Image by Wendi Kelly
If There is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen FOR you, TO you and BECAUSE of you.
T. Alan Armstrong.
Do you even know what you are most passionate about? I’ve asked a few clients and friends that question lately and was surprised by the long pause of silence as they pondered their response.
Is it any wonder we have trouble gaining clarity about our dreams and visions when we aren’t clear about what makes us feel good?
Years ago, I took the time with my own coach to work on that question for myself and discovered some surprising answers.
I am passionate when…
- I exceed previous levels of achievement.
- I maintain productive momentum.
- I learn and expand my understanding in a variety of areas.
- I come up with win-win situations.
- I take quiet, private time to think things through.
- I entertain others.
- I am active and open to new opportunities.
- I make a difference in other people’s lives.
- I ground my hopes, dreams and possibilities in the action steps of today.
- I have systems in place that allow me to move quickly.
- I reward myself with enriching experiences.
- I celebrate the accomplishment of my goals.
- I gift others with focus, direction, victory, energy, and hope.
The Road Map Back to A Passionate Life
For several years now, I have kept this list printed and on my desk where I can refer to it at a moment’s notice. It is my plum-line for those times when life seems to have taken a wrong turn and nothing seems to be going right.
Do I feel discouraged? Frustrated? Taken advantage of? Bored out of my skull? Overworked? Drained? Overwhelmed? Does life seem to be crawling at a snail’s pace with no sense of achievement?
I pull out the list and see where I am not living up to my passions. Am I in a rut? Am I not remembering to learn new things? Have I forgotten my need to entertain, to keep theater and the joy of producing some form of entertainment for others in my life? Am I getting stale and falling back on the same old opportunities instead of being open to new experiences? My list always has the answer. It’s like a compass, getting me back on course.
Creating Your Own Passionate List
This list came from a detailed list of questions asked by my coach and then converted into positive action steps. I’ve since helped several people create their own personal guiding list. But you can create your own with a detailed journaling exercise. It’s really a journey back through your life to the times you have felt the most successful, the most alive, the most powerful, the most connected, the most alert, intelligent, creative, engaged, soulful…any and all of those words that inspire the concept of passion to you.
What were you doing? Who were you with? What were the circumstances? Are there any patterns you can see? When were the times over and over again in your life that joy and enthusiasm came rushing in from a sense of accomplishment or action? Write it all down.
Now turn them into sentences.
I am Passionate when I…
Do what? Feel what? Have what? Learn what? Am what? Celebrate what? Make what?
Who is the Passionate You?
*Want help with this exercise? No Problem! Contact me and we can set up a time to talk. I currently have room for a just few more one- on- one coaching clients or I can discuss ways that you can enhance this thought-provoking exercise to get to know the Passionate You.
