When Did You Lose Your Fire?

You weren’t born to just get through the week. But how many of us are doing exactly that? Moving through life uninspired, drained, just checking the days. It’s not that I don’t understand why—it’s that I know we have more control than we think. Because at some point, you had a fire in your belly. A spark. A passion for something.

So when did you lose it?

When did “just making it” become enough?

And more importantly—when are you going to take it back?

Over the past two months, I’ve been having conversations with professionals who feel unoptimized—people who are capable of so much more but find themselves stuck. And one thing I’ve noticed—something I’ve talked about before—is how easy it is to stay in roles that zap our energy.

Roles we should have left five years ago.

But we don’t. Because we feel trapped. Trapped by comfort. Trapped by a steady paycheck. Trapped by the fear of stepping out on faith.

And in staying, we let that role suffocate our fire.

I Know This Feeling—Because I’ve Been There.

I’ve had those moments in my career—times when I felt worn down. I think about my last role. I loved the work, but over time, it started to wear on me. It took a toll—mentally, emotionally—because it became exhausting.

On paper, everything looked great—stable, successful, respected. But I felt like I was just going through the motions. And I’m not talking about the normal challenges that come with balancing day-to-day management with strategic leadership.

No, this was different.

I got to a point where I was just tired of pushing the rock uphill.

I wasn’t inspired.

At some point, I had to be honest with myself: Maybe I was better suited for something else. And maybe the organization needed leadership that aligned more with its ambitions.

The turning point came when I stopped asking, “What’s expected of me?” and started asking, “What actually energizes me?”

That one shift made all the difference.

Because too many of us go through the motions. We check the boxes. We dread Sundays because we know Monday is coming.

Did you catch that?

Sunday isn’t a day to reflect, re-enter, and re-energize. It’s the last bit of borrowed time before the cycle starts again.

And here’s the thing—we don’t even look at our jobs as vocations anymore.

We look at them as notations—just another line item on the to-do list.

Are you listening?

Because a vocation is more than just a job. It’s work that feels meaningful—work that aligns with your purpose, your passions, your strengths. It’s what you’re called to do, not just what you get paid to do.

And don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t be called to something just because it doesn’t fit someone else’s definition of purpose.

We are each given different gifts, and we choose how to apply them—whether in a corporate office, a nonprofit, an entrepreneurial venture, or somewhere else entirely. Whether as a service worker, an assembly line operator, or a knowledge worker.

But here’s the thing—your gifts weren’t meant to be buried in routine.

When you stop engaging with your work—when you stop seeing it as a way to contribute, grow, or create impact—you start to feel stuck. And when that happens, you don’t just lose motivation.

You lose years—years of potential, years of growth, years of impact.

You risk waking up one day and realizing you didn’t just lose your fire—you lost time you can’t get back.

So let me ask you: What if you made a different choice?

What if, instead of waiting for the perfect time, you started reclaiming your energy today?

You decide. You make the choice to start doing things that align—even just a little more—with your purpose.

1.???? Start small. Identify one thing that once energized you at work—can you bring a version of that back?

2.???? Make a list of what drains your energy vs. what fuels it. Then commit to reducing one drain and increasing one fuel this week.

3.???? Find a project inside your company that better aligns with your passion. And listen—I believe in the idea of a “side hustle” within the enterprise.

It’s not your core focus, but it’s a core focus.

Did you catch that?

It’s a passion project within your company—something that feeds your fire even if it’s not your primary job. And if you’re not ready to make a full transition into a role that both supports your lifestyle and fuels your passion, this is a first step.

So What’s Your Next Move?

Because life is too short to drift. Too short to check the days instead of living them.

Imagine waking up excited again. Imagine bringing your full energy to the work you do, making an impact, and knowing you’re growing.

That’s what happens when you stop just checking the days and start living them.

So let me ask you one more time:

When did you lose your fire?

And more importantly—what are you going to do to take it back?

?#ReigniteYourFire #PurposeDrivenWork #LiveFully #BreakTheCycle #BeyondTheMotions

About Me:

Hi, I’m Orvin Kimbrough—volunteer, board director, and a chairman & CEO. I help professionals scale confidence, leadership, and influence by driving mindset shifts, expanding networks, sharing knowledge, and encouraging bold action.

I share insights on leadership, resilience, and personal growth—rooted in my journey from foster care to CEO. ?? Twice Over a Man, my recently released book, has been described as inspiring, honest, and transformative. Readers call it a leadership manual wrapped in a powerful, relatable memoir of perseverance and faith.

For more Business Reflections (and broader lessons learned), visit theaccidentalbanker.com.