Finding Your Passion in Work: When Work is Play

The secret to having a satisfying career is to do what you love and love what you're doing. But not everyone has the good fortune of finding work that aligns with their passions. It's why it's necessary to learn how to find your passion and understand what it feels like to treat work as play.

This article will guide you in finding your passion in work and discovering the essence of loving what you do.

Finding Your Passion

Finding your passion in work is often much more challenging than people realize, especially if you don't know where and how to start.

Below are a few ways to help you find your passion in work.

1. Think about what you already enjoy doing

   It's common to imagine yourself doing what you love in the third person. But, according to an Ohio State University study, that may be ineffective.

   Instead, the study suggests imagining yourself doing what you love in the first person. It allows you to avoid biases, such as limiting yourself to work that fits your degree rather than what you genuinely enjoy.

2. Reflect on yourself regularly

   Finding your passion requires clarity, which you can gain from regular reflection. Reflection doesn't have to be boring—long walks or intense exercises can help you take your mind off your daily stresses and gain a clearer perspective on your life.

3. Work with others

   Speak to a close friend, coach, or even your career job-hunting buddy about what they think your passions are. Their insights can help you find your passion in work because they enable you to avoid your biases.

4. Clarify passions and profitable hobbies

   What may be more important than finding your passion in work is to find one that generates income. Your passions may not always lead you to a high-paying position, and making a business of your passion can ruin the fun for you.

   As you continue finding your passion in work, keep an eye on ones that help solve real-world problems since these are the most profitable.

5. Take extended time off

   If possible, taking an extended period off can help you find your passion in work. Time off gives you the space to review your life and rediscover your dreams.

   While some of these steps may sound drastic, finding your passion and living a life with work as play is a goal that many agree is worth the struggle.

Work is Play, Play is Work

The end goal of finding your passion in work is to get to a point where work and play are almost synonymous. Below are a few ways to better understand "work is play, play is work."

1. You love what you do

   For many people, work is work, and play is play. But if it doesn't feel like hard work for you—getting out of bed in the morning is easy—then you may have already found your passion in work.

2. The work makes you happier

   Finding your passion in work depends on how the job aligns with your values, regardless of its nature. It's about landing a rewarding role that helps you feel accomplished.

3. The play makes you more relaxed

   Finding your passion in work is essential for avoiding work that feels like an uphill climb. Instead, finding your passion in your role can help you discover tasks that don't make you feel anxious or stressed.

4. You feel motivated to improve

   You're more inclined to want to improve when work feels like play. As you continue to improve, you can provide more value to others, which often paves the way for even greater success.

Finding Your Passion Creates a Satisfying Career

Finding your passion in work is necessary for a satisfying career since it's difficult to commit to something you don't enjoy in the first place. When work and play become synonymous, you'll feel more fulfilled and compelled to do better.

After finding your passion, you can visit Career.com to explore countless job opportunities for you.