Let Your Heart Guide Your Career Choices: Nancy Anderson Helps Us "Work With Passion" (Interview)

Nancy Anderson is a career and life consultant based in the San Francisco Bay Area. You're likely familiar with her as the author of the best selling career guide, Work with Passion, How To Do What You Love For a Living (New World Library, 1984, 20th anniversary edition, 2004). To get an idea of what sets Nancy apart, consider how she answers a common career-related question: How can I work with passion if I have kids, a big mortgage and bills to pay? Nancy replies:

Start with small steps: first, be sure that you are not using your kids, the mortgage and bills as excuses for not taking the risks that scare you. Next, set aside time every day to think about when you are happy and productive Make a list of the times when you exceeded others' expectations. No one told you to work harder, you just did it. Maybe you need to work for yourself, or for a smaller organization where you can wear many hats, as opposed to being in a corporation. Keep in mind that finding your niche in work is a process—like Goldilocks, it may take several tries to get it right. Meanwhile, cut back on overhead, throw away your credit cards except for the one you pay off every month, if need be sell the house and move to a less expensive place. Remember, the best example you can give to your children is to do what you love with all your heart and soul. The worst example is to stay in a job or business you hate and complain about it. You don't want your children to blame themselves for your unhappiness.

You can see why I'd want to pose more questions and get more answers from Nancy Anderson.

WATCH VIDEO: Passion Fruit

Nancy sez:

My Conversation With Nancy Anderson

Planet Green: Why do you suppose it is that in a nation that unashamedly calls itself the "land of opportunity,"so many people (most people?) are dissatisfied with their jobs?

Nancy Anderson: That many people are dissatisfied with their jobs has more to do with lack of confidence than it does with living in the United States. For over three decades, people have told me that if they knew what they wanted to do they would do it. Not true. Deep down they are afraid they don't have what it takes to succeed at what they love, so they settle for second best, or blame family obligations, bills, the economy, etc. What they need to do is to take the first step, such as talking with people who are successful at what the individual wants to do. Once they discover they can succeed at the job, business, or creative project that fascinates them—if only they will persevere—then they are happy, even before they reach the goal.

PG: Please explain the role of "passion" in your work.

NA: Passion is an intense feeling that comes straight from the heart. You can't fake love. People know when you care about them and they know when you are just going through the motions. Caring coupled with competence establishes trust with the people you work with and for, clients and customers. A competent, caring person stands out from those who do a job for selfish or monetary gain. Over time, the passionate person becomes virtually recession-proof.

PG: As the economic crisis deepens, has your approach to consulting changed?

NA: My approach is the same, but with more emphasis on the importance of taking responsibility for your future. This is because safety nets like Social Security and dividends may not be there in the decades to come. But crises have a way of focusing attention, so economic uncertainty can help us to confront what we've been avoiding. My work is like the archeologist who after much digging discovers the personal treasure that lies buried beneath the layers of family and cultural conditioning is unaffected by what is going on in the outside world. Finding the authentic self is the goal in life, since then we succeed beyond our fondest hopes.

PG: What might you say to a Planet Green reader who is passionate about the environment but unsure how that could translate into a career?

NA: I would say the same thing I say to everyone: be specific. Don't categorize work as "being passionate about the environment." As stated, that goal is too vague, making it hard for the mind to focus. Instead, break the goal down to the part of the environment that intrigues you. Do you mean your immediate environment—is it clutter-free, clean, and up to date? Do you want everyone's personal environment to be like yours? Or is it your neighborhood, city or town that you you'd like to improve, or a local park? Or do you love to recycle or refurbish things? Being specific helps you to set goals you can reach. For example, some people tell me they want to help the world when it is their own world that needs attention. Start by getting your life in order; then you won't be projecting your needs onto the environment. Finally, think of what you do naturally and well. You don't even have to think about it; you just do it. You may take these strengths for granted, believing that everyone can do what comes easily to you. Do you think clearly, organize, write, talk, or teach? Do you get excited about solving complex problems? Are you mature, down to earth, and fun to be around? If so, your job is to show potential employers, clients, or customers how these strengths can solve their problems. They just happen to be the people who are also concerned about the environment