The importance of Passion for what you do

Whatever you choose to do, if you want to do it really well, you need to have a passion about it.  The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines passion (of the sort I am talking about here) as "intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction."  The urbandictionary.com says "Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it."

We see the passion required for success in many places.  High performance level athletes come to mind, but a high level of success in any endeavor requires a high level of passion in almost all cases.  Star performers, be they athletes, musicians, dancers, actors, and many others practice --- a lot.  They are passionate about their craft and practice is just one way of exhibiting it.  I know an auctioneer who has won many contests at the national level, who practices his "chant" while driving.  Yet he has been auction selling for so long, you might think practice is not needed.

Click Here to see Merv Hilpipre
as he wins the 2004 International Auctioneer Championship 

[Another of Merv's passions is sled dog racing.  He is well known at the national level, which means all the way to Alaska.  It speaks of the man and his dogs!]

You will often incur roadblocks and slowdowns that are most easily overcome if you feel strongly about achieving your goals. Without passion, you are not likely to choose to do the "heavy lifting" required to achieve high success levels and you may not even see all the little things that need to be done.

Without passion, you can be good  --- but if you want to be great, you have to be passionate.  You will find that you put in the extra energy required without really thinking that it is extra.      Caution:   Just being passionate by itself does not guarantee success!

Whether you are a performer, a manager, a teacher, or a computer programmer, passion is a necessary component for success. 



Talk about Passion!!!  Here is Sam Swinton, Richway rubber molding team leader at the end of a fall from a "saddle bronc" ride during a rodeo on September 7th.  As you can see, his head appears to be buried in the dirt.  His legs are going back toward the horse and his chaps are straight up.

He is a bright and articulate guy and cannot wait to get back and ride this weekend --- after two weeks off.  If you want to follow the rodeo, follow Sam's new blog coming soon.  
 

Here is Sam's definition of Passion- "Have the fervor and desire to pursue what you love, and the willingness to pay the price."  Looks like he is paying the price above. 

Rod Stewart "singing" Passion --- Click Here

I have never been a big fan of Rod Stewart, though obviously many are.  To me, his singing is a cross between yelling and singing.



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