Have you ever noticed the enthusiasm of children on a playground?  They exhibit a true zest for life.  The picture on this blog post is my granddaughter Lily going down a slide at Chittenango Falls (fond memories in my past) and she and her sisters had a great time on the playground.  

How many adults do you see who demonstrate a zest for life?  Think about your life – when are you the most focused and productive?  It is when you’re performing in an area of your strengths and you enjoy what you’re doing. 

Marcus Buckingham references a Gallup poll that asked, “Are you in a job in which you’re able to use your strengths?”  How would you respond to that question?  What is your estimate how people responded?  Shockingly only 17 % indicated that they were in a job in which they consistently use their strengths.   What does that say about productivity?  If you’re not working in an area of your strengths then you’re not going to be at your best.  Now I realize that no job is perfect, it’s called “work” for a reason, but that number seems quite low.

Our culture seems confused and we tend to worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.  Life is too short to spend your time doing something that takes away your zest for life.  Passion for life is not about making a lot of money or achieving status – it’s much more than that.  The Apostle Paul, in spite of his difficult circumstances, penned these words,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4)

Paul wrote this from a prison cell – but he never lost his zest for life!  How about you?  What will help you renew your zest for life?  Here are two principles you may find helpful:

1.  Work in the area of your strengths.  This is your sweet spot.  Work in an area where you can exclaim, “This is what I was born to do!”    It’s been said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

2.  Work in an area that gives you a sense of purpose.  When you are making the world a better place and helping to improve society your zest for life increases.

May you experience joy in your life and work!  What have you found that gives you zest for life?