There is nothing more fulfilling than loving your job. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning, and the time you spend at work feels meaningful and worthwhile. In the words of Eric Thomas: “No alarm clock needed. My passion wakes me.” On the other hand, if you are less than enthusiastic about your work, it could be because you are losing your passion.

Passion and Kindness

Of the many qualities a customer service professional needs to be successful, two of the most important are passion and kindness. So, losing your enthusiasm will not only negatively affect your work, but it will also affect the customers you serve. And as we know, if customers aren’t satisfied, they will take their business elsewhere!

Rekindle Your Passion

It’s important to find out what’s causing your energy to wane and then find ways to rekindle your spark before it’s too late. And what better time to rekindle, than during this revitalizing time of year?

“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.” – Jessica Harrelson

So let the beauty, energy and atmosphere of rejuvenation that comes with Spring help you to renew on all levels. 

Ways to Renew Your Passion – At Home and at Work

Consider these tips to help you reset both at work and at home:

1.Take a Break for Self-Care – This may seem obvious, but if you’re overdoing it in your personal or professional life you are bound to run out of steam. If you know you bring value to the table but are just feeling a temporary low, it may make sense to take some guilt-free time off. This is a better option than continuing to run on a near-empty tank. When you come back rested and re-energized, your team and your customers will thank you! And let’s face it: customer service is demanding! So, taking time for consistent self-care is essential for anyone in a customer care role. 

2. Reflect and Reevaluate – If you can take even one day off, use the time to rest, reflect and reevaluate your life and your work. Try to figure out when and how you lost your passion. When journaling you could ask yourself:

• Am I fulfilled in my work?

• Do I receive the respect and recognition I deserve?

• What can I do to grow professionally?

• Am I thriving?

If you answered no to any of these questions, it’s time to do what you can to change your situation.

3. Seek a Challenge – If boredom and professional stagnation is the issue, seeking a new challenge may be just what the doctor ordered. Think of the times you felt most energetic at work. Was it during a special project? Were you part of a great team? Or was there an intense learning curve? Think about what made your heart flutter and find out if you can seek similar situations. Expressing your need for a new challenge with your boss may prompt them to consider new projects or promotions for you. 

4. Explore Training and Education – There are many benefits to taking or renewing customer service training courses, which we have discussed in other blogs. Training will help you jumpstart your career and gain authority in your field.

5. Follow Thought Leaders – One easy way to rekindle your interest is to follow and read books by customer service thought leaders such as Shep Hyken, Jeanne Bliss and Chip Bell.

6. Join Groups – Consider also joining local or online groups that are focused on customer service excellence. This is a great way to discuss any challenges or achievements with like-minded peers.

7. Attend Webinars and Conferences – Take time off to attend events such as conferences, business retreats, workshops, intensives, and webinars – anything that would help you stay up to date on customer service best practices. Attending these events will help you develop professionally, gain new perspectives and make new connections. 

8. Spread Kindness – Fostering a sense of gratitude and a positive connection with others is a major part of enjoying work. Whether you are on the frontline or in a management role, think of ways to spread kindness to your co-workers and celebrate the achievements of others. 

9. Seek Excellence, Not Perfection – Bear in mind that no one is perfect. In the words of Vince Lombardi “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence”. In other words, an attitude of excellence creates a positive flow of energy, whereas over-perfectionism and lack of flexibility can create negative emotions that can lead to low self-esteem and fear.

10. Consider a Change – If you have tried all of the above and you still feel that your workplace isn’t providing the opportunities you need to grow and feel passionate about your work, then it might be time to think about a change. Life is too short to spend it in a role that doesn’t make you feel alive, so think about moving on!

We hope these tips will inspire you to renew or simply reaffirm your passion for customer service. We’ll leave you with another inspiring quote from the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, Meg Whitman:

“Do what you love and success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.”