CHAPTER  EXCERPTS

I WANT TO LIVE AND WORK MY PASSION BUT…

       You may question others as well as yourself, "how do I live and work my passion?"  Some of us do, many wish we did, most don't.  Why?  Lots of reasons.  When a client or potential client comes to me and says, "Rosemary, I want to do what you do, 'live and work my passion', but I find that I just can't.  It's so overwhelming, there is so much I have to give up, how do you really do it?" 

    Well, that's why I finally wrote this book.  If you want to change, if you want something meaningful in your life, if you want something different, if you want to do this starting now and you're willing to make a commitment to it, what are you waiting for?  If you don't start today, next year this time, you'll wish you had started a year ago.  Are you waiting for a lightning bolt to hit you?  Or an Act of God that still doesn't wake you up? 

The Universe works in strange ways.  When we don't pay attention, things happen to make us pay attention.  Whether you are religious, spiritual or otherwise, and, whoever your God is, he/she doesn't know differently.  So, when someone says, "I want to live and work my passion, but..." I ask, "why aren't you?"

     May I suggest while reading this book that you have a pen and notebook filled with paper to write your thoughts and answers to self-introspective questions.  A store-bought spiral or ring bound notebook will work fine. Or create your own Passion Journal with a ring binder, loose-leaf paper, special colored pens or decorative cover. 

       Create your Passion Journal as the process to identify a stream of consciousness, leading you to the path of achieving the goal of  living and working your passion.  As you begin to answer the questions, it's up to you if you want to number the questions and respond to the number.  Or, write the question in your notebook and respond to the answer in that fashion.  I’d like to comment that the results of answering these questions are not the same when you only answer them verbally.

What is journaling?  Journaling is a writing method that I have used successfully for over 5 years both with clients and myself in identifying blocks, fears, and other personal and professional  issues impacting one’s success to move forward toward goals.  

If you are not familiar with journaling, respond to each question in your passion journal, created for the purpose of this journey, by writing whatever comes to your mind for at least 10 minutes or more.  Keep the pen to the paper even if you draw a blank.  You will find the flow of consciousness begins to unfold as you journal through the questions.  Allow the words to flow naturally, expressing your thoughts and feelings, and even giving direction to situations you once thought were impossible to consider.

 As you read through each chapter, you will find many questions taking you deep into self-discovery along the way.  This process of self-discovery I'll often call a path or journey.   The path of your life begins with you.  Sometimes you'll meet twists and turns, have ups and downs, or wander from side to side.  But in the end, the path leads you to greater opportunities than ever imagined.  If we live in fear, we face no-win situations.  Fear creates lack whereas desire creates abundance.  But it is faith in achieving the desire that is an important part of the journey.  If we truly live in faith, then we will have no fear.

 I would like to add that your answers are private and are your inner most thoughts.  Generally, I don't recommend you share these answers with anyone until you've at least read through the entire book and completed all the questions.  As you continue with the passion journal exercises, you'll be surprised by how some of your answers will unfold areas for you to address, develop more awareness or that may need deeper attention to identifying underlying issues and/or a need for creating a healing process, in order for you to live and work your passion - eventually.  This book is a self-discovering journey.  Enjoy the process because it is your journey!  If you are ready, let the journey begin.

Tools needed for your journey throughout this book:

q       Pen

q       Journal / Notebook

q       Highlighter

q       An Open Mind

q       A Willingness to Change

 IMAGINE A NEW WORLD OF WORK

             Suppose it is already the year 2015.  Let's  take a look at what your working life was like in  the 1980s and 1990s.  The "old world of work" defined as: working in a bureaucracy; layers of management; job security; company or mutual loyalty; visible career ladder; one set of skills; steady pace in business; and clearly defined jobs, often working long hours.

The more obvious "old world of work" included: operating in a local economy; manageable schedules; working hours of 8-5; a job for life (or the right to a job for life); following the organizational chart model; and the work ethic: work hard, pay your dues and you'll be guaranteed success.

