Talane’s Blog of the Week, August 27, 2007

A Classic Tip from Talane . . .
Do Work You Love
Excerpted from bestselling book Coach Yourself to Success by Talane Miedaner

Some people seem to be born knowing what their natural gifts and talents are, and they know exactly what they want to do in life. I was a bit jealous of these people because I was born with a strong sense of purpose, feeling that there was something important I was supposed to do, but no clue as to what that might be. I was pretty good at a lot of different things but not so extraordinarily good at any one thing. It just wasn't obvious what I was supposed to do.

No one attracts success more than someone who is doing what he or she loves to do. When you are doing what you love, your eyes sparkle, you are happy and excited about life, you are full of energy and joy. You feel satisfied, content, turned on. Given all this, why don't we do what we love? It is perverse how much time we spend doing what we don't love to do. The latest research indicates that 50 percent of the western world is in the wrong job. Given the amount of complaining I hear at parties, this seems to be a fairly accurate assessment. And I used to be one of those complainers.

The happiest people get paid for doing what they love. But don't wait to be paid before you start. You may never get paid so you had better start now, or you'll go through your whole life without experiencing the joy that comes from doing something you thoroughly enjoy. Doing what you love rejuvenates you; it gives you more energy than it requires. The people around you will love you more because you are relaxed and happy, and that positive energy will rub off on them.