Passion Can Drive Your Career

Passion Can Drive Your Career
By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer 


Whether it last happened today or 20 years ago, most of us have been hit with that pit-of-the-stomach, Monday-morning moment of questioning: Why do I work here? Is this all there is?
What's missing for many American workers is passion, a positive emotional connection to our work -- often our most energy-consuming pursuit. The good news is that with introspection, planning, action and support, you can redirect your career to incorporate what truly excites and invigorates you.
Passion Drives the Most Successful Careers
In the context of work, passion is more than a best-seller buzzword, according to Sally Hogshead, author of Radical Careering. "The word ‘passion' has a cheesy connotation, but you have to see it as a nonnegotiable element of your career success," she says. "In fact, if you're going to be your most successful, you have to be passionate."
To put the drive back into your career, you first must get back in touch with what energizes you. "Look back over the course of your life -- even back to when you were 12 years old -- and seek patterns in what you like about what you've done," says Lawler Kang, author of Passion at Work. "Try to come up with a high-level passion, even a mission. Then ask, ‘Does this job meet my personal mission?' whatever that mission is."
Your passion may take many forms: working with people, grappling with an organizational puzzle, telling stories or building that better mousetrap. It's wise to come up with more than one endeavor that energizes you, because some passions don't lend themselves easily to a career.
Put Passion into Your Work
Don't make the mistake of assuming that any work activity that touches on your passion will automatically gratify you. "Even if you're interested in golf, it's unlikely you'll stay interested in working in a golf store and selling equipment," says Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This.
Suppose you've got the talent and decide you want to be a golf pro. For a successful candidacy, you need to lay out a plan that will help you put all the pieces together. "You've got to get some substantial stuff on your resume -- fill in the blanks, repackage yourself, get training," says Jansen. A reality check with professionals in your target occupation is key.
Inject Passion into Your Job Opportunistically
Of course, many of us don't have the time and money to undertake a total career change. Big changes typically come with big expenses. But some professionals develop creative ways to infuse their careers with a passion that has been a long-term avocation.
"A client of mine, an account executive at a global ad agency, is passionate about health," says William Arruda, a consultant with Reach Communications Consulting. "So she came up with several ways to inject her passion into the daily grind." The account executive worked with the on-site cafeteria to design healthful menus, led after-work yoga and kickboxing courses and gained a healthcare company as a client.
That's one way to serve up a career with a side of passion.



http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/Work-Life-Balance/Passion-Can-Drive-Your-Career/article.aspx Feb 6,2009

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!
Happy 2009 : Year of the Ox

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Happy 2009: Year of the Ox!

Dinner with--42 Albie Crew!

Robin & me....can you tell I'm a lil' buzzed?!?

Sue Ann and myself trying to avoid the Patron shot!

This is probably the best thing I needed last nite! A xmas dinner/reunion. All thanks to Robin! Soo much fun and "buzzed"! hehe

December NIte at Balboa Park 2008

Albie Target Marketing

So as many know, in addition to speaking English I am also fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese....
I was just surfing the net and guess what I found? I don't think I've ever seen this on my work website but did my store director put "speaks vietnamese" in here? The only vietnamese speakers would be myself and the Pharmacist. Just a tad bit interesting.......

Happy 14th Tiffany!

Finally, 4 days after LanVin's due date, he finally popped out! And boy, during midnite hours, too! This is the text I got from Cau Do on my cell in my wee morning sleep! This is Brad with his baby brother Blake.

Can you tell how proud he is to have the new title of "big brother?"This probably means nothing to the viewer but I found some humor in this picture. This was taken at the Sharp Hospital when she was in for a eye laser treatment for glaucoma. She was really nervous when the nurse called her inside the patient room...only to be sent back out to the waiting room with this sticker slapped on her forehead!


These pictures can be un...when you're like ...wth happened here? when people don't know what's going on behind them...just be glad folks I don't embarass you too much!

Welcome Baby Blake Ethan Le

November 14, 2008

Now all we're waiting for is Cau Do's Baby Lan Vinh to arrive in a few weeks!

Day after Flu Shot

I woke up this morning late and feeling sick. I hate it the day after I get my flu shot.



anyways, for lunch today, I went to --42 to pick up some NAO packets and planned to lunch with Febe. But as usual at this new place, I got out late. Luckily, I was able to arrive before SueAnn had left for the day. Chatted a bit with her and Robin and John. It's always good to surround yourself with people who are positive and appreciates having you around! :D

Co Huong's due in like two weeks!

Bday 2008

For my 2008 Bday, I spent it with my fave peeps. Dinner at Elephant Bar...and National Cabrillo Monument. It was such a gorgeous day at National Cabrillo Monument. Thanks to Destin for his near cliff death escapade! Thanks to my indoor sister for not complaining about the outdoors environment. Thanks to Tiff for those fun uphill strides to the lighthouse. Thanks to Brit for loving every new discovery. Fun coastal ride up and down the coastline.

Dad's 53rd Bday!

Today was Dad's 53rd Bday. My sis and I are taking him out to DIM SUM/LUNCH this weekend. In the meantime, I got him a Bday cake and this very beautiful purple orchid this evening. As soon as my dad sat down by the table, we see Mina running in and peering in through the glass door.

You can see the dog really wanting to be inside to join the fiasco.

So we let her in and here she is going "oouahhh, CAKE!!!"Dad had to restrain her a bit from taking a lick of the ice cream cake.Here she is looking a bit frustrated dad didn't let her have a lick!Mom decides to join in the fiasco. Can you tell Mina is flustered there's another WOMAN in the picture?Dad shoos Mina so Mom can sitMina, myself, and DadMom's happy because Dad finally blew out the candleA Bday Kiss for Dad!

Doesn't this face tell you what a kiss can do for someone?

Mom's superhappy because she can finally have cake!!!