Career Passion Development

7 Lessons on Sustaining Passion and Purpose at Work 🔥 One of my favorite industries to study passion in is healthcare. Few other fields put human care and impact so visibly at the center of daily work. Healthcare professionals literally see the difference they make every day in their patients’ lives. That direct connection to impact is inspiring—and, honestly, something I often find myself craving in my own work as a researcher. But healthcare is, unfortunately, also one of the clearest examples of the downsides of passion. The same deep sense of purpose that draws so many into the field can, over time, make them vulnerable to burnout, exploitation, and disillusionment. --- Passion, if not sustained wisely, can fade, or even become destructive. --- I’m often asked: What strategies can help people maintain their motivation, passion, and sense of purpose over the long term? Based on my own and others’ research, here are a few key practices worth highlighting: 🌟 1) Anchor to Impact Regularly reflect on the people who benefit from your work. Patient stories or outcomes reinforce why the work matters and help renew motivation. [1] 🤝 2) Rely on the Team Supportive peers, mentors, and healthy team cultures buffer stress and prevent isolation. Passion spreads best in environments where energy is shared, not forced. [2] 📚 3) Keep Growing Continuous learning through new skills, challenges, or projects fuels progress and sustains engagement over time. [3] 🧭 4) Know Your Coping Style When facing setbacks, those who view their work as a calling may channel “hot” pain into renewed passion, while others—who see their work more as a job—recharge best by stepping away and finding distraction outside of work. Knowing which camp you fall into helps you cope more effectively. [ongoing research] ⚖️ 5) Manage Passion’s Costs A surge of passion can feel energizing and effortless, but it often leads to exhaustion the next day. Always remember that passion can make you overconfident. [4] Self-regulation practices help balance the highs and lows. [5] 🔥 6) Moderate Passion Don’t try to maximize passion—try to sustain it. Too much passion can hurt performance and increase burnout risk. The goal is a steady flame, not constant fireworks. [ongoing research] 🌙 7) Detach to Recharge Two decades of research show that psychological detachment from work—“switching off”—is one of the healthiest things you can do after hours. [6] Create rituals that help you mentally leave work behind. Even your commute, often seen as a nuisance, can actually serve this purpose. [7]

I never set out to build a career in AI. As a kid, I was covered in paint splatters and glued to craft projects. I thought I’d grow up to be an artist. There’s a story behind why I never pursued art professionally (maybe I’ll share that one day). Then, in middle school, I discovered the PC Logo tool 🐢 (IYKYK): making crazy patterns with LT and RT commands, felt just as magical as painting. That creative spark led me to notice something else: I was inherently drawn to physics and math, balancing equations and unraveling logical puzzles- while chemistry and biology never held my attention. My brain craved analytical challenges, and every time I debugged a code or solved a tricky math problems, I felt that same thrill I once got from painting. One of my mentors put it perfectly: “Your superpower lies in what sets you apart. With limited time that all of us have, channel your energy into what makes you unique.” For me, that meant leaning into my love for math and computational thinking, and the joy of discovering how machines learn. Here’s how those pieces came together, and how they might help you find your own path: → Embrace your first sparks. Remember the activities that lit you up, whether that was painting watercolor landscapes or guiding a Logo turtle to draw circles. → Notice your natural inclinations. Which subjects or tasks pull you in? For me, physics equations and algorithmic puzzles were irresistible; biology diagrams, not so much. → Celebrate small wins. Every time you solve a problem, automate a task, or complete a creative project, you build confidence, and momentum. → Lean into what makes you unique. Your blend of strengths, like creativity plus analytics, or storytelling plus data, can become your superpower. → Keep experimenting. Passion often emerges at the intersection of unexpected interests. Try new tools, challenge yourself, and pay attention to where you lose track of time. Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s- and THAT'S the point. Whether you’re mixing paints or writing your first lines of code, those early curiosities can point you toward work you love. ❤️

How to move from “doing your job” to feeling inspired by it? Here’s my framework for building a career that creates impact + fulfillment. 𝟲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿.👇 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 ↳What drives you beyond the paycheck? Define your "why." ↳Create a strong purpose statement to inspire you. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳Think long-term! This gives you direction and helps you prioritize what's important. ↳Set short and long-term goals. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 ↳Work out the  milestones and map out steps / actions. ↳Keep yourself accountable but stay flexible—you may adjust as you learn and grow. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 ↳Challenge any beliefs that make you feel unqualified or unworthy of your ambitions. ↳Self-coach or work with a mentor to overcome these. 5️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 ↳To make an impact, grow as a leader. ↳Build credibility in the market as the "go-to" value-creator. 6️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 & 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ↳Create a differentiated value proposition. ↳Invest in your warm network and build new networks that support your purpose and vision. When we have full clarity on the impact we want to make and how to make it, we are motivated and inspired daily. ✅ If you're at a career cross-roads, send me a message and let's discuss. ✅ I've coached 300+ professionals, helping them navigate their careers with purpose + impact. --- ♻ Repost to help your network.

