By: Christina Olivarria, MSPM, PMP, HACP, LBBP

In the spirit of the month of love, I’ve been reflecting on the many relationships that matter most to me. One relationship that often gets overlooked but deserves just as much care and intention is the one we have with our work.

On average, we spend about a third of our lives working. Put into numbers, that’s roughly 90,000 hours of paid work over a lifetime—about 10–11 years of continuous, 24/7 time. I don’t know about you, but I personally find it hard to do the same thing for an hour, let alone 90,000.

Infusing passion and purpose into our work is critical—not only to feeling fulfilled as human beings, but also to consistently showing up as our best selves in whatever career path we choose.

Over the years, three skills have helped me approach each day with a fiery dedication to my work—one that keeps me energized and, I hope, helps ignite passion in others as well: continuous curiosity, infusing play and fun, and the ability to reframe situations. Let’s explore each of them.

Continuous Curiosity

One of Yellow Brick’s core values is Lifelong Learning, which aligns deeply with my personal mantra of continuous improvement and exploration. A natural curiosity, a desire to learn from peers and mentors, and a willingness to challenge the status quo have all supported my ability to stay engaged and inspired by the work we do.

“Stale” and “stagnant” are two words that quickly drain my energy—both in work and in life. Because of that, I’m constantly evaluating new and different practices my peers are experimenting with, whether internally or externally. This doesn’t mean change for the sake of change—in fact, I’m not a fan of that at all. What I do advocate for is out-of-the-box thinking, especially in a field as dynamic and rapidly evolving as healthcare. Continuous curiosity allows us to ask better questions, uncover smarter solutions, and stay energized by possibility instead of becoming overwhelmed by routine.

One of the things I love most about my current role is the opportunity to support and mentor my team. I regularly meet with my assigned staff on a consistent cadence, listening to and helping them navigate challenges or questions they’re working through on their projects. For those early in their careers, witnessing their “firsts”—milestones, scheduling challenges, or navigating team dynamics—reminds me of how I felt during that stage and reinvigorates my love for the work. I enjoy seeing how they arrive at solutions and am always proud to watch them reach their goals.

Additionally, each month I challenge myself to read or listen to professional development books or podcasts. Evaluating how I can incorporate best practices, relevant research, or even laugh at shared experiences helps me stay current—and gives me insights I can share with others or apply in my role. Some of my recent favorites include:

• Permission to Screw Up – Kristen Hadeed
• Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek
• Strong Ground – Brené Brown
• The Next Conversation – Jefferson Fisher
• Before Breakfast Podcast

Infusing Play and Fun

Passion thrives where joy exists. While work is serious, meaningful, and often complex, that doesn’t mean it has to be rigid or joyless.

Infusing play and fun into the workday—whether through humor, creativity, collaboration, or experimentation—creates space for innovation and connection. Some of my best ideas have emerged not from formal meetings, but from moments of laughter, brainstorming, or informal conversation with colleagues.

Play encourages psychological safety. It gives people permission to take risks, voice ideas, and show up authentically. When teams genuinely enjoy working together, energy becomes contagious—and that energy fuels both productivity and purpose.

Finding small ways to bring fun into your day can make a big difference. For me, that might look like throwing on a favorite playlist while tackling a tedious task (packet assembly for a big event), encouraging shoutouts—or snaps—at the end of long days to reflect on the positives, or stepping out together after work to break bread, grab a burger, or my personal favorite: trying the best local ice cream.

The Power of Reframing

Not every day—or project—is going to feel inspiring. That’s reality. This is where the ability to reframe becomes essential.

Reframing doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending everything is positive. It means choosing to view obstacles through a different lens. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to my project?” we ask, “What can this teach me?” or “How can this experience support my growth as a professional?”

Some of my most meaningful growth has come from moments of discomfort, failure, or uncertainty. As a non-clinician supporting healthcare teams, I have struggled at times with finding my place. As a recovering perfectionist, not having all the answers—or knowing all the terminology—was especially difficult early on. What helped me move through this was shifting my focus away from what I lacked and toward what I did exceptionally well, customer relationships with a service forward attitude!

Leading with empathy—especially for others navigating similar challenges—has served me well as I now support the growth of many team members. Perspective is powerful. When we change how we see a situation, we often change how we experience it.

Keeping the Spark Alive

Finding purpose in our work isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s an ongoing practice. Continuous curiosity keeps us learning, play keeps us energized, and reframing helps us stay grounded during difficult moments.

Passion doesn’t just happen. It’s cultivated, protected, and renewed—one intentional choice at a time. As we reflect on love this month, I encourage you to consider how you’re nurturing your relationship with your work. After all, if we’re spending 90,000 hours doing something, shouldn’t it challenge us, fulfill us, and light us up—at least most of the time?