Passion is the genesis of genius – Tony Robbins
Helmut and my step-son Ben, and Helmut’s brother, Frank, and a number of our friends rode this year in the MONT 24 – 24 hours of single track mountain bike riding in the forest because they are passionate about bike riding. For weeks leading up to the event they are excited, doing training rides, preparing for camping, and getting everything ready so it will all run smoothly. While they were out riding I was lying on the lounge reading one of my many inspirational leadership and business books to further extend my knowledge because learning is one of the things that I am absolutely passionate about!
Passion is a term used frequently to describe a very strong feeling about a person or thing. It is a continual enthusiasm or desire for something that we deem important. We use passion in the context of our lives to describe an intense motivation to a calling, cause or activity that puts us in our flow. It is something that inspires us to take action.
When we meet people who are passionate about their work or life, we immediately feel inspired by their sense of positive energy, focus and clarity of thought and action. Passionate people can’t wait to get up in the morning (always a good litmus test for passion!), they are eager and energetic to get on with what needs to be done, to live with purpose and determination.
Watching Helmut, Ben and the other riders racing this weekend in the MONT clearly demonstrated a passion for riding that took them through the night and into the next day with little sleep, physical exhaustion and a continual smile of their weary faces. As an observer, I couldn’t help but feel happy and inspired by their determination and commitment to their sport.
Benjamin Harvey, in his article The Explosive Power of Passion, says that “less than 3% of the world’s population are living on purpose”. He goes on to say that it is so important to have a clear purpose because it gives meaning to everything we do in life. When we have meaning to what we do we are motivated and enthusiastic about what we are creating.
A good question to begin with is to ask yourself “What do you love to do?
I can definitely say I love my work. I can easily work virtually seven days a week, in some capacity, be it teaching, learning or writing, and remain inspired and enthusiastic (except in the ski season – another passion!). Working with people, the frontiers of the human mind and thinking, human potential and possibilities inspires me on so many levels. When I hear people say that they would do what they were doing regardless of whether they were paid – that’s me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I absolutely know I am living my life purpose and I feel really blessed!
Unfortunately, I often come across people who don’t feel they way I do about their work. They are living their lives in a compromise. They have settled for what they think they should be doing not what they really want to do. In saying that, passion is also an attitude of commitment. We can be passionate about small things and that will grow into bigger things the more we focus on it. It does sadden me to think that there are people who aren’t living their highest and truest dreams though because when we do we are healthier, happier, more productive and more energised.
Living our passions also has a number of benefits:
- Flow and energy – when we are in flow we have lots of energy because we feel charged and on track. When we are not in our flow we feel tired, stressed, overwhelmed and are less productive and happy.
- Synchronicity – when we are clear and in flow we create synchronicities to support us in our quest to live our purpose. Luck favours the prepared!
- Fulfillment – when we live our purpose our lives have a deeper meaning and we feel like we are doing what we are really meant to be doing.
- Decision making – when we are in alignment with our purpose it is easier to make decisions quickly because we know what is most important to us.
- Financial success – the old adage “Do what you love and the money will follow” is fairly true. We need to take inspired action and persist with it to ensure success.
- Happiness – when we are doing what we were put on Earth to do we are happy. Our brain secretes serotonin and dopamine and we feel GOOD! There may be some hard times but we keep going because we love what we do.
- Self-confidence – when we are living our passion we have an inner knowing about who we are in the world and where we are headed.
- Inspiring others – other people are inspired by people who are clear with their purpose and who are highly motivated and in flow.
The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. Rick Warren
Janet and Chris Attwood, in their book The Passion Test, provide a really simple and clear process to identify what your passions are. The first part of the test is to make a list of your passions – at least 10 – 15 things. That is, the things that you love most, that inspire you, and that are critical to your happiness and well-being. These need to be passions, not goals. A goal is something you create, a passion is how you choose to live your life. When our passions are clear we can then create goals that are aligned with our passions and thus live the life we really choose.
Some questions to begin to define our passions are:
- What do I love to do?
- What kind of environment do I love to be in?
- What kind of people do I love to be around?
- What excites me and keeps me really enthusiastic?
- What am I good at?
- What do people compliment me on?
- What you I seem to do better than other people?
- What are my unique skills and talents?
Once you have considered these things, make a list of 10 most important things that would/do give your life joy, and that make you feel passionate and fulfilled. Start with the following sentence:
When my life is ideal I am…
Once you have listed 10-15 things, you need to then identify which are the most important. Go though each and begin to prioritise by asking yourself, “If I could have No 1 and not No 2 would that be OK?”. Keep going through your list comparing it in the same manner until you have your number 1 priority. Then repeat this step until you have your top 5 passions. You can go to my website www.ilad.com/downloads for a more in depth version of The Passion Test.
It was interesting to do this again as I hadn’t done it for about 5 years. Here is my current list…
When my life is ideal I am…
- Inspiring and educating people to live their best life and grandest vision.
- Having a deeply connected relationship with Helmut and my children.
- Having quality win/win relationships with inspiring people.
- Having fun and being fit, healthy, strong and vibrant.
- Continually learning and exploring the frontiers of knowledge and possibilities.
When we are conscious of what we are passionate about we can work with our strengths, live in our own personal flow, and make more of a difference in the world.
Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes
from focusing on what excites you.
Oprah Winfrey
I would be delighted if you would share with me your list of passions. Email me at c.egle@ilad.com.au