Passion...a best practice that just happens...

There are so many best practices out there...just check out the career section in Barnes & Nobles. You could spend a fortune in that couple of shelves, but, can you just execute them? Is it easy to take what you read and turn it into reality overnight, in a month, in a year?

I truly believe that if you love what you do, people will see that and want to be part of whatever it is you are participating in. That love that you show whether you want to or not boils down to PASSION.

Passion is:any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
:a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.

Think about the last big project you did and did well. Did you complete it becuase you had to do it, someone put a deadline on the end, OR did you excell because you believed in that project??

People always ask what I am passionate about. I always have to laugh, blush, and think for a moment because I am not quite sure if there is an easy way to sum all of that up. When I think about my past; teaching, pre-schools, restaurants, the bakery...what was I passionate about?

I think that in the past it was knowing that I was there providing a service for people whether it was teaching them ABC's or what kind of filling in a Boston Creme donut. Passing along something that I knew was rewarding at the end of the day because I went home knowing that whom ever was better off for having spent time with me that day.

Right now I have to say that I am passionate about my job. I know this because there is one particular part of my job, be it Human Resources or Training that I don't enjoy. It is easy for me to sometimes put myself on the shelf while I take care of the needs or functions of our restaurants. It is so easy for me to not be selfish because of the people I work with, how we all interact, and at the end of the day-we all have the same goal...make money, keep the guest happy and do it all over again tomorrow. We are a large team who all shares in those simple ideas, this is why I am passionate about my job.

Day one, new Managers are starting with us, a new career, a new start, a new chance. Every week I get a heartfelt 'thank you, it was awesome. Thanks for giving your day to us. I can't wait to work you again soon. ' I always smile and reply back with, 'My pleasure, I am just doing my job.'

I am just doing my job, but what is important is that I am doing my job with Passion. That passion is seen by the people I work with as well as new people starting with us. If I did an okay job at the end of the day I wouldn't see in those people's eyes that they believe in our comapny, it's vision, and their future with us. I wouldn't be asked my opinion on topics, or asked to sit on councils that make decisions for the company based on a cross section of people. I would sit in my cube, do my work, turn off the desk light at the end of the day and go home feeling empty. Empty because I didn't make an impact, I wasn't helpful, I didn't do anything for the greater good of the company.

Because I have a passion for my job I am respected by everyone and considered part of the company's vision and goal. I am there adding value everyday and doing what is asked because I know I am the person to get it done.

That to me would be the best most practical 'best practice' ever....PASSION