Passion@ work – what is your passion for 2008 ?    Shivani Gupta

This is the time of the year when one starts to reflect on the year. The achievements; the failures and more importantly this spurts us on to think about what we want to achieve next year, 2008. Whether you work part time or full time; run your own business or work for someone else, we spend a lot of time at work or thinking about our work.There is always something we are not happy with whether it is big or small.  Someone who is really annoying us.  The boss who doesn’t quite understand you and your needs.  The staff member that wants your job.  And then there are the clients!  How often do you stop and think about what is working well?  How often do you say thanks for what you have.  And I don’t mean in a religious sense.  I mean just say – wow !  I am really lucky.

I spent two weeks in India in October of this year.  It was a time for reflection and growth for me.  I saw  kids living in cardboard boxes.  Although I was born in India and had been back several times, the scene still shocked me to my core.  I realised how lucky I am!  I said lots of thanks for my home, the safety, the food –things I don’t have to think about. This time of year when you think about your work – it is also time to say thanks.  Perhaps for a bonus, a promotion, better staff or a staff member that was not very nice that finally left. 

The next thing is to get clear about where you want to go next year:

 > What are your goals? 

 > Look at the goals in other aspects of your life – relationships; finances; travel etc. 

 > When it comes to work goals – ask yourself the question what you are feeling passionate about? 

 > What does passion@work look like for you in 2008?

Is it the same role?  The same company?  What work would you be doing if money was no object in 2008?  What sort of work will fulfil you.  For this you need some ‘’time out’’ to reflect.

We tell our children time out when they have done something naughty – what we really want them to do in that time is reflect on their behaviour and look at changing it.  If we don’t call time out with them, they don’t get a chance to reflect.  But who calls time out to you as the adult for you to stop and reflect on aspects of your work and life that you would like to be working better?  No one.  So you must put some time away for this.
Some things I find help are – reading books that may inspire an idea; doing some journaling of ideas; sitting quietly at a spot that you find really relaxing like the beach or a garden.  Just stop and let ideas, thoughts surface that need to come up.

The end of the year is also a time to celebrate to realise how far you have come this year.  I make a list of all the things I have achieved and then I do a list with my partner who this year became my husband so that wonderful event will make the list of things we achieved as a couple this year. When you look at that list, you realise how many amazing things you did.  How brave you were at different times and celebrate all of these.

About Shivani

She has worked with over 100 national companies in all states of Australia, including 6 of the Top 10 (Forbes Nov 2006). Shivani has been the recipient of many awards including the Telstra Young Business Women, Achiever of the Year for Enterprising Women Awards; finalist in the Hunter Leadership Awards and in 2005 was named an honorary member of the Golden Key Society for her work with Universities that includes honorary members such as Bill Clinton and Ian Thorpe.

Shivani has and continues to contribute to several boards. Shivani has also written articles for national publications, including the Law Review. She is the author of Passion@ work.  Shivani is presenting a four part business series on SBS based on the UK hit series ‘’Risking it All’’ on start up businesses.  She is challenging, inspiring and transforming.

Order your copy of Passion@ work by downloading the form, or visit the website 

Visit Shivani's website: http://www.shivani.com.au/Home.aspx