Reposted from Tim Richardson

A Lesson in Passion-Filled Longevity

Not every job or every show is easy, but the best work has something deeper behind it - purpose. Chicago’s performance was a reminder of what sustained passion can look like over time. That contrast became even clearer when I thought about the people I have spoken with recently who are feeling disconnected from their work.

Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing the band, not the show, Chicago, perform for the second time. They were different from most performances we have seen in the last decade or so. They made the experience exceptional in a number of ways: The band played for nearly two and a half hours and returned for two encore songs. They encouraged people to stand up and dance in the aisles. They tossed branded Chicago items into the audience. They offered a pre-show experience for their biggest fans. They stayed afterward to sign items people had left on the stage. They allowed fans to video and audio record without limitation, which is almost unheard of today. Some performers do some of these things, but it’s rare that today’s performers do all of these things, and do it while demonstrating how much they love their fans. Perhaps the most amazing thing I learned about Chicago is that they have averaged about 100 shows a year for nearly 60 years. Even more remarkable, until recently, three original members – Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow – were still performing. Let that sink in: more than 55 years on the road, traveling from city to city across North America and the world. That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It comes from passion, discipline, and a deep connection to purpose.

In the last week, I have spoken with a couple of people in the professional world who are burned out. Just this morning, I talked with a blue-collar worker who has used a lot of vacation and personal days because his work feels empty and unsatisfying.

That is not unusual. That is where the pause matters. A pause gives us time to ask: Do I still care? Do I still believe in what I am doing? Am I simply enduring, or am I engaged in something that gives me energy? The band Chicago seems to have answered that question for nearly six decades. The great news? So can you and I. But it has to start with love. Work is easier when you love it. And while every job has its difficult moments, at some level you need to love what you do – or at least connect deeply enough to its purpose to keep going with intention. Maybe it’s time to fall in love with what you do and to share that love with your colleagues and customers. Or maybe you need a dose of Chicago to remind you that passion matters.

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