Do 'Love and Work' go together?
By Helen Patterson
At Life Works Well, we believe that true fulfillment is possible when you merge your passions with your professional pursuits. It’s why “Love and Work” by Marcus Buckingham was a natural fit for our new with heart book circle series, where reading, work, love and connection unite.
Our book circle will focus on books that can enhance our personal growth, professional development, and bring a whole-hearted approach to life and work.
Why “Love and Work”?
In Love and Work, Buckingham flips the traditional script that treats work as a necessity and love as a luxury. Instead, he shows that recognizing what excites you—and tapping into those “red threads” in your daily tasks—can transform both your career and your sense of purpose. Through personal stories and a lifetime of research, Buckingham illustrates that we do our best work when it resonates with our unique interests and natural strengths.
Key Takeaways
Identify Your “Red Threads.” Pay attention to activities that spark joy or capture your curiosity. These spark points might guide you toward your highest contribution and greatest satisfaction.
Lead with Your Strengths. Buckingham’s work echoes his well-known strengths philosophy: building on what you already excel at is more impactful than trying to correct every weakness.
Practical Steps to Align “Love” with “Work.” Throughout the book, readers find prompts, tools, and real-world examples that help bridge the gap between theory and everyday application.
Reflections from Our Life Works Well Book Circle
At Life Works Well, we continually evolve with our heart offerings and believe that each of us has unique gifts to offer so this book aligned really well with two of our values, harmony and energy.
We have always believed focusing on what we love to do impacts our well-being and will lead to more meaningful work. We had four meet-ups so we could dive deeper into the content of the book and we explored Buckingham’s ideas within our supportive community.
At each book circle there are different people who arrive and share their insights, experiences, strategies, and those lightbulb moments that happen when you are guided by another’s words in reading. We also all realized you really can do more of what you love.
Here’s what a few participants had to say:
“I always thought I had to just ‘grit through’ my job. This book helped me see that I can redesign aspects of my role to focus on what truly energizes me.”
“Buckingham’s call to follow my ‘red threads’ has given me a roadmap for my next career move. I feel less stuck and more inspired.”
“As a manager, I’m excited to help my team uncover their strengths and find ways to integrate them into our projects. It’s a win-win!”
“The book reminds me of the concept of Ikigai (and the book) to find your purpose”
“When we focus on our strengths and loves, it doesn’t feel like work, and we can move to flow”
“Focusing on the importance of finding one’s passion and not getting distracted by external expectations is key, and the book’s holistic approach applies to various aspects of life and work”
Putting It into Practice
Whether you’re contemplating a career shift or simply looking to enjoy your current work more, Love and Work offers actionable insights. Here are a few ways to start:
Daily Journaling: Spend a few minutes each day noting moments of genuine interest and excitement. Over time, patterns will emerge that point toward your most fulfilling activities.
Open Communication: Talk to your manager or team about tasks that motivate you. Collaboration can often unlock more opportunities for meaningful work.
Seek Small Wins: Even if a complete career shift isn’t in the cards right now, look for volunteer projects or side gigs that let you explore your passions.
Join us for with heart book circles
If Buckingham’s message resonates with you, we’d love for you to join our upcoming “With Heart” Book Circles at Life Works Well. These gatherings are designed to foster connection, reflection, and a supportive environment where you can explore the ideas that spark growth. To learn more or sign up, follow us on LinkedIn or IG or please reach out—we’ll continue weaving more of what we love into the work we do.
At Life Works Well, we’re convinced that a life of purpose is within reach when you blend passion with profession. Let Love and Work be your guiding light—and let our community help as you discover and nurture those threads that ignite your best self.