Work as defined by English dictionary, is an activity directed toward making or doing something while passion is a strong feeling. Greatness without loving what you do is impossible. Why? This is because work is the womb of greatness. Nobody ever achieved greatness outside the realm of work – whatever that work is (whether it is singing, football, basketball, leading a team, or building a business). But without passion, work becomes a chore and leads to boredom. People achieve greatness when they love what they do that they are willing to do it for free though they are often paid for doing it.
Until your work becomes an avenue to express your life’s calling and gifts, you will never achieve true happiness and greatness.
Work is not just the means of livelihood but the means of living. Work is the channel for the expression of lives’ callings and gifts. The best advice on passion for work was given by Steve Jobs at the commencement address at Stanford in 2005, when he said, “You‘ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do”.
“Never work just for money or for power. They won’t save your soul or help you sleep at night.” …….Marian Wright Edelman. I like the notion that the only way to do great work is to love what you do. Aristotle once said…pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. Show me someone who loves what he does and is willing to sacrifice his time and resources to be the best at it, and I will show you someone who will achieve greatness in that field.
Part of this article was culled from “The Alphabet of Leadership” by Dr. Maxwell Ubah