Comments on: Are You Pursuing Your Passion or Just Being Practical?

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:29:09 +0000

Hi Janie, you are absolutely correct and that’s why we need to find a practical way to pursue our passions. Let’s go back to the lemonade illustration as an example. I know a guy who created a very successful online business with lemonade. He did a very old cleans called the Master Cleans which involves drinking a combination of fresh squeezed lemonade, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper several times a day. He loved the results so much that he turned the instructions for the program into a product called the Lemonade Diet. He now makes a very good living from lemonade. When passion is pursued in a practical way, success is often the result.

By: Janie

Janie — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:06:26 +0000

I think you do have to be practical in some sense when it comes to passion. I know someone who was laid off from his job and does not want to return to corporate America. He never wants to wear a suit again, he doesn’t want to commute, and he loves the outdoors. He is so passionate about being an entrepreneur, but he keeps choosing opportunities that are not practical and each one has failed. Here is an extreme example: Joe loves lemonade and it makes him feel so happy. He thinks that as long as he has a positive outlook he will be fine. He has no money so he sets out a lemonade stand (not a kid one, but a nice professional looking one) in front of his house. He sits out there each and every day looking his best and hoping for the best. It makes him happy to work right outside his home (no commute), sitting in the beautiful sun, and wearing comfortable clothes. But not 1 customer! Why? Because he lives at the end of a dead end street and his closest neighbor is 1/2 a mile away! Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to support yourself or your family, even if that means returning to corporate America…

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:16:16 +0000

Everything in life involves a choice, and yes, some choices are difficult. Here is what I suggest. Make an honest list of the of the pros and cons of each choice. Put those lists away for three days and try to think about other things while your subconscious mind does its thing. After three days, go back and read those lists to see which one truly resonates with you. Read them again. Now make a choice and then follow through on your choice with commitment and action. Once you have started don’t waste time reconsidering or thinking “what if.” Decide, Commit, Act.

By: Allison

Allison — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:44:22 +0000

How do you shed the burden of a relationship that is all security and love, but might inhibit your evolution of passionate pursuits by way of compromise? It is not your partner’s fault that your passionate pursuit would land you in other countries to be a part rich cultural landscapes that now seem more of a fantasy than a possibility. How do you attain this sort of “letting go” that seems necessary to make 100% of your decisions without relationship constraints? I prepare myself to give in to my passions fully- paint pictures here and there, write thoughtful existential emails to close friends, plan out blogs, analyze lyrics of songs that move me- but I’m still stuck at compromise. Jonathan, maybe you know how to divorce my former self for someone that has the potential (scary, yes) to be ten thousand times bigger. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am twenty-four and feel as though I am married to mediochrity already.

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:49:27 +0000

Hi Paul, I have a strong feeling that your courage will pay off big time. Once you close all the exits there is only one way to go – forward. I would love it if you would keep me updated on your progress.

By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills

Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:47:14 +0000

Hi Cyra, that is excellent. Please keep us updated on you adventure.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:30:06 +0000

Hi yes this is a great post. I have had to make the decision myself this year whether to pursue a secure financial position or just blast away at my passions 100%. I am on the journey for following my passions and it is an amazing and yes scary feeling at the same time I believe that everything will turn our ok. In fact having spent 20 of my precious years working full time I feel fortunate to be able to spend some more quality time doing what I love. It really is motivating and empowering to pursue your dreams because you feel like you are switched onto something better. I am still getting up a 5am everyday and working until at least 7pm doing what I love and at the same time keeping super productive. Financially it maybe challenging however, when you do decide to drop the secure life as an employee you find that there are ways and means of getting by. Time is more precious than money and you cannot make more money unless you have more time. So I will continue this journey for now and give it 100% full blast. Rock on passion followers.
Paul recently posted..A Musician’s Journey To Overcoming Procrastination Pt 1

By: Can You Really Turn Your Passion into Profit?

Can You Really Turn Your Passion into Profit? — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:08:10 +0000

[...] rich these days. What a great marketing hook. Think about it, who doesn’t want to turn their passion into [...]