Aligning Your Passion With Your Purpose | The Key Leadership Inc
If we are intentionally pursuing in our journey towards excellence there are times in our journey that we experience "Breakthroughs" or shifts in our thinking that alter our current direction. After a breakthrough it is important to look at what led you to that point and document it carefully in a journal to safe guard that "Breakthrough" event, then it is important to carefully document the lessons we learn from that breakthrough as soon as possible after the breakthrough happens.
With that being said, I have eight thoughts I want to share that I have picked up along the way that have helped me comprehend this incredible concept of aligning your passion with your purpose. Each one builds on the other and each one should be understood before heading into reading the next one. Lets put our thinking caps on as we carefully discuss which of these eight thoughts we maybe able to use to help us get to the next level in our journey.
Number 1: "Most Men Lead Lives of Quiet Desperation." -Henry David Thoreau
This thought that Henry David Thoreau wrote can very easily be applied as a principle for those of us in our journey. At the very beginning when we are learning the principles of success and people around us may begin to mock and make fun of us for the new thinking that has been introduced to our lives it is helpful to understand that they are also likely wondering why they don't have the courage to do what you are doing. Remember, 95% of people in the world around us have elected not to pursue the path that you are now on. Ninety-Five Percent. That is the VAST majority. That fire that is burning inside of your heart to make a difference in the world around you is most likely burning in the heart of your loudest critic also. You are the one that has the courage to take the step toward your purpose. Your critic will loudly proclaim where you are wrong but in their heart they wish they had the courage to do what you are doing.
You will likely almost instantly be met with mockery and jest from people that you thought were your closest friends and family members. Don't be mean to them, love them, but just know in your heart that they are likely in the same spot in life that you are now choosing to exit. You are going a different direction now than you were going and its important to remember that "Most Men Lead Lives of Quiet Desperation." Lets build on to Number 2.
Number 2: Your Most Valuable Asset is Your Time.
It is very important to understand this concept. Once you understand that you are not alone in "quiet desperation" you need to also adopt the mindset of the value of your time. That 9 to 5 job that you have selling your time to make money is always going to do that unless we make something in our 5 to 9. That eight to ten hours that we sell every day to our boss at the expense of a weekly paycheck just might be distracting us from our purpose for why we were placed on this earth. If you don't agree, that is fine. I've seen the other side and it's true!
I would much rather make $20,000 a year as an entrepreneur than to make $100,000 a year as an employee! That statement has rang true in my heart over and over again for the past several years as I've been on this incredible journey. Now take a breath before you respond and talk to yourself about what I just wrote and read number 3.
Number 3: Often it is our ego that prevents us from realizing these two facts.
I know. There a million and one excuses why you may think I'm wrong -- that is why we must take a moment and understand this very important section. It is not an easy decision because it is an unpopular decision. Its a decision that you've never made before, so its okay that we don't understand all about it. It is perfectly normal to feel unsafe about making the decision to pursue our purpose. Remember this: Your current thinking got you where you are right now. Changing your thinking will get you where you want to be. So make sure to take the time to realize that the sooner you humble yourself under the mentoring of someone with the results that you want in your life, the sooner the shift in your thinking can begin to take place.
Number 4: There must be something that you can do to make the world a better place.
There has to be something no matter what it is, you can do it! There has to be something that you are passionate about that can make the world a better place. Lets brainstorm about it. Consider reaching out and lets have a talk about finding your purpose. You were not put here to just exist in "quiet desperation". You were absolutely 100% put here for a specific purpose! We are getting closer -- Lets look at Number 5.
Number 5: You must pursue your passion with persistence.
You can take as many steps forward as possible. Take all the steps you can possibly take right now! Go for it! You will have steps backwards, but you must always work to advance. You don't have to take a big step every time -- just take a step! This is exciting, isn't it?
We are making a move forward in our thinking! If you take one step forward for 10 days then you will have put into effect the amazing power of compounding to work in your favor! After only 10 days you will be amazed how far away you are from where you were 10 days ago!
Number 6: You must invest in your passion.
We know from Number 2 that time is our most valuable asset, so at this spot it is important to realize that you must be willing to give your time as an investment. An investment is not an investment unless there is a method of return. If you truly value your time, make it an investment instead of an expense.
Number 2 of this writing teaches that in our current state time is an expense. For now, part of your time may need to remain an expense, but begin to look at it as an investment. There is no use in giving hundreds of thousands of dollars into funding your passion if you cannot first learn to see your time as an investment. Every minute you spend on your purpose is an investment.
If you are at your job and you choose to take your 30 minute lunch break to open a good book or listen to a good audio for a few minutes that time you has now become an investment towards your purpose! If you decide to turn on your Rascal Radio or Total Personal Development for 20 minutes on your ride to work instead of the car radio, consider both that decision and the time you took to listen to it an investment. An investor never expects an immediate return, he must allow his investment to work without him being heavily involved. Your decision to turn on an audio takes a couple of seconds yet your return on that investment is more than 30 minutes almost instantly! Do you see it? The smallest investment matters the most. Its not necessary to quit your job just yet, work on finding the right fuel for your purpose by investing your time.
It is very important that you seek for wisdom in investing your money into your passion, but make no mistake -- your passion requires finances. If you want to save the world from a bad disease, you cannot do it without money. You need money to fly the airplane, drive the car, purchase the shipping supplies, purchase medical supplies, etc. Just do not think that just because you THINK about your passion that it will become a reality. Your passion requires a financial investment -- use wisdom, but don't think it will come for free. By the way, the best place to place your first investment is in your personal education. Not college education, personal education. People and governments can take any of your personal outside investments away from you but they cannot take what you put into your mind.
Let me add in this side note that has helped in making the mindset shift: Be very careful about looking at people that have achieved a significant level of wealth and success as though they are lazy and greedy and snobby, etc. Their wealth represents a lot of hard work, a huge massive investment of time and money. Wealth is possible for those willing to change their thinking. It really really is! But look at Number 7 and I trust you'll see the truth behind this important point:
Number 7: Sometimes it's Important to Hide Out Under a Rock.
Nobody has just been handed success. There was a time when nobody knew who they were. They may have lost everything that they started with and had to go hide out under a rock to learn some more. Your favorite YouTube or Instagram Influence at one time was not known by anyone. They spent time working on themselves diligently becoming the person that the world now looks at with admiration. It is not an easy path.
The superstar singer, boxer, basketball player, soccer player, actor whoever it may be that you consider a "star" or someone of noteworthy success most likely spent a lot of time hiding under a rock working hard to become the person that they are now recognized by the world. Take the time to intentionally work on yourself. Focus on your character, your personal development, your health, your craft, then you will be ready when Number 8 hits!
Number 8: When your Passion aligns with your Purpose, not only do you KNOW it but you also FEEL it.
It is an amazing feeling when you know in your heart and your head that you are 100% finally properly aligned in your passion and your purpose. No one can stop you from pursuing it! A job becomes a waste of your time. All you have is a journey upwards and it is exhilarating!
Your dream should be REAL and it should be EMOTIONAL. Choose to dream bigger if its not there yet. Keep working on your self. Don't get frustrated that you can't see it yet, there are still likely some lessons to learn. Keep learning and lets literally watch our dreams come true right in front of our eyes!