The Buzz About Passion

So what’s all this buzz about passion? Do we really have to have a passion for our work? There seems to be so many books written on finding your passion. Sure, when you work in an area that you are passionate about, the work seems easier and more fun and you are of course much more likely to be successful. Is that all there is to it? We just have to find work we are passionate about?

First, let me say that the word “passion” implies a very strong emotion. To be passionate about something could mean you are really fired up about being, doing and having something. I work with many successful people who would not say “yes, this work is my passion”. Yet they are still very successful. However, I have noticed that for most of us our expectations have shifted, we want it all. We want to wake up excited to go to work, we want to make a difference with others and we want to feel full of passion and oh yes, we want to be successful.

That’s okay, that’s great…I say “go for it.” I do recommend that if you are going to “follow your bliss” you discover what your true passions really are. Sound simple? As a business coach, I walk and talk vision, goals, discovering what we want with clients all day long. What I have noticed is that for most of us it’s not so simple to stay present to our vision, our goals and our passions. We get caught up in dramas, problems, issues, and literally forget our purpose, our vision and our goals. We forget that the purpose of a vision is to inspire us today, mold our choices today, and give us satisfaction today. Our ability to see what possible (vision) is key to productive, inspired, passionate, satisfying days at work.

I recently read The Passion Test by Janet and Chris Attwood. In addition to a great story there are several exercises to do that are designed to help you in discovering your true passions.  I thought my business coaching, training and consulting business would be in the top 5. I love my business, I love what I do with people, I love learning more and more about my business and on and on. Guess what, it wasn’t in the top 5. It wasn’t even in the top ten! I discovered that my beloved business is simply a vehicle in which I get to express my true passions for people, for communication and for service.  AH HAH!   

Since this revelation, it’s hard to say what exactly has shifted for me. I do know I am less significant about the success of my business. I feel more relaxed and I feel passionate about my whole life not just my business. Maybe passion has nothing to do with doing something or having something. Maybe it occurs when we are being our highest expression of ourselves or in other words living our vision today.

So, what is the vision you have for your business? Maybe this is a clue to your highest expression, your God given talents and gifts. Your access to passion today whatever your career may be!

Recommended Reading: The Passion Test by Janet and Chris Attwood

The Passion Test is a simple, yet powerful way for anyone to discover what matters most to them in their life. When you consistently choose in favor of those things, your passions, you will find yourself filled with a sense of purpose.