The Passion Paradox

March 04, 2012 1:49 PM

Passion is illusive.

For years we’ve been told that if we find it, follow it,
channel it, leverage it and stay committed to it, then eventually, with a lot
of hard work, we can profit from it.

How romantic.

I fell for that fairytale when I started my company nearly a
decade ago. And while I’m still a believer in passion and the profitability
thereof, unfortunately, because of the nature of passion, because of its
white-hot burning fire in the deepest parts of our hearts, we quickly forget
that passion isn’t without its own share of problems:

First, passion is not a substitute for
reality. Without an intersection between our obsession and
the marketplace need, we’re just passionately irrelevant. It’s the difference between making something
useful and just making something.

Secondly, the thrill of our passion dissipates once it
becomes a daily task. Sometimes what used to bring purpose, meaning
and mattering to our lives slowly begins to cause stomach ulcers. To avoid
this, our passion must be both scalable and sustainable.

Third, passion without
purpose is pointless and leaves us penniless. Without a strong why, without
a foundation that comes from our truest desires, our passion becomes a blazing
fire that burns everyone we touch, including ourselves. Careful.

Fourth, passion isn’t
the only activity that occupies our time. If we work a job doing what we
love, we still have to deal with the menial, soul-sucking activities that have
nothing to do with our passion. And if we don’t delegate those tasks, our
passion becomes a chore.

Fifth, passion without
commitment is just an expensive hobby. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Hobbies are essential to life. But if we want to turn a profit, if we want to
make dent in the universe, we have to make the decision to play for keeps.

Not to rain on your passion parade or anything.

Because the good news is, every year, people around the
globe make millions dollars doing exactly what they love. Passion is, was and
will always be, a profitable enterprise.

And as long as we’re willing to confront the realities
attached to making a living from our passion, there’s no reason we can’t be one
of those people too.

We just have to make sure we’re not dreaming in the wrong
direction.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…

What is the paradox of your passion?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS…

For the list called, “27 Ways to Out the Competitors,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!

* * * *

Scott Ginsberg

That Guy with the Nametag

Writing, Publishing, Performing, Consulting

[email protected]

Never the same speech twice.