Does a passion get overwhelmed?

[Rocky]

I had a discussion with a colleague about the importance of passion and its role in employee engagement. My colleague asked "what happens if you begin to lose your sense of passion?" She stated that she often feels overwhelmed and thinks that maybe she has lost her passion. Then she took it a step further and asked that if you lose your passion could it really have been a passion all along? I thought these would be excellent questions to open to a wider audience.

My take on it is that maybe how she is carrying out her passion is not the right avenue. More importantly, I asked her to really think about what she is passionate about. What led her to be in the business that she is in? Is it for the passion or did she settle into a business while trying to meet other needs? What is the end result she is looking for, Is it for riches or for something else? I think the true test of a passion is that it has a relentless drive to it. It is not tied to any business or bank. It is attached to your heart and will drive you regardless of the circumstances. Your passion does not get overwhelmed. Your passion tends to be overwhelming. The avenues by which you pursue your passions may get worn and become overwhelmed, but the passion tends to keep burning. Your passion may lead you to different avenues to pursue it, but it tends to keep burning.

So, if you are feeling overwhelmed, maybe it is time to search for new avenues to pursue your passion. Or maybe, it is time to really think about defining what your passion is.

Any insights?

[Terrence Seamon]

Great post, Rocky.

I love this part: "I think the true test of a passion is that it has a relentless drive to it. It is attached to your heart and will drive you regardless of the circumstances. Your passion does not get overwhelmed. Your passion tends to be overwhelming. The avenues by which you pursue your passions may get worn and become overwhelmed, but the passion tends to keep burning."

I think it answers the question beautifully.
Terry

[Rocky]

Thanks Terry,
When that question was posed to me it really made me think. I realized that through my career my passion stayed the same. I have adjusted how I pursued my passion by switching jobs etc. However, the drive was the same I just took different avenues to reach the same destination. I am greatful for the question and greatful for your response. Thanks.

[Mike King]

Great topic! I think it is possible to have a passion overwhelmed, but you said it perfectly, "it has a relentless drive to it". It takes a LOT to kill a passion. I think a lot of people don't really study themselves enough to find any true passion so the first thing they get excited about they 'think' is their passion and unfortunately, it dies off fairly easily. A person should easily be able to test their passions in hard times or when things are not working well with that passion. If its a true passion, that won't matter one bit.

[Rocky]

Thanks for that Mike. Your comment made think that sometimes people mistake greed or opportunity for passion. That is easy to do in todays world. I wonder how many people go through life and never truly realize a driving passion in their life?

[Carol Cole-Lewis]

I don't believe passion has a "relentless drive" at all. What passion has is "unbounded joy". Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "flow" experience embraces ease and grace, not striving and stress. If life is stressful, you're not in flow nor are you living your passion.

Drive implies effort. Flow does not.

"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is but a dream."

[Rocky]

Ok I can follow that line of thought. However, I still contend that passion is that element within that gives us that relentless drive. Think of Mother Theresa. She certainly had many difficult times. it was her passion that kept her going long after others had given up. Abraham Lincoln had more problems than most of us can imagine. It was his passion that kept him going. I can appreciate the flow experience. people experience in many aspects of their lives, however, I think it is different from passion. I can get into a flow at work, at playing a game, etc. That does not mean that I am passionate about those things. Many people spend their whole careers in jobs they are less than passionate about and that is OK. I would contend that they can get into a flow with that. I just think it is different from passion.

[Carol Cole-Lewis]

When you are at work and playing a game and realize time has stopped and you're at peace - you're in the same space you're in when you're living your passion. You can bring passion into any action - even a job which was previously boring - if you choose to.

"Relentless drive" to me implies an urge to perform because of the reward of pleasure or the fear of pain. This causes stress and discomfort. Therefore, I wouldn't combine this phrase with passion at all, because the act of "living passionately" (in whatever you're doing) is reward in itself.

