Chase Your Passion
Chase Your Passion
“For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
- Matthew 7:8
Why is it that some people are constantly moving towards achieving their dreams and others just dream about their dreams?
It’s simple … each of us is wired differently.
The people who are moving towards achieving their dreams are not afraid to make mistakes. They will push constantly; they will always be moving forward. If they are wrong, they don’t get stuck, they learn from their mistake and will continue their upward movement. They aren’t afraid of the work, the effort and the time that needs to be committed to their passion because their passion burns hot and they can’t NOT pursue the dream. And they are willing to do what it takes to obtain their optimal life.
Those who are only dreaming of their dreams are afraid to knock on the door.
99% of those who are afraid to knock on the door fall into one of two camps.
Camp #1: Those Who Fear Rejection
This first camp is afraid they will be told: “NO”.
They fear rejection. They are so fragile that they can’t handle not getting what they want.
If they aren’t truly passionate, they will stop pursuing their dreams right there. Maybe the person who said, “No”, was just having a terrible day and didn’t even consider what gifts you had. Maybe they weren’t hiring. You can’t know unless you ask, “why?”.
If being told “NO” throws ice water on your passion, then maybe it wasn’t truly a passion. Maybe it was a whim. Or an ego thing.
You see, if you have a great passion, you will knock on 10,000 doors and get 10,000 “No’s” but those with passion will wake up the next day and knock on door number 10,001.
J K Rowling’s “Harry Potter” was turned down by every major publisher … at least once. But she believed in her work, her passion, her need to get Harry Potter published was too strong to accept “NO”.
Camp #2: Those Who Fear Acceptance
Those who live in this camp are afraid that if someone does answer the door, they might actually get invited in.
What is the problem with that, you may ask?
Once they are now inside, they will have to give the effort to accomplish the dream.
This is a much greater fear than being told, “No”. No, gives that person an excuse. “I would have been great at doing that job, but the person in charge of hiring told me: “NO”. Now I’ll go back to working the boring, unfulfilling job.”
Most human beings like to get into a routine. When they get into their mindless job, they just go through the act of doing their daily work, day after day. They know what is expected of them. And every day they do “just enough”. Terms such as “minimal Monday”, “Quiet Quitting” and “Boreout” are given to these types of people who are doing work that they don’t care about, but aren’t willing to push themselves to accomplish what they really want to do.
For them it is much easier to just dream about their dreams. They look nice. But the work that goes into accomplishing all the goals that lead to achieving the dreams are daunting. The hours don’t end. The return is next to nothing in the beginning. Too many want to be in the boardroom rather than the mail room but aren’t willing to put in the time and effort necessary to earn their way to the top.
Solutions for the 99%
All I can say about the 99% is that you have to understand that getting a “NO” isn’t the end of the world. And for the other group, when you find that “thing” that you are willing to commit to 100% and not worry about the hours or the pay, you will be on the path to live your passion. In both cases you must commit yourself to accomplish your dreams. Until you are willing to do that you will always be working to accomplish other people’s dreams.
What About the 1%
So, now you have heard about the 99%. What about the 1%?
The 1% are those who are willing to take the “NO” and are willing to do what it takes to push their passion forward.
What are they missing?
They don’t know how to get to the door or to the conversation to get their foot in the door.
There is a simple solution: Just knock.
If you want to get into coaching, go ask a local high school coach if you could be part of the staff. They are always looking for hard working individuals who are willing to invest their time into building a program. In coaching we all started on the bottom. But the climb is worth it if it is your passion.
If you want to be a first responder, go speak to someone in the police or fire department. They will give you the information you need to get your foot in the door. You might be washing the fire engine to begin with, but eventually you might be able to earn the right to drive it.
The important thing you need to do is go find someone who knows the answers you are looking for. Don’t be intimidated. I climbed the ladder from a High School football coach (with a losing record) to an NFL football team, because I was willing to do two things. Work my ass off and be willing to ask for help.
Three Keys to Success
Always believe in yourself. Trust that you are able to do whatever it is that you set your mind to. Surround yourself with people who support and believe in you as much, if not more, than you believe in yourself. When you do these three things you will be on your way to living your optimal life!
Have an amazing day!
