Life Lessons: The importance of Passion

Today was a bit disheartening at work. I won’t go into it, but needless  to say, I began to contemplate passion and drive and its importance in doing what you do.  The wisest advice my father gave me is ‘love what you do.’ This great man instilled me with great sense of work ethic, but most importantly the importance of loving it. Coming from a man who’s an accountant, this means a lot because you know…it’s accounting.  When he was growing up he choose book keeping because his mother had told him it was lucrative. When my aunt and uncle were growing up, they were told they should study medicine because it was a good field. I know that these three great individuals would have chosen something else. My dad: a cook, my uncle: an architect or designer, my aunt: that I don’t know, I wish I was given the chance to ask her. I think he has pushed this point across because I think if he had felt more in control of the situation he would have chosen something different.

So here I am, 31 (almost) always thinking about what I’M passionate about. Because when you’re passionate about something,  the money will come. Why? because you will do so willingly and well. I’ve turned down positions because they weren’t what I wanted. I feel like I’m at a stage in my life where I can ask “is this what I’m passionate about” as opposed to “how much money is this going to make me.” Don’t get me wrong, money is awesome and I may not take a pay cut, BUT I will definitely ask myself “is this what I want to do.”  

Fear is the biggest extinguisher of passion to venture out. I know I’m guilty of it, and I battle with tons of “buts” and excuses, but I do strive to do what I love. When the passion runs out, then it’s time to step back, breath and ask yourself : Is this really what I want to do with my life?  Maybe yes, maybe no, maybe you just need a break, or maybe you just need to direct your passion in a different direction. 

Rather than be discouraged about what happened today, I will see this as an opportunity to further propel myself in the direction I want to go in, not in the one I’m forced to go in.  I have found that when I’m not ‘still with God’ and push something that it normally falls apart. I’ve had to learn that I can’t force something. I need to pray and run (I do some of my most intense prayers and request while running).  I have found it helpful to tell myself to be patient and ask myself :

1)      Are you making a decision because you are angry at an outcome?

2)      Are you opting to not make a choice because you’re comfortable

3)      Are you afraid?

4)      Does this decision help you meet your own personal /professional ‘bottom line.”

For right now, I will wait, but not for long, because I feel like some changes are coming, and although they are scary, I’m pretty excited.