Passion or Purpose or Both? -- The Formula for Your Work Legacy

The idea that everyone should find a passion in their work is only two or three decades old. But especially for Millennials and Gen Zers, it’s been what they have come to think is a requirement. And many of them think they have to have it all figured out before finishing college or even high school graduation – or they are a failure.

To anyone from an older generation that may see misplaced pressure, and perhaps misguided advice, even from parents. 

I recently was a facilitator on the topic of finding your passion at a Cornell University student-alumni networking event. Many of the students were concerned about finding their passion before plunging into the work world: how and when, how soon, how to retain passion and more. The alumni, mostly from the Gen X, Boomer and older half of the Millennial generations, for the most part, had experienced twists and turns and evolutions in both their careers and what they are passionate about and were able to offer insightful and reassuring advice. Below I offer some of the thoughts I shared as well as tips from other alums. These apply not only for students, but also for people in mid-career and even senior leadership.

• People in recent decades have placed too much pressure on finding a passion to pursue, especially on young people who don’t know enough about the possibilities out there yet. Be patient. You can’t force passion.

• Several years ago, I was impressed with a Millennial who wrote an article saying you get passionate about what you are good at. That requires time and experience.

• My personal experience has been that I always liked the careers and jobs I had and the people I worked with. But I didn’t know what passion about work felt like. That was until after 2005 when I made my primary focus all things generational at work and uniting people of all ages and differences. Then I felt, and feel now, that I am supremely passionate about my work.

• It also takes years typically to understand what your overarching purpose in life is. That comes from passion and becomes a mission. I have come to that understanding, I think, and what I want my legacy at work to be. So I have a podcast and am starting mastermind groups, both of which are named Legacy-Makers@Work, to help others to be intentional and purposeful about the work legacy they create for both themselves and the organization(s) they work for or with.

For students and career and job transitioners, we encourage:

• Keeping an open mind regarding career choices and paths and making change when something doesn’t feel right and can be a deterrent to finding something better;

• Taking different assignments within a company/organization;

  Pursuing leadership positions in professional organizations in industries you work in and/or want to learn about. Also in volunteer organizations.

• Seeking an assignment in another country, which can also broaden your horizons and opportunities.

Reach out for conversations with people who are different than you are and have taken different paths. Relationships and connections are a key part of finding passion and opportunities. And don’t panic if things temporarily don’t work out as you like. Exploring is not a waste of time. It’s the best path to growth and stumbling across passions, life and work purpose.

As long as it’s not a career of continuously jumping from one shiny object to another without serious consideration, we should not place boundaries on future growth and change when current circumstances don’t seem right or something intriguing presents itself accidentally.

Call to Action: Share your passions with others and use them to forge new connections and strong relationships. Share your thoughts on how your thinking on work passion and purpose has changed with the changes the pandemic has brought around work.

© Phyllis Weiss Haserot, 2022.