Passion for Work

[DaveJ]

There are certain naive childish notions I have not grown out of despite knowing they do not apply in the real world.

Foremost, is the idea that one's work is something that one should deeply care about.

If I were an interviewer (no chance of that, lol) my main criteria would be whether or not the applicant has a passion for that job. Even if they do not have the best experience, that would be it. But I do not see that, in most hiring these days. Hiring is done, possibly for legal reasons, based on a matrix of requirements and I would guess that nearly mathematical calculations are used to determine who should be hired. This is not good for humanity.

I think people should pursue their passion, and employers should facilitate that, because it is good for business. Fitting people into the machine like cogs is not necessarily the best approach. I'd rather have a moderately skilled plumber fix my sink who loves his job, than a slightly more skilled plumber who doesn't care about his job or his work. I believe the former would stand behind his work and take it as a personal afront if there were something wrong and fix it. The latter, would just move on and forget about it.

People say that the world cannot be changed, but this is one thing I would want to change.

[rbnyc]

1. Follow your bliss!

I can't seem to reply to any post in here without recommending a move to the not-for-profit sector. Sure, if I had the closest thing to the equivalent of my position in the for-profit world, I would probably make 2-4 times as much as I am making here, and have better benefits, and that's something to consider. But passion for the work is a major factor in the hiring process, and in most organizations, employees and constituents are deeply united by common values.

[DaveJ]

2. It's tough following your bliss, not trying to be negative.

I just do not want to make anyone believe they'll necessarily feel more fulfilled doing what they love to do. When the vast majority of people around me have a self-first attitude, it's tough, not fitting in, not being able to have a home, family, retirement, or travel, and instead just isolation. I actually do not remember ever meeting somebody who loved what they do, except my mom who loved being a teacher. But she too was often accused of being abnormal by professionals.

To most people, work is a tool to get things they want, and that probably is the normal and mentally healthy approach. I'm just thinking in the evolutionary sense, that one day, maybe more harmony will exist in the human race, but that's really not productive thinking about the future, sorry for my lack of focus. Maybe companies care more about passion for work than what I think. I've just never been privy to the workings of the corporate ecosystem.

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Many jobs/careers just don't inspire or require passion

I work in accounting and I don't think I've ever met someone who was passionate about it. Even so, most find satisfaction in doing their job well and taking care of the financial matters of their company or client. When I had to have my gall bladder removed, my surgeon did NOTHING but gall bladder surgery. Her passion was competing in triathlons. Do I want my gynecologist to be "passionate" about doing my pelvic exam? No. I want them to be competent and thorough.

Some fields like the arts, require passion but everyone can't make a living in creative pursuits. In fact, the most talented artists aren't always the ones who are able to make a living at it. I think it's important to have passion about something, but I don't think it has to be your job.

[DaveJ]

6. Fair enough

Hey, sorry that phrase 'fair enough' is kind of overused, just couldn't think of anything better. Since I wrote that over a year ago I actually got a job working on an ERP systems programming, sorta like accounting! Sorry we disagree, it's just that I'm sort of an idealist.

If there is something wrong with the world, I like to point it out, whereas other just think it's the way things are and that people like me are out of touch with reality. I think that if nobody says anything, it's certain things will never change.

Why can't people like their jobs? Even a gynecologist? I guess maybe it's a personality trait, because I feel I'd enjoy most any job. I just picked a professional career that I particularly enjoy, but I'd also enjoy carpentry, landscaping, whatever. I guess people should be allowed to not like their jobs too. I guess it's just a matter of opinion. But I can't stand the idea that anyone would spend half their lives doing something they don't enjoy. It doesn't make sense to me.

[Nikia]

4. My job probably isn't what I'd like most, but at 35 I think that I finally I understand something

That I can feel passion for my job by convincing myself that it is the most important thing that I can be doing. Maybe that's delusional of me.