Follow your Professional Passion

As you reflect on your career, whether you're focused on your current position or exploring your next opportunity, it's crucial to pay attention to the things you love. Following your professional passion doesn't guarantee that every workday will be fulfilling, but it does mean that, over time, you'll experience genuine career gratification. Recently, I shared a post about one of my professional passions. While I rarely post personal content, this example perfectly illustrates the value of doing what you love. (As you read, consider what you might write about your professional passions.)

I love to write. But I consider myself more of a "Drafter" or perhaps a relentless "Reviser." I'm obsessed with edits, versions, and dreaming about improvements. I’m not an expert on grammar, the art of English, or any of the mechanics of respectable writing. Professional editors have always struggled with my content, and many have let me know this in no uncertain terms. However, I don’t let these details slow me down.

Once I start adjusting my words and content, my mind begins to wander to format and form. I envision beautiful designs to display my work. Traditional tools like Word or PowerPoint always fall short of my desires. Even my published books, which have provided enormous gratification, include elements that don’t meet my wildest hopes for layout and enticing graphics.

I envy my colleagues skilled with Canva, who regularly produce captivating infographics and fascinating word bubbles. My gold standard for interesting and attractive books includes Archetypes in Branding by Margaret Pott Hartwell and Joshua C. Chen, The Brilliant Ideas Launch Pad by Kari Chapin, and even the children’s book Egyptology, which I love as an adult. I long for ‘Lamination’ worthy materials. Does that say something about me? I think it does.

Of course, I employ experts and am grateful for their help. (Including Alaina, my AI assistant) If only...

I'm also unusually attracted to all varieties of super cool office supplies. I happily worked for Xerox, The Document Company, for over a decade. Clients and colleagues alike frequently tease, “You better protect that [fill in the blank] or Lisa will trademark it!”

My most recent favorite word is ‘Listicle’ (thank you, Park Howell, business storytelling expert!). For the record, a recent page in my journal titled ‘Obsessions’ includes the words: toolkits, guides, manuals, playbooks, artifacts, plans, assessments, models, projects, kits, problems that demand to be solved, thought-provoking questions, and all forms of sales strategy. Really when you think about it, who doesn’t relish a packet???

Oh, and finally, I treasure early morning coffee with my dog Randy, which is when I ponder what I might write next.

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Lisa D. Magnuson, author of:

The Top Sales Leader Playbook: How to Win 5X Deals Repeatedly

The Top Seller Advantage: Powerful Strategies to Build Long-term Executive Relationships

The 48-Hour Rule and Other Strategies for Career Survival

Founder & CEO, www.toplinesales.com