These days, it’s not at all hard to find a blog, article, or social media post encouraging you to “do what you’re passionate about.” They say to quit your job and go after what you love because life is too short, or some variation of that school of thought. And, to a degree, they’re right. Life is too short not to do what you love.

But why should you have to up and quit all you’ve worked so hard for just to find it? What if you knew you could create that kind of passion in what you already do, every day? This isn’t a hokey television commercial. You can create passion and let it lead you. Here’s how:

1. Understand what it means. To be passionate is to have a deep emotional connection with something you believe in or do. What is it you love most about what you do? The people? The products or services? The brand? The opportunities? Discovering or even rediscovering what it is you really love about what you do will help put a face or name to what’s behind your efforts, making it even easier to keep them up.
2. Dedicate yourself to it. Having passion isn’t enough in business. As you well know by now, you have to work hard at it. Finding or knowing what you’re passionate about in your work should give you the drive to do it even better and harder. Just keep that reason at the center of your thoughts and actions.
3. Set boundaries. Being passionate works best when you’re doing what you thoroughly enjoy and are best at. This often means delegating more in order to allow yourself to fully focus on what you do (and love) best, while giving others a chance to do the same.
4. Share it with others. Passion, just like a smile, is contagious. Once you’ve figured all this out and start realizing the benefits, it will be hard to contain. Don’t try; instead, get excited about sharing it with those around you. When you lead by example, others will follow.
5. Find reward. When you find passion in your work, the reward is in itself. Yet, being able to tie reward to performance for others will help them more quickly find their passions in work as well. Remember to look for what motivates individuals, and don’t try to fit everyone into a one-size fits all mold. Passions are unique to the individual, so, too, should the reward be that comes from tapping into and sourcing it to better performance.

“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates and customers.” – Canadian writer, Robin S. Sharma