Recently, I’ve been very aware of people who love what they do.
I’ve noticed that they often have a dynamic energy around them that’s hard to miss.
On Saturday, I was working in my garden when two women appeared in the yard. They were carrying what appeared to be religious books of some sort and they approached me with smiles and appreciative comments about my plantings.
After they identified themselves and their religious tradition, I realized that I didn’t particularly agree with the philosophy of their belief system. Nonetheless, I was impressed by the manner in which they conducted their missionary work. I commented that they seemed to truly enjoy the work they did on behalf of their church. They both nodded in enthusiastic agreement and, after hearing that I had my own approach to spirituality, moved on to my neighbor’s house.
That same day, I was running errands in preparation for a dinner party–always a great reason to stop by Portland’s newest bakery, Cranberry Island Kitchen. Karen, one of the owners, greeted me in her usual welcoming fashion and quickly opened a box of treats for me to sample. I couldn’t resist the invitation to try the latest whoopie pie flavor, even though I knew my mission that day was to purchase her yummy lobster-shaped shortbread cookies as favors for my guests. Both Karen and her colleague, Carol portray the traits of people whose heart is in their work: enthusiasm and a desire to share with others what they do.
My own clients will often remark that I must love my work because they sense my desire to help them and my sincere interest in their stories and quest for right livelihood.
Here is a list of some of the characteristics I’ve observed of people whose heart is in their work. Note if you see yourself in the descriptions:
• Consistent enthusiasm for the work and conscious enjoyment of each day.
• Desire to share the work with others in some way.
• Curiosity about and an interest in delving deeper into related topics.
• Recognition of how the work aligns with what is important to them.
• Spirit of generosity that is projected to others.
• Gratitude for the work and an appreciation for the opportunity to share it with the world.
While most people come to see me for help in identifying and securing work that they’ll love, they don’t always leave the job they are in. It seems that in some cases, experiencing “heart at work” can be cultivated and achieved without going to another job or forging a new career direction.
