[box options]From Andrew: Today we’ve got a stellar guest post by Scott Kerzner. Scott and his family embarked on Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover plan over four years ago. Early this spring, they plan on becoming debt-free. Talk about creativity–they’re living it. His blog, www.indueseason.net serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for all of those out there that battle debt, try to live on less than they make, or just plain want to save money. Subscribe to his RSS feed and receive great anecdotes, advice, and humor.[/box]
As creatives, we sometimes hit a wall.
Every so often, hopefully more not than often, ideas don’t come to us easily. Some days we just can’t think of anything. We stare at an empty screen. We rest our fingers on the keyboard waiting for something to come to us, like when you turn the key of a stalled car again and again, hoping each time that it will magically start.
There is no magic. Just passion. Showing up doesn’t cut it on its own. You’ve got to bring your “A game” every day. And that’s the challenge. It’s what separates nailing it in versus mailing it in.
Passion in Action
Years ago, a couple of friends helped me replace an exterior door on my house. After many adjustments and shims, the door still weren’t quite right. One of my friends ran home to get his wood plane, came back over, and spent the next hour carefully shaving down the door to perfection. My other friend commented, “Dude, you do that like it’s your job”.
He could have easily helped us force the door in, shimmed and wedged it until we made it fit, and gone home and done his own thing. He demonstrated the same passion on the project at my house as if it were his own.
Your passion goes with you everywhere you go. It’s not something you turn off when your shift ends at work, after you finish writing an article, or even when sticking to a budget. Passion is a constant. It’s what fights through the empty page. It harnesses creativity, and consequently yields success.
Conversely, when you lack passion, you take that with you, too. Everyone who comes in contact with your actions and language sees it. In your interactions on the job, in the article they are reading, or in the door that didn’t quite close correctly. And you can see it in yourself before anyone else ever sees your final product. You know when you’re giving it your all, or not giving at all.
Passion = Positive Outcome
Your budget is no exception. If you slacked off all month, you know it. You don’t have to wait until the end of the month to know you blew it.
When you’re passionate about something, you try harder. Trying harder yields two possible results.
Success, as expected or better.
Failure, but with a life lesson, so it doesn’t happen again.
So be passionate. Succeed. Or, fail and figure out why, then succeed.
Write that book and get it published. Shine so brightly at work that people notice when you’re not there. Stick to that monthly budget so you can get out of debt one month sooner.
Passion, not magic, is the key that will make that stalled car start—and keep it running.
How do you stay passionate?
You’re right, every day demands that you bring your A game – I love that. And if you’re passionate, it shows in the results. Sometimes I need to be reminded that I’ve chosen to write, that I’m passionate about it, especially when the alarm goes off at five.
Yes, it’s hard to get up early to chase your dream or reach your goals when the passion isn’t there. Not only is your level of passion reflected in your results, but it’s also reflected in your ability to get started!
Thanks for your comments!
I think the key is to find what you are passionate about. Too many of us are going through the motions of life with no idea what we are truly passionate about. We just get up, go work and come home. That’s truly sad.
Agreed. Sometimes we don’t realize what our passion is until we feel compelled to improve in a particular task.
It’s when we know we can do better, and strive to, that it hits us.
And once we find that stride, nothing can stop us.
Passion = Positive outcome, what a great formula!!!
My passion as you might know is leadership so I’m always writing, thinking about, practicing, and developing myself in this area. When I get around other people my passion for leadership rubs off onto other people.
Thanks for commenting, Dan. You know you’re on the right track when your attitudes and actions rub off on others around you! That’s true leadership!
Good stuff, Scott. I’m a bit of a Ramseyite myself and am glad to have discovered your blog. Great word on Passion as well as a subtle reminder that I’m behind on my budget! Gettin’ on that asap.
Passion, plus a shot of endurance! It’s a hard plan to stick to, but you very quickly figure out that there’s no turning back once you get started.
We drank the cool-aid and are loving it!
Thanks for commenting and stay on track! You can do it!