Get Inspired: Stories

Miles Olson | Zappos vendor/partner | Miles Olson Inc

Science of Happiness, passion and purpose…perspective of a vendor/partner and friend.

Many words have been spoken by many a great known and not so known individuals over a large expanse of time, to try to define passion, purpose and happiness. So much of our life is spent chasing these three somewhat elusive experiences, almost to the point that we may not slow down long enough and miss the opportunity to actually experience them. We may find ourselves chasing money, security, love, material possessions, fame etc to find happiness. Everyone knows what their own personal list of things they believe will bring them happiness is.

My personal experience when I was very young; was the addiction of wanting people to accept me. So my motivation in EVERY THING I did was to make everyone proud of me. I had to be the best at this or that, whether it was washing dishes when I was 16 or impressing a girl on a date. My motivations and self purpose have changed drastically since then, but I still want to be the best I can be. My desire to please others is not so that they will like me, it is now a personal journey to make other people feel good and to perhaps make a difference in their life. I want others to experience happiness to the best of their ability.

I believe that when you first experience any level of passion in your life, it leads to the realization that there is so much purpose in it. Once you find that purpose it leads to feelings of happiness. When you first experience these three spaces together, it is such an “in the moment” happening! It also becomes really obvious how powerful and addictive it is, and also the reality of how rare the moments are and how few people get to live in these moments.

When one is ready, you will find yourself gravitating, meditating and arranging your life to continue a path that will recreate moments of clarity of passion and purpose, which can lead to a euphoric like happiness, and soon it is something you want more than just moments, you want it all the time. Many who achieve this on some level want to share it with as many people as they can, which in turn can give you more purpose, passion and the biggest return…more happiness.

Passion can be found in the simplest things ranging from a basic appreciation of art, to becoming an artist to teaching art. Any or all of these can give one a sense of purpose and a reason to live. Whatever you have a passion for; it is the ultimate place to create a sense of purpose and build a deeper sense of self worth that I think leads to the true definition of happiness.

So here I am, an individual selling shoes to Zappos. There are many reasons and events in my life that have lead up to this moment, in the same way that anyone can say the same thing about where they are at this moment in their life. I cannot say what will lead anyone to find their own passion, purpose or what will make any one person happy. What I can share is the few things that seem to have worked for me. Not that I have arrived AT happiness, I think it is something that continues to unravel and ever deepens, like peeling back the layers of an onion, I know this is cliché…but still a good analogy.

I have been blessed to resonate with a few things in life that I have been passionate about. The one common denominator in all of these things has been people. I was a cook, so I got to cook for people. I then taught tennis…to people. I became a piano player…and played for people. I then became a sales rep selling shoes…to people. In all of these journeys, my happiness has been tied to others. I am immensely happy sitting at the piano by my self; but even happier if someone is listening. I am not really all that passionate about shoes, but I am passionate about the people I work for and with.

I find so much enjoyment, pleasure and happiness in helping people on any level, whether it is work related or on a personal level. Over time, the line between the two has become almost invisible. I believe this is a testament to the environment of the company I get to work for, their ethics and values and those at Zappos.

I do not believe that I have said anything here has not been said before; but all it takes is saying something once, and if it clicks for one person…it has been worth sharing.

May everyone find some happiness in what they do and I hope they share it with others.