First Post!

"Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”

 

I was in my colleague’s office in Los Angeles last week.  Rumors were flying around the proverbial water cooler as our Executive team was in town to announce a 2^nd round of corporate layoffs.  Needless to say, we were having a very disquieting discussion in his office.  As we lamented on the fate of our careers, I paused to survey his office, which was entirely decorated in crimson & gold.  The colors of USC were adorned everywhere.  So, I casually said “hey, great game against Arizona State last week, huh”?  His eyes completely lit up, and he went off on a 20 minute tangent about the brilliance of his beloved Trojans football team.  You’d never guess our Execs were right outside his office, holding their axes and ready to slash his job…

 

3 words for you: Find a passion.  Find something that lights up your eyes, fires up your soul and warms your heart.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be something noble like saving the polar bears (albeit a great cause!), or on a global scale like world peace.  To the contrary, it can be something on a micro level that directly impacts you. Something that motivates you to get out of bed in the morning, drives you to be a better person, and/or provides a healthy escape from the harsh realities of life (like my poor colleague who got laid off but was adamantly humming the USC fight song as he was escorted out of the building).

 

Tony Robbins says “Passion is the genesis of genius.”  I agree, but would modify this slightly by stating “Passion is the genesis of excellence!”  Show me someone who truly excels at what they do and then examine their passion.  Your favorite artist, actor, doctor, nurse, politician, personal trainer, restaurant manager, spiritual leader, etc.  You can tell they LOVE what they do, and therefore are great at what they do.  They pour themselves into what they do to the point of it embodies, or defines, who they are.  Back in the 19^th century, we would reference ourselves by what we did (OK, no “Joe the Plumber” jokes!).  We don’t typically do that now, but those that are truly passionate about what they do…do!  It becomes part of their fabric, their lifestyle, their identity.

 

But finding your passion is far more than just about what you do for a living.  Ask any Red Sox fan, avid gardener, Shih-Tzu owner, Radiohead music listener, gym rat, guitar player, Ferrari owner, etc. They find true passion in this and, as a result, it brings both happiness and meaning to life.  Often, it taps at the very core of the essence of life.  Our passions help us overcome the monotony and adversity we all face in life.  So…what is your passion(s)?