Passion is motivated by emotion; it's a fuel that catalyzes our actions in any area of our lives. If, for example, one is passionate about the environment, then one will be driven internally to learn more about the environment. That interest could find expression in work for an impact fund, regular weekend hiking trips, or being a climate activist living off-grid, or any other myriad number of ways.
Preparing for Passion - Seeking passion and being curious can look very similar but the intention behind each are very different. One does not predetermine their passion, it is discovered. Passion will find you when you are curious and open to possibility. Some people may have a singular passion, others may have several concurrent passions. Whether one or many, curiosity creates the conditions for passion to be discovered.
Questions to consider when getting curious:
What is interesting to me? What and where can I learn more?
What other interests connect to this interest?
Who else shares this interest, how do I feel about this community?
How does this interest move me to action?
Where and how can this interest be best expressed?
What is Purpose - Purpose is often described as intention or objective; purpose results in action that others experience. Using the example above, if your purpose is the environment, you are taking actions that ensure a clean park, a new conversation area, or a community of people who advocate for the removal of chemicals from cleaning products. The purpose is meaning in action.
Practicing purpose - To practice purpose one aligns value and action. Once aligned there is clarity to decisions and action as evidenced by impact. Unlike trying to discover passion, purpose can be practiced intentionally through continuous action and reflection.
Reflection questions to consider:
What do you value? (If you don’t know, Brene Brown has helpful exercises to help you identify your top two values; but feel free to do five.)
How do you express those values?
Are your actions aligned with a particular value?
What words do people use when describing how you make them feel? Does their description align with your intentions?
What are your thoughts on passion and purpose? How do they show up in your life and work?
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