Direct your Passion

Have you ever heard of the Passion Test?

No, it’s not a recipe or test for love, but often is considered a general prerequisite in the potential success of any endeavor. Many people pride themselves on their passion. But have they ever wondered whether it is directed in the right direction.

I recently spent some time with a young friend whose recipe for success starts with passion. He has fully subscribed to the notion that by bringing overwhelming passion into his task, he can overcome all challenges and ultimately succeed.

I beg to differ. Slightly.

I do believe in the concept of passion. In fact, I have often been criticized or praised, sometimes in the same breath, for bringing an inordinate amount of passion into the tasks that I choose to pursue. But I want to point out a slight difference. I believe in making sure that I am fully cognizant of the direction of my passion.

According to the virtual dictionary of today’s tech generation, Wikipedia: Passion ( from Latin verb patior meaning to suffer or to endure) is an emotion applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

Wikipedia further adds, that in learning, Passion can be expressed as a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion towards a subject, idea, person, or object. A person is said to have a passion for something when he has a strong positive affinity for it. A love for something and a passion for something are often used synonymously.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter , professor at Harvard Business School and the author of Confidence and SuperCorp once wrote a article entitled : “Does Your Passion Match Your Aspiration?”

In the article, she wrote, “Leaders who create extraordinary new possibilities are passionate about their mission and tenacious in pursuit of it. Many people have good ideas, but many fewer are willing to put themselves on the line for them. Passion separates good intentions and opportunism from real accomplishments.”

She came up with a simple test on how to check whether your passion matches your aspiration. In other words, is your passion directed properly to where you want to go. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I feel strongly about the need for this?

2. Does the idea fit my long-held beliefs, values, and convictions?

3. Have I dreamed about something like this for a long time?

4. Do I think that this is vital for the future of people I care about?

5. Do I get excited when I think about it, and convey excitement when I talk about it?

6. Am I convinced that this can be accomplished?

7. Am I willing to put my credibility on the line to promise action on it?

8. Am I willing to spend time to sell it to others who might not understand or support it?

9. Can I make this the major focus of my activities?

10. Am I willing to devote personal time, above and beyond organizational time, to see that this happens?

11. Do I feel strongly enough to ignore negativity and fight for this?

12. Am I committed to seeing this through, over the long haul?

Sometimes in asking ourselves simple questions, we no longer need complex solutions. We need to remind ourselves that Passion without direction will ultimately lead to spent passion, arriving in the same position that one started from.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me at [email protected] , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com