In my 20 years of work experience (yes, I’m counting the newspaper route and walking the neighborhood shoveling snow); I have worked in many sectors through part-time and full-time employment. My experience includes: delivering newspapers, washing dishes, roofing, custodial work, landscaping, ice delivery, and public and nonprofit sector work. One piece of workplace advice is usually the same, leave your negative baggage at the door. I have come to realize this advice is rarely followed. What I tend to see instead, is people leaving energy and passion at the door – a very deadly combination. If you’re showing up with negativity and you’re not bringing the energy and passion, you’re likely not productive. You’re likely toxic.

Now, I will acknowledge, everyone has bad days. There are highs and lows throughout a year. But I challenge you to analyze how you are showing up. For me, I usually show up like an F5 tornado. I know this can be abrasive to some, especially to those who are bordering on toxic. But, being someone very passionate and driven in my work, by showing up in full-force I’m being authentic to who I am. If you spend Sunday into Monday dreading your work week, it is a sign. If you can’t change your environment, aka your employment, you can change your attitude and approach. Do this and you will have more positive results.

A few tips on how to show up with passion:

Remember your why!

Why are you working this job? Is it something you love to do and are passionate about? Great, then remember that why. Is it to provide for yourself or your family? Great, then remember that why. Whatever the reason, don’t forget, on some level that job is fulfilling a need you have.

Remember, you are on stage!

Yes, you are on stage! And like a Broadway musical, the audience is judging your performance. If the audience is your supervisor, manager, or CEO, what do you want them to take away? I’m not saying to put on an act or not be genuine. I’m saying, be happy and find opportunities to let your true personality shine. In short, don’t be Stanley, unless you can be vacation Stanley (remember that episode). Try to be a hybrid version of Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Michael. Find strengths and passion in the various aspects of your skills and/or personality.  I apologize if you don’t get The Office reference.

Happiness is the key to greatness!

Does being happy mean you are passionate? No. Yet, if you are unhappy at work, I know you are not able to be passionate. If you are showing up unhappy or dreading work, it’s time to do a gratitude inventory. It’s time to make a list of all the reasons you’re grateful for your job, and only focus on that list.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – William Arthur Ward

In my time working in various environments I have never heard, “they are too passionate.” I have heard, “they are negative”, “they are toxic”, or “they are phoning it in.” I love when people ask, how much coffee have you had? That means I’m showing up, giving my passion, and living my core values. As I always say, passion plus purpose equals electricity. It’s time to find your electricity again! Bring the energy inside and leave the negativity outside.