I was recently in a sales training session with the president of Sun Design, Bob Gallagher. Bob leaned over to me during a short break and said, “This is really your vocation, isn’t it?”  In my most “of course voice” I replied, “Why, yes it is, Bob. Are you just figuring that out?”

If you have been working with me lately, you know that I’ve been paying specific attention and giving enormous value to the development of Emotional Intelligence in Sales and Leadership. Since internal motivation is a key component of Emotional Intelligence, I’ve been asking groups of salespeople to share what they are most passionate about in their work, besides the obvious – making money.  It has been somewhat surprising to me just how quickly and clearly the most successful salespeople are able to name their personal driving motivations.

Think about it – it makes total sense that we will reap greater rewards when we are guided and energized by that which we are most passionate about.  When energized and focused on the pursuit of your passion, even in the most difficult, challenging times, it can feel like you aren’t even really working.  Remember the saying:  “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life”? Well, there’s a great deal of truth to that.

My backyard garden is a simple example.  The time I spend tending it often doesn’t feel like the hard physical work it can be.  It can actually feel like I’m feeding my soul when I’m digging, and tugging, and pruning, and cultivating.  This morning, before the rain set in for the day, I went out and tended the garden while pondering life and business.  The gardening seemed effortless, and I was reminded just how critical it is to first know, and then remember, what motivates your work.

Sometimes my “real job” of consulting and selling can feel like a bit of a heavy grind. There are tasks I just don’t like to do – for example, keeping up with what needs to be scheduled is a real pain to me.  However, there’s seldom a moment, even on a difficult day, when I wouldn’t be energized by strategizing a deal, hearing about the wins of my clients, being there to support them and helping them move toward their ideal vision for their company – that’s what I am most passionate about!

When I work from this place of passion, I seem to say just the right thing at the right time.  I see the real problems and their solutions more clearly. The results come easily, and the effort doesn’t feel burdensome.  Yes, it is clearly a good thing when I’m in tune with my passion. I just wish someone would schedule for me!

What about you? Do you know what, in your work, gives you energy and what doesn’t? Do you know what motivates you and drives you every day? Connect to that at the start of each day and see how your work shifts to feeling effortless and energizing.