The simple answer is yes. An employee who is passionate about their work, and is able to see the purpose behind even their simplest of tasks, is known to be both happier and more productive at work.

A career in big law can be overwhelming at times — long hours, demanding tasks, continual stress — yet so many find passion in the work that they make a career out of it for decades. My job as a legal recruiter is to not only find you a position that pays the bills, but to place you at a firm that ignites your passion for law and gives purpose to your work so you are able to feel fulfilled and satisfied at the end of the day.

But what does having passion for your work look like? As a concept, “passion” can often be a misunderstood or exaggerated ideal—it doesn’t always come forth as a burning fire or sweeping song. So, not to worry, if you aren’t emotionally gripped by every piece of paper that passes your desk, that does not necessarily mean you lack passion. Passion can paradoxically be both subtler and bigger than that.

Simply put, passion in work stems from caring—caring about the bigger picture (and consequently smaller picture) work you’re doing and being personally invested in or motivated by its mission. When you have passion for your work, it becomes easier to focus on your tasks and remind yourself that the late nights and long lists of to-dos are worth it. Keeping your end goal in mind is essential to sparking this passion.

Maybe your goal is to build a house or take your family on a nice vacation. Maybe you see your work as an act of service, an opportunity to make a difference and improve the lives of others. Your goal doesn’t always have to be specific to the task at hand, but when you have a clear vision for what you’re working towards, the path forward becomes illuminated and you’re able to create impact through your daily actions.

As a personal example, I knew that my faith and family were always going to be my top priorities. I wanted to be successful in work, but I truly wanted a career that would allow me to prioritize those things that I hold most valuable. Understanding these goals and priorities, I was able to create a vision for GGPAAS Recruiting and am now able to help other men and women do the same, in whatever area of big law they may be pursuing.

My passion for mentoring colleagues both personally and professionally allows me to show up to work each day fueled with purpose, making me successful in my job.

Does passion actually affect the quality of my work?

How to know when it’s time to consider something new. Allowing your “why” to drive your success.

The Nitty Gritty Details of Work/Life Integration