      When looking back at the 20th Century, the "old world of work" was externally driven.  You never considered looking inside at who you were.  Nor did you address how important your values were in the world of work.  You followed "silo" management and a traditional style of communications - which were most often closed or non-existent.  You never questioned anything management said or did.

      As you moved into the 21st Century, you like many people struggled with making the shift into the "new world of work."  Why?  Probably because you entered the "new world" with "old world" beliefs and obsolete skills, thereby, impacting your success.

      So now 15 years into the 21st Century, the "new world of work" looks like this:  technology driven, clearly defined competencies, highly competitive, working in a global economy, operating 24x7, a need for entrepreneurial thinking, required flexibility; demand for open communications; and a need for constant retooling.  Because of the fast pace, it's easily compared to riding whitewater rapids on a daily basis. 

        As a result, it's time to create your own career model, thereby, showing companies your strengths.  In addition, the importance of working as if you are a consultant - with length of employment lasting 2-3 years (5 years at most) with any organization.  The "short" employment allows for constant retooling - keeping skills sharp/current, maintaining an open mind for new opportunities and supporting a competitive edge.  Certainly the significance of developing forward thinking or visionary skills and working on a global scale helps.

      The most fascinating part about the "old world” vs. “new world” of work is that you are a pioneer.  You operate in the new world with no organizational chart.  You are forging ground where no one has stepped, driving your career where there are no roads.  You are creating as you go!  You also find that you are internally driven, knowing the importance of your values, searching for work and life balance, and wanting to work at something you truly love to do.

      We can only speculate what the future will bring.  However, what is being described here is happening NOW - Today!  You will continue to work probably until you die, so why not do something you love?  Do you want to live and work your passion?  If so, are you ready for an exciting career journey?  Ready to pave new roads, participate in innovative strategies and develop both your critical and creative thinking skills?  This is certainly a time to think about where you want to go and begin to shape your future as a result.

        In today’s business world, opportunities abound with full time, part time, temporary employees, contractors, consultants, telecommuters, project managers, etc.  It’s no longer just local markets that we look at.  Our scope encompasses global markets often with the opportunity for you to live anywhere and still do the work you do best. 

 In addition, we will move away from long hours (60-80 hour work weeks) and in doing so, will work less hours (more like 30 hour work weeks), be more productive and enjoy life more.  What will you do with your time?  You decide!  Some may turn to hobbies, family, personal or spiritual development. 

You will strive toward a continual balance between work and life, where work fits around your life, rather than if there’s time, I’ll have a life.  This adjustment will include shifting the way you spend your time, such as coaching your daughter’s soccer team, shortened work weeks or travel for fun. 

When you reach the point of living and working your passion, you will achieve work and life balance.  The balance comes in less work and more play giving you the energy to be more productive in work.  You will live and work within your value system.  You will know your strengths, interests and core competencies, thereby blending them together for the ultimate in career satisfaction.

            In order to anticipate the future, knowing yourself, your passion and what drives you to live and work it everyday is an important part of your journey throughout finding your passion and ultimately living it. 

             Your passion may take you to self-employment, a hobby, part-time/full-time work, or cause focus on time with yourself or family.  The importance will be work and life balance - doing what you love and either delegating or forgetting the rest.  Your key to success is feeding your soul – living the life you want and working at something you truly love.  As a result, your income will flourish.

             Here are a few questions to begin your self-discovering journey.  Using the passion journal you’ve created as discussed in the previous chapter, journal on these questions: 

q       What are you currently tolerating in your life both physically and emotionally that creates blocks, clutter, stress, or unhealthy work styles?

q       What are you currently doing to put yourself and your needs at the top of your priority list? 

q       What can you do to feed your soul on a regular basis?

 To read more, purchase a copy direct from the Publisher online.  

Click Below To Order Now

BACK