What is Passion?
Philosophers and poets have debated the tension between purpose and passion for years. Some have argued that passion is about your emotions while purpose is the reason behind those emotions or that passion is about yourself while purpose is about others.
The truth about passion is that it develops over time. Click To Tweet
The truth about passion is that it develops over time. You’re not born with it. It’s not a latent emotion that needs only to be triggered. It doesn’t show up in your life with an explosion of fireworks. Rather passion is cultivated. It is an evolutionary process of reflecting on your gifts, your values and what you want to contribute. And, it begins as an often undetectable interest or inclination.
Once this interest is triggered, you follow the impulse and look into it. Sometimes the interest quickly fades and other times you continue to seek to learn more or to experience it again.
Here are three characteristics of development of passion Click To Tweet
Here are three characteristics of development of passion :
- Often develops accidentally
- Takes practice
- Takes encouragement and exposure
What is Purpose?
Sometimes focusing beyond the narrow confines of one’s own interests and embracing the broader implications of our life’s pursuits can be a much more compelling motivator than simply the feeling of passion.
If there were a shortcut to passion, that bypassed the long journey of interest development, it would be a calling to fulfill a higher purpose.
Purpose is based on conviction. A deep desire to contribute that stirs us at a personal level can be just the catalyst we need to dive full-bodied into an activity.
And once we’re engaged at such a high level, we are compelled to continue our exposure to our cause, we’re driven by a deep level of fulfillment, and we deliberately commit to continuous improvement. A passion is born.
Often times, when it gets hard, it becomes impossible to continue to have passion for what you do. Your purpose is something that motivates you sustainably. The work you do that you consider your purpose is the most important work you could be doing for your long term satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
A radical transformation sets in when you identify your true passion and discover your purpose in life. Consider passion to be the fuel and purpose to be the reason you need to light the fire.
Once you have a strong enough “Why” (purpose) you will automatically transform your “What” (passion) into a real sense of purpose. Your life will be more rewarding, impactful, and fulfilling.
Founder of CoachAble, an Entrepreneur, Life Coach, Teacher, Philanthropist and an unshakable optimist, Nilanjan is dedicated to helping people who are at a crossroads in life to create long term sustainable change in their lives. Nilanjan through his life coaching helps you to re-design life so that you can live with a sense of fulfilment.