The Framing of Your Life (cont)

Passions - Examine your work, and what you do with your leisure time. What happens when you have a good day at work? Is it when you get to work with other people? Make presentations? Write or create new processes or tools? Whatever it is, examine the possibilities of making that a greater part of your existing job, talking to your supervisor about the possibilities of getting another job that has more of this desirable content, or - go for it - put yourself on the job market for a job that more closely matches your passions. Make a change like this, and the separation between your "work" and your "life" will narrow. Next thing you know, the segmentation of your life - weekdays vs weekends - goes away as well! Similarly, examine what you do when you have leisure time. Can this become part of your work? Even golf as a hobby has potential if you "frame" it correctly. No we aren't suggesting that all of you can change your name to Lion Forrest and make ooddles of money playing golf! However, passionate hackers should look at what they enjoy about the golfing experience - being outdoors?; interacting with others?; (what do you discuss on the course - is it a marketable item or experience you have?); groundskeeping? (we personally spend a lot of time repairing the grass!). Think through this, you may surprise yourself with the answers.

Fulfillment - No, we aren't proposing something like folding your legs, chanting, and "trying to achieve nirvana". The question for this area of your life examination is, "What makes me feel as if I have accomplished something meaningful?" Picture a day when you felt as if you "made a difference". Was it a result of a work product? Some aspect of participating in a family event or activity? Did you have the opportunity to help someone out? An examination of what you find fulfilling, and incorporating that into your work will inherently change your attitude, in fact, it will change your life!.

Growth - A primary factor in where you are today is where you started from, and what path you chose. Many people choose a path correctly, others do not. Either way, an examination of that path, and its ability to properly allocate your time, allow you to pursue your passions, and seek fulfillment is fundamental to determining "Should I be happy?"

People understand there are changes and growth points in their lives because of the societal norms that exist. Graduating from college, deciding to get married, having children are all points of obvious change and growth. What many do not expect or foresee however is that a job choice or life path can become stale and can lose meaning. Moving up the company ladder was once very exciting and challenging; it now is monotonous and filled with politics that keeps you up at night. This doesn't mean you are weaker, it means you have GROWN. A recognition of this, and an adjustment of direction, expectations and priorities can lead to a change that will alter your perspective. You will grow, and new avenues can exist for you to explore. These questions are simple to read and understand. However, they are hard to answer if one truly tries to answer them completely. Look at these again, write down your answers, share them with someone. Have the courage to believe your answers and do something about them. Then the question will become not "Should I be happy?", but "Why have I gone so long allowing myself to be so unhappy?"!

Bob McGannon is a Founder and Principal of MINDAVATION, a motivational speaking, team building and leadership coaching company. MINDAVATION can be reached via the web at WWW.MINDAVATION.COM or by calling 877-544-MIND.