I am ordinary. But I love helping people grow. I have been doing this since I was 17. And I got good at helping ordinary people do extraordinary things. That's how I got extraordinary jobs. I was the tuition teacher for the son of an impoverished, single parent. I was the Head of Worker's Training in NPB. I was GE's Head for Leadership Development in Asia-Pacific. I was the Chief Learning Officer of J&J globally. And I was the Chief Talent Officer of Sinarmas. I believe ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results. This begins with connecting individual purpose with the company's purpose. When people are driven by a compelling purpose, they are inspired and alive. It's almost as if they are madly in love. Striving for a purpose at work is the difference between fighting for numbers and fighting to improve lives, between making meaningless sacrifices that does not matter to making meaningful sacrifices that create a better future. This difference gives a person unlimited emotional energy. It’s the same energy that transformed ordinary people into extraordinary leaders. This energy drove Lee Kuan Yew to put Singapore before self; empower Mahatma Gandhi to rally a nation around freeing India without violence; embolden Angela Merkel, a childless Protestant, East German woman to lead the Christian Democratic Union, a male-dominated, largely Catholic party, and positively change Germany and Europe; inspire mothers and fathers to love and sacrifice for their children. Connecting individual purpose with the company's purpose is not so easy but it's also not so hard. It begins with finding out what is meaningful and what is meaningless work for people. Then you can identify those areas where people feel alive, feel passionate and feel energised. This enable you to match individuals to the right assignments, jobs and careers and set them up on a path to achieve extraordinary achievements. But before that you need to help your people understand their purpose, and how to look for ways of fulfilling it in work. And before that you must lead by example. The more purposeful, open and empathetic you are, the more people will trust you, leave their comfort zone and explore how their purpose can let them do extraordinary things. Purposeful work and a purposeful life are enduring aspirations. It may sound like a benefit but in truth it should be an entitlement for everyone. Agree? Photo Credit Faze Magazine

The Secret to Career Passion: What I Learnt from Getting It Wrong (and Right) — Inspired by the Hedgehog Concept Have you ever found yourself chasing one idea after another, hoping that this would be the thing that lights you up, only to feel stuck or restless again? I’ve been there more times than I can count. Early in my career, I tried following what I thought was passion — jumping into projects that sounded exciting, chasing trends, or doing what others said I should love. But each time, the excitement faded. It wasn’t until I came across Jim Collins’ Hedgehog Concept that things began to click. In his book Good to Great, Collins uses the hedgehog concept as a metaphor based on an ancient Greek parable: "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." The idea is that foxes are clever and try many tactics and tricks, but they lack focus. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, do one thing extremely well — they roll into a ball of spikes and protect themselves. For me, reading this was a turning point. I realised that while the concept was designed for companies going from good to great, I could apply the same thinking to my own career and personal passion. I was acting like a fox — dabbling in different areas, trying many tactics, but without clear focus. What I needed was to find my one big thing. The Turning Points in My Journey I can point to key moments in my life where I got closer to true passion: -- When I stopped doing what looked good on paper and focused on what energised me: For me, that was creating, writing, and teaching — not just managing. -- When I accepted that mastery takes time: Early on, I wanted quick wins. But I learnt that the more I invested in developing deep expertise, the more confident and passionate I became. -- When I saw my work help others: Passion really took off when I started receiving feedback from people who said, “You made this clearer,” or “This changed how I think.” The Hedgehog Concept Explained Jim Collins describes three circles that, when they overlap, create a powerful career sweet spot: -- What are you deeply passionate about? -- What can you be the best in the world at? -- What drives your economic engine (or creates sustained value)? The intersection of these three circles is where long-term success and fulfilment live. Why Passion Follows Mastery and Service We often expect passion to lead, but it’s the result of getting good at something meaningful and seeing its positive impact. The more focused you become, the more momentum you build. My Closing Thought I didn’t find passion by waiting for it. I built it — piece by piece — by aligning curiosity, skill-building, and contribution. By applying the same focus that great companies use to go from good to great, I’ve found my path — and you can too. Start by mapping your own circles, and you might be closer than you think. #CareerMoment

