passion in working

This week, I'm doing something a little different. A few weeks ago, my dear friend Taylor sent me a short piece she previously wrote on the topic of passion. With her blessing, this week I'm providing my own take on a similar topic — with her writing below mine. Two takes, one topic.

EMMA KORYNTA

What are you passionate about? If you asked me in high school, I might have said writing, music, singing, acting, photography. Over time, that list dwindled a little. If you were to ask me in college, I'd generally say writing and people — hearing others tell stories, listening to people talk about their own passions. But how does that correlate with work?

For me, that's how I knew I wanted to pursue a career in journalism. I loved, and still love, stories. I craved the opportunity to share stories with others. Journalism seemed like a natural fit.

My life was so compartmentalized and jam-packed with activities from different obligations in college that anything that evoked that sense of passion seemed fun, even if it was work. Now that I've been out of college nearly a year, there are only two main periods of time — when I am at work, and when I have free time. So now the question is, how do I make sure I don't lose sight of passion in the work?

For me, it's twofold.

First, I remind myself of a younger-me as often as possible. I had been told by countless people for years that journalism is dying, and while writing is great, it isn't a good career. I'm so lucky to be where I am. I worked hard to get where I am. I'm thankful to be here.

Second, I have to seek outlets for this passion in my free time, so it doesn't lose its spark. It comes fairly easy with my particular passions, thankfully. I blog, I journal, I write letters to my future self. My love of storytelling is encouraged through building and strengthening relationships with others, hearing their stories, sharing my own.

It's wonderful if you can explore and embrace your passions at work. It's even more wonderful when you let them infiltrate your time off.

Taylor Jackson - 2016

Being a college student, I’m surrounded by people who are figuring out what they want to do with their lives, figuring out majors and careers and interests – which is awesome.

But so often, people say “one day, I’m gonna work for a really cool company” or “I want a job doing what I’m passionate about” but… what exactly is it that you’re passionate about doing? ... and when is “one day” gonna come?... Post-graduation?

College is the only time in your life where your sole purpose is to learn about yourself and the world around you… so why is the entirety of your free time spent drinking or watching Netflix?

There’s a quote by Mark Manson that says, “What most people don’t understand is, Passion is the result of action, not the cause of it” … You keep using this term “passion” like its something that you’re just gonna wake up and feel some day… but that’s not how it works. By waiting around for passion to find you, by perpetuating that myth, you’re becoming lazy & complacent. You’re wasting your own time.

Passion isn’t just going to come to you. You have to get exposure to things, try things, do things. Some things you’re gonna love and others you’re gonna hate but you have to take action or you’ll never be passionate about anything. When I first came to college, I knew I wanted an active lifestyle. I assumed running was exactly that. But I hated it, and I never kept with it. Finally, the end of my freshman year, I tried going to the gym and signing up for classes. I tried cycling and Zumba, hated both, and finally found yoga. The first few times weren’t easy; I was awkward and inflexible, but I was growing to love it, and now 2 years later, I see that only by taking action was I able to discover that passion.

So if you’re feeling frustrated, feeling like nothing really sparks you, nothing lights your soul on fire … that’s okay. You just haven’t found it yet. But don’t be lazy. Don’t tell yourself that you’ll figure it out later. You only have 4 short years in college – you’re surrounded by intelligent and curious minds, resources and opportunities beyond belief. Outside of that, you’re in the prime of your physical body- you’re young. Strong. And capable. Go do things. Try them out. Watch documentaries. Try your hand at cooking, attend that guest lecture, go to Tuesday salsa nights, even if you have no clue how to salsa. Don’t just talk about passion... seek it, find it, live it, and let it ignite you … Netflix can wait.