When I was a kid, I was constantly getting in trouble. Grounded at home. Disruptive at school. I meant well, but couldn’t contain or properly channel my abundant energy. But everything changed when I found a passion and received priceless advice from a trusted mentor.
Do you know what brings you joy and inspiration, and are you using your passions to fuel your life? We’re in Scottsdale, Arizona.
When I was a kid, I was constantly getting in trouble. Grounded at home. Disruptive at school. I meant well, but couldn’t contain or properly channel my abundant energy. Then, I found juggling and acrobatics. Physical tests. And suddenly, my deficits became strengths, and I found focus and discipline through relentless practice.
Many people thought this to be a passing phase. But one person said to me, “Dan I can see what this means to you. Don’t ever let this out of your life.” Not only did I heed that advice, but I made it a central part of my personal and professional identity. Four decades later, and through many iterations, those passions continue to serve me well.
This example underscores the power of one person’s influence, challenging all of us to better see and encourage others. Let it also empower you to lean in to what calls to you. Embrace what you love as a means for personal expression and a source for lifelong inspiration.
Why would we ever abandon our passions? Well, I can think of multiple reasons. Life gets busy, stressful, expensive, and serious. It feels irresponsible to prioritize passions over the practical. You may also feel, on some level, undeserving of joy, play, and the indulgence of your interests. With life’s demands, they seem like an escape from what is inevitable or truly important.
Don’t buy it. When you seek, acknowledge, and prioritize your passions, you establish a personal charging station. And because learning is cumulative and excellence has universal aspects, you can repurpose insights, skills, and confidence.
You can’t give away what you don’t have. So seriously, pursue joy and meaning. And when you find it, don’t let it out of your life. Until next week, stay Off Balance On Purpose.