Here’s a tough question for you:
Are you settling for success instead of fulfillment?  

Realizing I had achieved “empty success” hit me between the eyes. I settled for success by definition, yet yearned deep down for much more – I wanted fulfillment.

Then I discovered The Passion Test by Janet Bray Attwood.  And everything started to change. The test uncovered a very big, hard-to-swallow truth: I was not following my passions. Heck! I didn’t even know what my true passions were!

Here’s what I learned:
If you are passionate about your work, great! Keep it up. If you hate it, stop doing it. This is easier said than done, I know. But getting up every morning filled with dread for what’s ahead is no way to live – no matter how good the benefits are or how big the pay cheque is. The cost to you is much more. End the self torture, uncover your passions, and go get them.

Now, doing what you love is a dicey subject. Sounds great, however some critics argue that doing what you love as a “job” isn’t ideal. Others think following your passions is a – road. Here’s the thing: There are arguments for living life a thousand different ways. The one constant and one for sure thing is that if you’re happy, you’ve made it. So if doing work feeds your passions and your soul, do that.

Although finding my passions and going after them was life changing for me, I’m a realist – bills needs to get paid and kids need to eat. And sometimes responsibility trumps passion. That said, just because you have to earn a living in a dispassionate way to make ends meet (for now), doesn’t mean you throw your passions out the window! No way. Hello, side project! Always do the things you’re passionate about. In whatever capacity.

Do you really love what you do?

Many of my clients say to me: “I love what I do!”
However, when I start asking questions, they soon come to realize that they’re just trying to convince themselves that this is the life and career they want. They’ve settled.

So, how do you know if you are settling?

Ask your self:

• Why do I work here?
• Am I excited about getting out of bed Monday mornings?
• Do I watch the clock all day?
• When Friday comes, am I dying for the day to be done?
• How do I feel after every day?
• Is my job causing stress?

Have the courage to answer these honestly and paint yourself an honest picture of your life right now.

Good news: You are allowed to want more.

You are allowed to change what you are doing. I know that it sounds easy yet I know it is not. I still have one foot in my mortgage company and one in my passion. It took me a while but I have found the balance and, as a result, can honestly say that I am no longer settling.

If you want different, you have to do different. Start making a plan!! You only have one life. No more settling!!