Passion and success. It is everywhere: blogs and tweets and magazine articles are full of people who are passionate about life. It is engaging and inspiring. It is life-changing. Some of these passionate people are also business people. Successful business people. Some people in business are the definition of passionate and successful.
So what's it all about? Do people who are naturally passionate create success in their businesses regardless? Surely it is not just enough to be passionate about something that you are able to turn it into a successful business? Does the same passion/success combination apply to life as well as to business?
When you have a passion, everything is possible
In an interview, Juliette Binoche explained that through her schooling she struggled and came second to bottom in her class. She is quoted "What this success says is that, when you have a passion, everything is possible". Richard Branson and Coco Chanel are just two more examples where passion, not education, was the founding element of their success.
It appears that without passion, success is merely achievement and there is a difference! You can achieve many things but not necessarily be a success or be successful. Passion is what drives the top 10 achievers into the top 5. It is that element that makes you wake up earlier; it is what makes you work through to the small hours; passion is what makes you do things for free or go the extra mile; it drags you through the meetings with the accountant looking at all the red ink; passion is what gets you through the tough times. Without it, many lives and businesses are unsuccessful because they get stuck at the first sign of hardship. With passion, you are driven forward because you love what you do, there is no other option but to be successful.
In life and in business, being passionate forms the cornerstone for success. It is not the only element but it does, I believe, identify the person who is achieving without meaning from those who are happy and fulfilled. It is the difference between loving what you do and doing what you love. It is the difference between the good speaker and the inspiring speaker. You are attracted to them and what they do because they exude that extra something special- the energy and excitement passion brings. Passion is an asset to your life and your business, what ever you do - a designer, a blogger, a gardener. Find it in your life. Cherish it. Nurture it. Share it.
Tips and Hints on getting passionate with thanks to Juliette Binoche
I am not about to suggest you eat oysters here, we’re talking about creating the zest and energy in your life and business.
Get passionate ‘I can’t help but choose what I really love and believe in’'
Are you doing something that drives you? What would you get up at 5am for? What are you so content in doing that you would happily do it for free? If you are passionate about and love what you do, you will not mind putting in ridiculous hours or going to extremes to achieve what you want.
Dream, dream, dream ‘Invent your path, imagine your life and believe in the impossible’'
The bigger the dream, the better. Imagine you are successful already and act that way. It won’t take long before others buy into your dream too. If you are convinced of your success and are passionate about making it happen, the people you need will be attracted to that energy.
Do what you do well ‘I work a lot, passionately’'
Just because you are good at what you do, does not mean you will automatically be good at making a business out of it. Concentrate on your strengths and then get help for all the rest. Let others be passionate about what they do, for you!
Failing is not an option… ‘I don’t think of insecurity because I am too busy…’
… but neither is blind faith and hope. It’s all about calculated risk. Know what you are getting into. Research. Be aware. Have your goal but do not fail in being open to changing the course of your action or being flexible in how you get there. Passion alone will not carry you to Successville; it is the driver but you need a reliable, trusty vehicle in which to travel.
Plan, work hard, plan some more. ‘I’ve earned my wrinkles…’
No one who is passionate and successful has ever said that it came out of the blue and they definitely have never said it came easy! It is the passion behind what you do that will get you through the hard times.
Meet and learn 'I need to remain independent, but it's important to ask for help'
It is vital that you are open to meeting new people and learning new things. This will feed your passion and keep your drive alive. You are not an island either and the contacts you make will come in handy at some point in the future. Networking is not about the immediate sale in the room, it’s about all the people outside the room that you are gaining access to. Be open. Be interested. Be willing to offer; what you receive is a bonus.
Hang in there 'Invent your path, imagine your life and believe in the impossible'
It will be tough. You will need Teflon skin in some instances. You will need to bounce back after each setback (having a cry is healthy and often necessary) but if every experience is one to learn from, there is nothing but ultimate success! Keep on going and if you ever doubt what you are doing or why you are doing it, stop and bring yourself right back to the beginning: the passion. Remind yourself what took you there in the first place. Cherish it. Nurture it. Share it.
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