OK, we could be arguing semantics. I believe passion and flow are the journey, with a committed vision the intended destination and the power behind all action. When Mother Theresa and Lincoln encountered difficult times, I believe it was their commitment to their vision - what they believed they were supposed to be doing on this planet - that motivated them. A committed vision has no challenges that cause you to turn back (think "crossing the Rubicon"), therefore you do what you have to do and don't feel stressed about it because your commitment to the vision puts your mind at rest (even if your body isn't.)

Passion is a choice (and comes as standard with the "committed vision package".) You can feel passionate about anything you do, but combine it with a committed vision and you're internally calm and virtually unstoppable.

Maybe what's needed for employees to engage with more passion is leadership actually committed to a vision. Those at the helm would then have the necessary passion to infect all who choose to be on board. The workforce would then do what needs to be done without stress (and with passion), because their effort is a reward in itself.

And, if you could help your youth find this (which I'm sure you're committed to and are doing), you've given hope to the world! Thank you so much for what you do, Rocky. I've used some cool tools with young people in the past that help with this. I can tell you more off-line if you're interested.

It is truly hard to be passionate when you don't sense anyone else around you is (especially those in charge.) I feel for your friend who has to fuel her own flame.

[Rocky]

Carol,
Sorry it took me a while to reply. The mother board on my computer is being replaced and my ability to get online is limited right now. I thank you for your very passionate response (haha I could not resist) I think on some level we are speaking the same language. It probably would help if I had read the book "Flow". It would probably give me a better perspective. In fact, I think I will get the book and give it a read. (I love to read, especially on topics such as this). I do disagree with your take on the relentless drive. You stated "Relentless drive" to me implies an urge to perform because of the reward of pleasure or the fear of pain." When I am driven to accomplish something it is rarely out of fear. Although, I do agree that fear can be a great motivator. It is my desire to accomplish the goal that is set before me. Passion does not guarantee success in any endeavor any more than does being in a flow. However, it is The passion that keeps me coming back. The failure is not necessarily bad. Look at Edison and his experiments, most notably the light bulb. He did not fear the failure and it was not fear that made him keep trying. it was his burning desire to invent, create, do something that was bigger than him. Was he always in flow, maybe. As far as my colleague, she is doing well. She has had to make some adjustments but her drive is strong, her commitment is undaunted, and the flame continues to burn bright. I admire people that ignite their own flames. I think that is what leaders are made of.

I do agree with you that the journey is the best part. Most often the journey is better than the outcome. I can't help but think that we are talking the same language, just using different terms. I will read the book and see if I can get a better understanding of your position.

[Carol Cole-Lewis]

Yes, we really are saying the same thing. In fact, I've been giving this discussion so much thought I opened up a second discussion taking off on this theme.

Do you have any book titles you'd recommend on this subject, as it's one of my pet ones as well?

[Janice Summers]

I think that passion is the "fire in the belly" and it's commitment that stokes the fire. After all isn’t it a burning desire that gets you to start a journey. And that which gets you to stay the course, is commitment. You can apply this to anything in life from running a marathon to learning to play the guitar or to the career you choose. At mile 22 of a 26.2 run, I know I’m not feeling to passionate but if I am committed, I regain that passion by mile 25!

Just my 2 cents. Great topic though and a wonderful thought trigger!!

[Rocky]

That is a great point Janice. It is that Passion or "That Burning desire" that gets people to boldly move forward. I think that Action is the hallmark of great leadership. Every great leader that I have ever known or studied had an incredible ability to take action. Did they often fail, yes. But, they had that burning desire to be or to do and that kept them coming back. Each set back was viewed as an education and the burning desire gave them the ability to keep moving forward. Your example of the Marathon is excellent. it certainly takes alot of passion and comitment to struggle through the training and the actual competition of a marathon. I think it is hard to have a strong comitment if passion is lacking. Many people think I am 2 cents short of a dollar, so your 2 cents is very valuable to me. Thanks for taking the time to respond.