I want to share a recent article from the May 2015 issue of SUCCESS magazine. In it, leadership expert and best-selling author, John C. Maxwell, writes about “Digging Deep” to find your passion — at work, home, in life.
John states, “Following you passion changes your life and the lives of those around you. It makes life exciting. It inspires your team. It transforms the grind of work into an invigorating challenge.” Who wouldn’t want that? Apparently 70 to 87 percent of the world. A recent Gallup poll found that only 30% of U.S. workers and 13% worldwide are engaged in their jobs. What the heck are the rest of the 70 to 87 percent of workers doing — just staring at their laptops? Searching for the next disengaging job? Wow.
The article went on to ask seven questions to help identify your passion:
If you inherited so much money that you would never have to work again, what would you do with your time?
What would you never give up because you love it so much?
What hobbies have you pursued over the years and why? These may clues that will tell you something about yourself.
What are you naturally good at — so good that other people compliment you?
When others consult you for advice, what do they ask you about?
What are you curious about?
What do you do better than anything else?
Boom. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you read each question? For me, it was easy — everything I’m doing NOW easily answers all the questions. I love to write, speak, and teach. My hobbies — martial arts and “everything Japanese” — have become my vocation. I’m curious about it all, would never give any of it up, and can do “it” better than anything else.
Yet it wasn’t a cake-walk getting to where I’m at now. When I left corporate America to run my passionate business full-time, I quickly became overwhelmed and under-supported. I wasn’t good at delegating, or hiring and training staff, or building a strong team around me. However, I learned to do those things. I wasn’t afraid to try. I was able to put my ego aside and empower others to do the things I naively thought ONLY I could do. I actually practiced what I preached: Mushin — clarity of thought. Freedom from distractions. I stopped letting my fear and ego push me around.
And statistically speaking, if you are reading this there is a 70 – 87 percent chance that, although you may know what you are passionate about, you are not make a successful vocation from it. Why? You are letting you fear and ego push you around. Fear and ego hold you back from the clarity you need to make the right decision to start your own business. Or sell one. To change careers or go back to school. To hire a new CEO so you can become Chairman or create the next industry-disrupting online app. And the list goes on.
This is the practice of Mushin — no mind. It is the mind free from the shackles of fear and ego so you can see the right path forward when the pace is fast, the outcome unclear, and the stakes are high.
It is the clarity of the warrior.
And it is absolutely necessary to be successful, fulfilled, and excited by your chosen passionate vocation.
Will you join me? Will you join the Mushin Community and work together to achieve clarity, discover your passion, and transform your business and personal life? If you need help getting started, leave a comment below or hit me up on Twitter @mpveltri — I promise to get back to you.