Are You Pursuing Your Career in Color?

In 2013, I wrote a blog post that resonated with readers. In “Do You Live Your Life in Color?” I reflected on the passing of two people — one a friend and one a relative — who had lived their lives with vigor and passion, never failing to pursue their dreams and ambitions.

I observed that their passion for their work “inspired me to live my professional life as if I would only live it once.” Unfortunately, far too many professionals today are simply punching the clock. They are pursuing their professional careers in black and white.

Over more than 40 years in business, I have worked with or encountered thousands of men and women across many career fields. As I reflect on those who have pursued their careers in color, I find five common characteristics that stand out:

They have a career vision. Pursuing a career in color demands a vision – a fully developed, rich and inspiring guidepost for your professional future. For those who have not taken this important step, I recommend the article “Creating a Career Vision for Your Life: Envisioning Your Ideal Career,” by Randall S. Hansen, founder of Quintessential Careers. Hansen shares a number of excellent examples of career vision statements that can serve to inspire those who are struggling with this important step. Some of these examples may come across as lofty, but if you want to reach the top of your field, you have to aim high.

Of course, I am under no illusion that running around with our career-vision statements tattooed on our foreheads is the secret to a happy life. Yet, as Lewis Carroll noted, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” I believe most of us would agree that, in the 21st century, a programmed destination and a good GPS make for a much less stressful journey.

They have a genuine passion for their work. Whether natural or nurtured, passion for one’s work feeds enthusiasm, curiosity, lifelong learning, and other factors that help make careers fulfilling. Having ardor and zeal for what occupies so much of our time can’t help but make the ups and downs of daily life more palatable. Passion drives personal growth and innovation. It fuels success. It builds leadership by inspiring those around us. And enthusiasm for work can be contagious.

They are determined and patient. The partner of passion is determination — the willingness to stick to a goal and not be deterred by setbacks. Combined with patience, it helps you to keep going through the tough times. It’s helpful to remember that career success came late to some of the greats, such as Charles Darwin, who was 50 when On the Origin of Species was first published, and Julia Child, who was 39 when her first cookbook was released and 51 when she made her television debut as The French Chef. And, as I often joke, I was 50 years old when I finally landed my first job with a Big Four accounting firm.

They are willing to take risks. Career coaches urge young people to find what they love before choosing a career path, but life sometimes gets in the way. People who pursue their careers in color may not find their calling before heading into the work world, but they are willing to take risks to pursue their passion when they ultimately determine what it is.

They maintain perspective and balance. While this post is all about nurturing passion for one’s vocation, I am not suggesting that life should be all about work. Those who successfully pursue a career in color often also pursue their lives in color. They understand they must strike a balance between work and home, career and family, and occupational demands and personal health.

Pursuing a career in color isn’t easy. It demands focus, determination, hard work, persistence, and the willingness to bounce back from setbacks. It may be easier to settle for a career in black and white, but I find greater rewards in battling with passion than in surrendering to safety.

In a perfect world, your career would be the intersection of your passion and your skills, but those two do not always coincide. It is in your hands to pursue your career in color and strive for the ideal situation where you do what you love and love what you do.