Passion vs. Purpose

Below, you'll find some highlights from a Q & A I did with a Tampa based company, New Town Connections, for their Millennial CEO Speaker Series.

1.    How do your passions relate to your purpose and what recommendations can you give to define one vs. the other?

I feel like in 2018, there’s so much pressure to find your passion. Passion defined, for me, is having a strong desire to do something that you enjoy. Something that’s meaningful to you. Passion evokes emotion.

Passion and purpose are different. Your purpose is what you feel deep down is your calling. It’s what you’re here to do. It’s selfless. It’s the reason you exist. Your purpose affects you and more importantly, it affects others. So, perhaps there are things you are passionate about that lead to your purpose.

2.    What steps can you take to obtain the feeling of fulfillment?

Be self aware. Be present. Be driven to reaching your true potential. Understand yourself and your passions. If you put the energy in to knowing yourself, the energy that goes out will make such a positive impact naturally. Be confident in knowing that the work that you’re doing is good. Only invest your time which is your most precious resource or any other resources in things and people that you believe in. 

3.    How does money impact your purpose?

To me, money has meaning. So what does money mean to me? I look at money as a measure of success. For me in my line of business, for instance, the more revenue we’re bringing in, the more people we’ve helped find jobs which means we’ve touched more lives - and perhaps of these placements we’ve made have helped some people find new hope out of a bad situation. Maybe it’s moving from a job they hate to a job they love. Maybe its relocating to be near their sick parents. Maybe its their very first job and you help them get a good salary to help them pay off their loans. Perhaps it’s a newly single mom who’s going through a divorce and needs a special schedule with set hours and you help her get them. So you see obviously in these examples of stories of people we've helped, the circumstance of the people we work with affect me - I find passion in helping them - and the revenue reminds me of the number of people that could potentially benefit from what we offer. Another thing I’m passionate about as we’ve spoke on already is community. The more money I make, the more I can help organizations that are dear to my heart.

4.    What advice would you like to give today for the audience to take away from this talk on purpose and passion?

First, people are good. When people offer you help, take it. When people see value in what you’re there to do, accept the compliment and support and as your journey gets going and you hit the tough times, because we all will, remember that you have people out there that believe in you. I’ll be the first to admit a strong network will be the fastest most inspiring way to grow into your purpose and continue to remember to live your passions.

Second, selfish is not always a bad word. You’ve got to take the time to know you before you can really feel the level of fulfillment that you might be seeking in finding your purpose. You have to stay connected to yourself every day. Keep focused on you and what you’re set out to do and if you don’t know, spend time investing in exploring potential passions that might lead you there.

And Lastly, just go for it. It’s the best advice I’ve been given along my journey. Wherever you’re at in your journey, and if there’s an opportunity that you have to make a difference that has meaning - go for it. 

Brianna Bean, Founder/CEO @ The Job Scouts

The Job Scout Brands: Therapy Scout and Nurse Scout, helping healthcare professionals find quality jobs nationwide