What Do You Want to Do?

We have to move away from a culture of “have-to” and pivot, dramatically, toward a culture of “want to”.

This is the message I’m sharing with my team at Proof as we start the new year. It’s not about preaching resolutions, but rather, motivation to see our work through a different lens.

The question, then, is undoubtedly, “What do I want to do?” As we think about the idea of doing what you love and pursuing your passions – it’s easy to get hung up on the ambiguity of what exactly that passion – that burning fire – is. But it’s actually a lot simpler to tap into than you think.

The question you have to answer is: What do I want to do? 

Of course there are things we all have to do. We have to show up. We have to communicate. We have to hit deadlines. But what about the things we want to do?

What about earning a client’s trust? What about designing something beautiful? What about earning a referral? What about making a customer smile? What you want to do requires you to take a good look at why you got into the business you’re in.

What you do and how you do is deeply rooted in why you do it.

So why are you here? What do you want to do? What lights you up? What do you take the most pride in?

In our professional lives – and in our personal ones, “What do I want to do?” is a question that demands a confident answer. Whether you want to design logos or build out your kitchen, go back to school for a higher degree or paint – whatever it is you want to do is what needs to be done.

A job is just a job if that’s what you make it. A life will fall into a routine that leaves you feeling stuck, if you let it. Regardless of the situation you now find yourself in, friends – you can always tap into and make room for doing what you love.

So, what do you want to do?