Many people refuse to start a project or take action on something until they feel passionate about it.
For example, a good friend of mine has been telling me for the last five years now that he wants to go to night school, but whenever I ask him if he has signed up for classes yet, he always responds with something to the effect of “No, I just haven’t got around to it.” However, just recently that old subject came up again and this time I decided to dig a little deeper. He told me that the reason he’s waffling on whether to go or not has to do with not being sure if he’s passionate about the subject he’s interested in.
While I agree that passion is an important part in achieving your goal, it is not necessarily a prerequisite. For passion is not what begins a project or aim — the decision to act is.
Here’s the key: decide on a course of action and focus your intent. As you take the necessary actions and move in the direction of your intended goal (blogger, artist, belly dancer, professional video-gamer) your passion will evolve and grow.
I think passion should definently precede a goal. Especially if you want to be good at it. Why do something if you have no passion for it? I believe passion should inspire all of your decisions.
Left by Bradley Woods on October 5th, 2007
Bradly,
My whole point is that too many of us never do anything for “lack of passion” when the real problem is “lack of action.”
For example, when I started college, I had an interest in computers, but it was never a goal of mine to learn anything about them. The passion was definitely not there. After taking a remedial course in programming, and learning more about computers, the passion continued to grow making me (2 years into my business degree) want to change majors and receive my B.S. in Computer Science.
Passion IS important, and if you do have it for something then go ahead and work it. But if you have some interest to try something out but you fear making commitments because of your apparent lack of passion, then move forward anyways and oftentimes you’ll see that the passion will grow. If not, then at least you made a move. Failing is better than not trying.
Left by Erich on October 5th, 2007
Sorry, I do not feel that passion has any place in achieving your goals. Passion is the opposite of action. Passion is great when we talk about love and romance but passion will sometimes lead us to do things that are not in our best interests simply because the passion takes us over and influences our decision making.
Rather than passion, I’d advocate enthusiasm, committment and action as the key factors to achieving our goals.
Left by Douglas Woods on October 9th, 2007
Just like to point out that the text link ad in my previous comment has nothing to do with me.
Darn, I hate those things!
Left by Douglas Woods on October 9th, 2007
Douglas,
Well said.
When I refer to passion here I am not specifically talking about the love/romance type but rather “a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything”. This is more in line with what you’re referring to as the the first element in your trio of “enthusiasm, commitment, and action.”
Thanks for the great comments!
Left by Erich on October 9th, 2007
“Passion is the opposite of action.”
To me passion and enthusiasm are interchangeable. If your passion leads you in the wrong direction to do something you don’t want to do. Don’t blame it on passion. Blame it on bad thinking. You are just passionately thinking about the wrong thing. I want to reiterate that nothing great was ever created without passion. It is the essence of motivation. What are the two biggest motivators in the world; love and sex. So you see passion is great when talking about love and romance but its also great when you look at all the works of genius that love and romance has created.
Left by Bradley Woods on October 11th, 2007
Good point Bradley. Thanks
Left by Erich on October 11th, 2007
you are certainly right. you do not have to be absolutely passionate to achieve goals. actually, the idea of succeeding in something should be reason enough to do anything.
Left by Levitra on August 20th, 2008
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Left by Twitter Trackbacks for Should Passion Precede Your Goal? [lifetrainingonline.com] on Topsy.com on October 10th, 2009
Yep, passion shouldn’t precede the goal, but it is an important factor must be with you from the beginning to the end
Left by Phaoloo on October 10th, 2009