What do you love to do?

A colleague of mine once took a taxi from the airport. The taxi driver asked him what he did. He said he was a consultant who helped organizations become better at change and improve their performance.
“That’s not what you do,” the driver disagreed. “What you do is what makes you happy. That’s your gift to the world regardless of your role. What do you love to do?”
My colleague realized that he loved to make people think – so they broaden their perspective and tolerance and resourcefulness. The driver admitted that he loved to find the essence of his passengers – even on the shortest of rides.

Because we cannot lead others before we can lead ourselves – we must first look at ourselves. Do you love what you do for its own sake (and not for what it gets you)? So, what is your gift to the world?

Is it selfish to pursue what we love?

If we don’t love what we do, we are going through the motions without noticing what else is present or where the energy is.
Peggy Holman argues: Most of us were taught that it’s selfish to pursue what we love. Thus, we set aside what makes us unique. This often leads to unfulfilled, unhappy people. While when we offer our unique contribution, we are at our best and we can make a difference. Withholding who we are becomes the selfish act!

Put differently, we are looking for intrinsic motivation in ourself and others. Though we may have been raised to value extrinsic motivators, such as money, status, power, position (ego needs) – what we love are intrinsic motivators: learning, a purpose, relationships, comradeship, development.

Here are some questions to discover what you really love to do. They are loosely based on Robert Kaplan’s book What you are really meant to do and The power of full engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwarz. Of course, there are many more useful resources.

Who is your best self: when did/do you love what you do and receive positive feedback?
If you had one year to live left, what would you do?
If you had enough money and couldn’t fail, what would you do?
What would you like to read in your obituary?
What did you love to do as a 10-year old?

This is book post #36 – ME

Here‘s the earlier post
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If you’re confused – please start with post #1 or check the Positive Power overview and read the Positive Agent Manifesto.

Leaders, employees, consultants, citizens – everyone can make a positive difference from any position, without needing permission or resources from others. This blog will help you see positive possibilities and (re)claim your positive agency. Unstuck yourself and engage others via your interaction and actions. Transform into a positive organization where people and performance thrive.

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