Andrew Harrison is the author of Love Your 84,000 Hours at Work: Stories on the Road from People with Purpose and Passion, which chronicles people from around the United States who love their careers and how they came to find them.
His travels (www.iamontheroad.com) have taken him over three years, 75,000 miles and 145 one-on-one interviews. “The journey has been the most incredible thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he says. “It has changed my life.” His first book, “Love Your 84,000 Hours at Work: Stories On the Road From People With Purpose and Passion,” explains what he’s learned from his travel experiences interviewing passionate people about their life, job and career path.
Harrison is called “The Seeker” because he left a six figure job to travel the country interviewing people passionate about their work and life. After 95,000 miles and 145 interviews, his journey and the stories of those he met on the road inspire people to live their life to the fullest. He can be reached at www.84000hours.com
We’re interviewing Andrew on the radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Network, broadcasting this Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 9am PST. Tune in live via (347) 205-9038 or streaming audio: The Passions and Possibilities Radio Show
Andrew’s Passiongraphy Q&A:
SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?
Loving your life.
SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?
Once I truly believed that there were passionate people in the world, I dedicated my life to becoming one of them. The road has not been an easy one, but because I had a vision for where I wanted to go, I was able to sacrifice and overcome obstacles. By meeting and interviewing passionate people, I have been able to integrate their experiences and views into my own life – and then share them with others. I think the word that best describes my journey is Perseverance.
SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?
In the book, one of my interviewees talks about listening to your gut, rather than your ego. That is easier said than done. In the United States, material things (ego) can cause us to work at jobs we don’t love. The societal pull of “doing what you are supposed to do” has been a big challenge. I was supposed to be happy with the money and the lifestyle I had. Instead, I addressed the challenge by not listening to society and going with my gut. Now society is opening its ears to me, my passionate interviewees, and the message of loving your 84,000 hours at work.
SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?
I was living the supposed “good life” of a lot of money and time, but it was also an unfulfilled life. After struggling with feeling like something was missing, I decided to look for my answers. Some say I took a big risk; I say it was a risk that had to be taken. What inspired me to go for it? Other passionate people. Once I knew they were out there, I knew I had to become one of them. It turns out meeting passionate people and sharing their stories is my purpose and passion.
SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” – Thoreau
SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?
He lived his life to the fullest and he helped other people live their lives to the fullest.
SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?
Step 1: Know that without a doubt, there are people who love their work.
Step 2: Know that without a doubt, you can become one of them.
Step 3: To get to where you want to go; figure out who you are, what motivates you, what doesn’t, what you value and what your vision for your life is. Once you have a vision, you can create a plan and start working the plan.













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