How to decide what career/business to start (and WIN BIG at it). 💥 Most people pick a business or career by chasing what’s trending… or sticking with what’s comfortable. That’s a fast track to boredom, burnout, or mediocrity. Choosing a business is not about what excites you. It’s about where you can win faster. If you want a path where you can win faster, go deeper, and last longer, use the ✨ DFP Framework: Domain, Function, Passion ✨ . After stepping away from my last company, I had hundreds of ideas I loved and wanted to pursue. I chose Zora Health because of the DFP framework. It acts as a filter and forces you to think about: ✔️ Where you already have credibility and an edge ✔️ What you can commit to mastering ✔️ What will keep you engaged for the long game? ♦️ Domain – The “Where” You Play Your domain is the industry or field. It determines the network you tap, the problems you understand, and the opportunities you’ll see first. Choose one where you already have insight or connections — that’s your unfair advantage. For me, women’s health wasn’t random. My personal journey and market gaps gave me a head start most founders lack. ♦️ Function – The “What” You Do Best Your function is the role you play in the value chain — the work you do day in, day out. Builder, seller, strategist, creator — this is where you should already be dangerously good. The more your function aligns with your proven strengths, the faster you build momentum. I knew my edge was as a founder-operator - scaling teams, shaping strategy, and driving revenue. ♦️ Passion – The “Why” You Stay in the Game Passion is your emotional fuel — the reason you keep going when the work gets hard. It’s not “follow your bliss” fluff; it’s the problem you care enough about to wrestle with for years. For me, that was personal: navigating my own fertility and health challenges made me relentless about fixing this space. The best careers and businesses are thoughtfully and intentionally designed. If you want staying power and an edge, choose to win. So… what’s your DFP? Share with me! 😄 #career #business #careertips #networking #corporate

There’s a different kind of peace in waking up excited for work — when what you do 9 to 5 doesn’t feel like an obligation, but a choice. That’s what happens when you manage to monetize your hobby — when the lines between “work” and “passion” start to blur. For me, it started back in college. I loved creating videos — no strategy, no pressure, just curiosity and joy. Over time, that hobby started paying me. By the time I graduated, I never had to ask my parents for money again — my content took care of it. That’s when I realized how powerful it is to build something around what you love. If you’re wondering where to start, here’s what helped me 👇 🎯 1. Start small but stay consistent – Don’t wait for the perfect setup or idea. Just begin. 💡 2. Share what you genuinely enjoy – Your authenticity will connect faster than any algorithm. 🧩 3. Build skills around your passion – Editing, storytelling, marketing — they’ll multiply your opportunities. 🌱 4. Monetize ethically – Collaborate, consult, teach, or sell something that aligns with your values. And one day, you’ll realize, you’re no longer forcing yourself to work late; you’re excited to keep going. Because when your hobby becomes your work, you don’t chase weekends — you build dreams every day. #PassionToProfession #MonetizeYourHobby

I have always felt PASSIONATE about working in the senior living industry, but there was always something not quite fully realized. A 95 percent-ness about it all. Like an ache you can’t quite pinpoint or a faint chirp disrupting the otherwise quietude of what should feel perfectly right. When you cannot define an elusive feeling, you resign to a dissatisfying conclusion - “it’s nothing.” Then the repeating chorus plays. “I’m just tired. I just need to be positive. I just need to be grateful that I’m doing [mostly] fulfilling work. Passion should be enough after all, right? There are so many people who don’t feel as devoted to their work. I’m one of the lucky ones who is working within my purpose. Right?!” Slowly, gradually, and then nearly irrevocably we do the work that is assigned to us rather than the work that derives from within us. It’s not exactly how we envision it, but at least we’re in the game! Still… a pesky and lingering asynchrony hangs in the air. Then, today while connecting with someone I’ve known about for a very long time but never had a one on one conversation with (Kelly Singleton Myers) a well-placed question on her part helped me understand and define what’s been out of sync all along but only recently rediscovered in my work the last few years. Passion must be accompanied by its natural counterpart —> AUTHENTICITY. When you work with passion but you can’t show up as your whole self, your genuine perspectives, your real intentions, and your unique lens - you are not in harmony with yourself. You toe the line but find ways to sneak your sincere vision into the assignment. Your purpose is diluted ever so slightly. But when you combine passion with authenticity, you can get into a place of true flow. You can see what you’re actually made of - not the grit-fueled version; the heartfelt version. Maybe THAT is the senior living 2.0 - not a business idea, a market, an innovation in waiting, a technological breakthrough or a strategic revelation - but perhaps it is the reawakening of our whole selves. More and more and more leaders will break away from companies that have shelved our authenticity and masterfully, like a purpose pickpocket, redirected our attention to our handicapped passion. Let us reclaim that balancing force within us. Passion + Authentictiy Can you imagine THAT rising tide?

