What I Learned from Standing on the Corner of Passion and Professionalism

Famous corners: Winslow, Arizona; Happy & Healthy; four corners, USA; among others. One corner we can hopefully all relate to, whether now or in the future, is that of passion & professionalism.

So what do I mean?

I mean venturing down a career in which you excerpt sincere professionalism for your role and what you are doing. Day in and day out you put forth an effort that goes beyond just showing up, working diligently to achieve the goals of your position, high-fiving your co-workers (and maybe your boss) and finding at the end of the year a performance review that reminds you of the good 'ol days of report-card-worthy refrigerator placement. And then... all of a sudden... an opportunity to put your professionalism to work for something that aligns with your passion. Something that you will not only put forth an effort that goes beyond just showing up and diligently achieving your position goals, but one that puts a smile on your face when you wake up, ignites a spark that easily can take down a forest, and a sense of focus that you know will turn professionalism, accompanied by this now passion, into outright rock star status - all because you are are now on that corner of professionalism and passion.

That happened to me. It was amazing. (Key: past tense.)

I learned a lot; I learned things that have educated me more than anything Simon Sinek, James Collins, or my father can teach me. Here are five thoughts to pass along as you and I continue to seek the map to our own corner of passion and professionalism (for the first time or the fifth time):

1. Just because it is a passion, doesn't mean you are the right fit to carry it with your professionalism.
2. Sometimes your professionalism doesn't fit into the culture of that passion.
3. While you may find your corner of passion and professionalism, entering it may end up kicking someone else who was there before you off their own corner, thus igniting new issues (internally and externally).
4. There's always something behind the curtain that may question both your passion and your professionalism.
5. And similarly, the corner of passion and professionalism is not a perfect corner. Sometimes it impacts your professionalism, which is not good, and sometimes it impacts your passion, which could be just as bad, so it may be better to leave the corner altogether...and seek the next one.

The good news is that once you learn these, you can find clarify within yourself and a sense of freedom to assess, align, and ultimately re/de-fine what it means to be on that corner of passion and professionalism.

Perhaps you are already there and just didn't know it. Perhaps you can get there now that you are aware. Perhaps you never knew what passion (or professionalism) was until you went through this.

Either way, take things in stride, learn from it, and grow.

...and head to your TRUE corner of passion and professionalism, wherever that may be.