Life Without Passion is No Life at All
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Every now and again, I like to bring you interviews to give you a new perspective on work happiness. During my study of work happiness I have found that there are many paths to the same goal. Some people believe that loving what you do is a must, while other people believe that relationships are vital to enjoying the work that we do. Interviews are a great way to get out of your own perspective and see what other people are doing to develop their superpowers and live their passions.
Peter Shankman is best know for Help a Reporter Out (HARO). He connects reporters to experts. You can submit a query and within 24 hours have an expert contact you about your question. It’s one of the fastest growing social media services in North America. I’m subscribed to his emails. If you are an expert in the sphere of careers, money, relationships, or whatever you are passionate about then sign up for his list because you’ll be put in contact with reporters that could use your help.
Karl: Do you believe that you must love what you do to be successful? Why?
Peter: If you don’t truly love what you do, how can you be passionate about it? And a life without passion is no life at all.
What was the most difficult part about building your business?
Not listening to the haters.
How do you cultivate work happiness in your career?
It’s all about fun. The day it isn’t, I ask myself what I can change to make it fun. When I start to get “blah” about what I’m doing, I know it’s time to make some changes.
What do you do to help yourself stay motivated and productive?
Skydiving, Triathlons, Running, and BOXING!!
How do you maintain harmony between your working and non-working life?
I don’t have a difference. Work is life, life is work, and it’s ALL fun. Only people who don’t have fun at work need to make the separation. (I’m totally gonna get shit for this answer, I can feel it.)
If you are feeling down, what do you do to lift your spirits?
See #4. Also, cats. 
What is your biggest detriment to work happiness? How do you deal with this issue?
I used to have a girlfriend who was miserable in her job. Nothing I could do could cheer her up and make her realize it was time to move on to a better job. I finally realized I had to move on to a better girlfriend, sadly.
If you could give work happiness advice to someone just starting their own business in 140 characters or less (Twitter style) what would it be?
Life is too short to spend 12 hours a day being miserable.
If you are interested in joining the HARO email updates to help you connect with reporters check out his site and join today.
* It’s Spread-the-Love Day, when I encourage you to spread the word about Work Happy Now. You might:
> Forward the link to someone you think would be interested
> Link to a post on Twitter (follow me @workhappynow)
> Sign up for my FREE 10 Week E-Course and join over 800 people who have already improved their happiness at work. You will also receive a bi-monthly newsletter that gives you great tips and ideas on how to improve your career.
> Put a link to the blog in your Facebook status update
Thanks! I really appreciate any help. Word of mouth is the BEST.
* Enjoyed this interview check out Gretchen’s interview of Mark of BoingBoing. He talks about knitting and iPhones.
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Hi you guys,
Great interview wow to all your motivating activities. My daughter is in San Diego doing a marathon this weekend. Me I’m in a slump with my exercise and work;) This was great to read and love the way you figured out to move on to new girlfriend. Just another example of not being able to change others. Happy Friday!
Hi Tess, Good point. We have to let other be who they are and work on ourselves. The world only changes when we are ready.
Hi Karl and Peter
Fun stuff! The title says it all for me and I SO agree!
Karl, thanks for pointing out Peter and his work, I will definitely be subscribing too!
And Peter, great advice, truly we have to love what we do, because life is too short to sit there and be miserable day in and day out, and even worse making others miserable around us.
… now if I can only convince my sister of this…. I have sent her to this site, I have offered every piece of advice possible and almost 2 years to the day, she is still in a job, she refuses to leave, miserable out of her mind on a weekly basis. I personally don’t get it, but to each his own I guess….
Thanks guys for the great stuff!
I love how Peter stays motivated!! It’s really about stepping away from that daily thing – and doing something else you love…just for fun!! What a great way to get re-energized!
> Work is life, life is work, and it’s ALL fun
Perfect and I agree. I know I give my best by living my values at work and making it all part of the same playground.
I also like “work is life, life is work, and it’s all fun” I’m one of those where my personal/professional life blends, and came to terms with “that’s ok!”
Fun interview, thanks for sharing! (I’ve had great luck with HARO!)