Love and Work really do go together.
Loving what you do that is. Because when you aren’t doing what you love, there’s a good chance people can see it. It comes out in your attitude. It comes out in the quality of your work.
It comes out at job interviews, too. 
You go to an interview feeling lukewarm about your job prospect. You can’t find genuine enthusiasm for the position or the company or the co-workers. It’s likely that your ambivalence comes across in your energy, your facial expression, or your words.
Would you take a job doing something you don’t really, really love doing?
Perhaps you have taken a job doing something you don’t love, with people you don’t connect with, at a company whose mission or purpose doesn’t jibe with your interests or values.
If so, you have an idea how that scenario plays out.
In my experience, it doesn’t go very well. When I reflect on jobs that I quit or jobs that ended badly in firing or being laid off, I see a pattern: a lack of alignment – with my values, with my skills, with my “tribe”.
Before you balk at the notion of LOVING YOUR WORK, try this simple prompt. Set a timer for two minutes and write down what you love doing. Yes, use the word LOVE. Imagine yourself in a work setting and dip into what brings you satisfaction, joy, what gets your interest, what moves you. This exercise can be illuminating and sobering. The point is to get at what gets you interested and what fulfills you, to open the door to work as a place where you do what you love and not where you go through the motions and get by.
If the list is easy to write, then you are one of the lucky people who KNOW WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO. Good for you! Take your list, print it out and check it against what you are doing and what you’re applying for. Make sure there is a match. When there is a disconnect, heed the warning signs and focus on doing what you truly enjoy doing!
Perhaps you are in the camp of people who DON’T feel the LOVE. You may rarely feel wholehearted enthusiasm for anything or find the notion of love and work farfetched. For you, it’s important to focus on what you want to do more of and what you want to do less of. It’s important to create a super sharp list of criteria about what you want in a job. It’s also important to pay attention to what absorbs your interest and energy. For example, if you find yourself putting lots of time into creating systems, look for work with that focus. If you need to exercise your brain, make sure you are seeking out positions that are mentally-challenging and stimulating. If you need to interact with people, make sure your jobs involve speaking, coaching, teaching, etc.
You may be in a third camp: people who LOVE TOO MANY THINGS and can’t choose that one thing. For you, there are a few important tasks. One is to rank what you love doing and focus on your top choices. As you look for work, stay true to your highest priorities. In addition, look at your work criteria, your “must haves” and your “deal breakers”. Keep your sights on what is most important for your satisfaction and say no to positions and companies that don’t meet your standards.
All told, remember to include your heart (and your gut) in your job search. A fit has to feel right to last!