The world needs more zealots! Now, before you start sending me hate mail or demand that I be fired from writing any future articles hear me out. I am not remarking on religious zealots that twist religion to fit their own views of the way the world should be by bombing bus stations or shooting up malls. What I mean by my opening statement is that the world needs more people that are absolutely passionate about what they do.

A while ago I was watching a documentary on Netflix called Chef’s Table (cooking shows are a guilty pleasure of mine). It was episode two of the first season and the featured chef was Dan Barber of the famed restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, which is in Pocantico Hills, New York. It is also worth mentioning that Blue Hill was the 2015 James Beard award winner for Best Restaurant. I mention this acclaim to lend credence that Barber is one who has dedicated himself to the pursuit of perfection.

At one point in the show, Dan Barber’s brother, David, co-owner of the operation, discusses Dan’s perfectionist attitude toward food and his obsession with finding the best ingredients to create the best dishes. During this part of the interview, David uses the phrase “the world needs more zealots”. David Barber’s words and meaning regarding his brother stuck with me. He meant that the world needs more passion and purpose. It needs more people that love what they are doing and need, with every fiber of their being, to do something great.

This might be an athlete, an artist, a teacher, or a tradesman. Plumber, writer, cook, preacher, it makes no difference. All that matters is the single-mindedness in being the absolute best one can possible be in their chosen field. How many of us can say without a doubt that they put every ounce of energy, time, and strength into their vocation? For most of us, work is just something we do to make money and hobbies are just things we do to pass the time. I, myself, am as guilty as the the rest at getting stuck in a rut with work and wishing I was doing something else. Thinking that the grass must certainly be greener on the other side of the fence.

I am not saying that from time-to-time, everyone doesn’t have a bad day or fantasize about doing something else for a living. What I am saying is that regardless of what we do, it is the way we do it that is important. Maybe we help raise funds for a community food pantry or coach 7 year-olds in soccer on the weekends. Regardless of the activity, the world is a better place when we, as global citizens, decide to give something 100%.

So, whether you are an award winning chef, like Dan Barber, or a barista at Starbucks, give your best effort because anything positive that helps to make someone else’s day better makes the world a better place as well.