If you are already doing something to make a difference, is it a great fit for you or is it drudgery? Or is it just somewhere between a great fit and drudgery?
Drudgery
Drudgery is when you do something even though you don’t really want to do it. Maybe it seems like you should enjoy it. In fact, maybe it’s the guilt that makes you keep on with it. Maybe you liked it at first, but it’s worn on you over time. Now you have to kind of force yourself to do it.
Volunteer work or charity work can end up being drudgery. For me, serving on almost any committee is drudgery. Basically, I dread it, so I don’t serve on committees anymore. And I will not allow myself to be “guilted” into doing projects that aren’t a great fit for me. Like I explained before, I know what to say “no” to because I know what to say “yes” to.
The Right Fit
When something is the right fit, it lights you up. You do it gladly because it’s satisfying for you and is in line with your strengths and passions. The work may not be easy, but you know it’s worthwhile. You find it energizing. It’s an authentic expression of who you are because it’s a reflection of what’s important to you.
Doing seminars where we have the opportunity to change lives lights me up. Even though we’re tired when a seminar is done, we are pumped. Similarly, I love when I get to enlighten people on their impact on me. I trust that if they are having an unintended impact on me, they are likely impacting other people in the same way. Giving that kind of feedback to people who are actually open to it is a great fit for me.
Somewhere in Between
Maybe you don’t dread what you do to make a difference but it doesn’t light you up either. Over time, this type of activity will wear on you. It can drain your precious time and energy that you could be putting toward something that actually is a great fit for you instead.
More Options than You Realize
I have found over and over that when people get in touch with their passions and use one of those passions to make their own unique positive impact, that there are tons of options to make it happen. People tend to jump to a solution without first getting clear on what they want to make different. They go with the first idea that comes to mind. That option might not be a great fit. If they continue, that work can quickly turn into drudgery.
If you want to experience a taste of what it’ll be like to use your passion to make a real difference, our Life Impact Academy 101: Shift will be perfect for you. Following are the upcoming dates and links for more information and to register.
Tuesday, June 26
6-9 PM
Holiday Inn Express in Roseville
Friday, July 29
6-9 PM
Online
For now, the event is only $25. It’s a great first step in getting in touch with your passion and using it to make a difference. And that’s a whole lot better than doing something that’s drudgery to you. You deserve to have something that’s a great fit for you and that really lights you up!