Marsha was in her 50s and hoping to make a career pivot. "Have I got chance?" she asked me. I'll tell you what I told her: Ageism in the job market is real. But, if you are prepared, you can overcome the obstacles. It had been years since she'd applied or interviewed for a job. We worked together on her resume, LinkedIn, networking, and interviewing to package her for the job she wanted. When she called to say she'd gotten an offer for a great new job in pharma, with a 30% pay increase, I was jumping up & down!! I want to be clear that this was not easy. It took a lot of focus. Here is the multi-pronged approach we worked on together: 🎯 Resume Strategy: ↳ Focus on impact ("Delivered $2M in savings" vs "25 years of experience") ↳ Go back no more than 15 years  ↳ Highlight current technical skills, leave off old ones ↳ Take the graduation year off all degrees ↳ Contact info should include only city, state (no street address) ↳ Ditch the AOL, and hotmail email addresses; they date you 🌐Networking Strategy: ↳ Reconnect with former colleagues & give them an update ↳ Practice talking about your skills and abilities ↳ Speak to others who've successfully overcome the age barrier ↳ Make sure your LinkedIn profile follows best practices ↳ Work toward 500+ connections ↳ Post and comment on LinkedIn weekly 🏢 Employer Strategy: ↳ Target 40-50 companies with age-diverse cultures ↳ Talk to people in similar roles & ask about key skills ↳ Ask HR/recruiters about their hiring process ↳ Follow each employer on social media to learn priorities 💡 Interview Strategy: ↳ Lead with energy and genuine interest ↳ Show you've done your research with deep preparation ↳ Be ready with stories that include cross-generational work ↳ Share examples of your adaptability and growth mindset ↳ Talk about new skills you've built and show you're on top of trends ↳ Communicate your experience working with diverse people 🤵🏼Personal Strategy: ↳ Take additional courses & certifications to keep your skills fresh ↳ Stay current in your field with podcasts and social media ↳ Make reasonable adjustments to your appearance ↳ Clothes should fit well and be current, but not "trendy" ↳ Avoid language that "dates" you (ask a trusted younger friend) Remember: You're not "overqualified" You have battle-tested wisdom. That, along with these strategies, will set you up as a strong candidate! ♻ Repost to help people who are facing ageism in their job search 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more strategic career insights

After 20 years in talent management and career coaching, I’ve seen one truth over and over! ‘You cannot wait  for your boss or manager to advance your career!’ If you want a new job, a promotion, or more recognition in 2025,  here’s what I’ve learned and what I coach my clients to do: Document Your Achievements: I've kept a "brag file" of my achievements—big and small.  When it's time for reviews or interviews, I have solid evidence of my contributions. Invest in learning and development: This has helped me stay ahead of the curve.  I mastered skills aligned with the future  of work to remain competitive. Advocate for Yourself:  Don't shy away from claiming credit when you've earned it!  Throughout my career, I've made it a point  to advocate for myself. Create a Career Roadmap: Defining your goals and outlining actionable steps to reach them has been a game-changer for me. ↳ My clear plans have made the journey less daunting. Network Strategically and Consistently: Building meaningful connections regularly, not just when you need  something is crucial. Don’t forget those  Christmas parties and meet-ups. ↳ Strong relationships have been game-changers in my career. Be Proactive:  Taking initiative and following through have been key to my success. Remember, passivity stalls progress, while execution drives results. Putting these strategies into action has helped me achieve  my career goals, and I know they can do the  same for you. Embrace ownership of your success and thrive in the coming year! What strategies have helped you excel in your career?  Share your tips below! #GoalInspiredCareerCoaching #CareerAdvice #JobPromotion