The Purpose of Passion
by Mark Sanborn
Passion by itself is of little value (like having a gallon of gas without an engine to put it in), but used as fuel for one’s work, it has many benefits.
Passion…
Invigorates. Your alarm clock becomes your achievement clock. You’ll be waking up ready to get to the important work you believe in.
Inspires. You’ll find inspiration within rather than searching for it “out there.”
Sustains. Difficulties become stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. Passion keeps you going after others give up.
Comforts. Passion reminds you that you did your best regardless of the outcome.
Initiates. It overcomes the resistance of procrastination and enables you to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Completes. Because you only begin that which is worthwhile, you’ll be a consistent closer and finisher.
Enhances: It expands the possibilities, benefits, and value of the work being done.
(Adapted from The Encore Effect: How to Achieve Remarkable Performance in Anything You Do by Mark Sanborn)
I love the way Mark Sanborn defines the purpose of passion. It’s a call for business owners and managers to channel into the passions of employees as they place people in the right jobs (and even changing job descriptions) to better suit their natural desires, strengths and interests. Just imagine the impact on the workplace environment if the purpose of passion were applied with as much tenacity as other more typical workplace mandates.
- Marilyn Suttle, coauthor of Who’s Your Gladys?