See your passion for what it is

There is much talk about ‘finding’ your passion, or keeping your passion burning.

What is passion?

An innate interest?

Talent?

Purpose?

Whatever words or definitions you like to use, it’s inconsequential because it’s possibly not a thing but a feeling. You can agree that it’s probably something you are naturally drawn to, or something that you feel strongly about. It can evoke a strong emotional response within you – joy, anger, excitement, anticipation etc. We usually associate passionate energy with energy that are highly activating and hence motivating.

It’s good to have a spark or a powerful motivation to get us started, and give procrastination a kick in the butt. But that’s all to it. 

See passion for what it is.

But Don’t depend on your feelings of passion to persist in your work.

Passion doesn’t power consistency or ensure good finishing. The more grounded, boring and stable energy does the work – discipline, routine practicing, resilience and consistency. Imagine that energy you have for brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, and walking the dog. The ability to ride through the boredom, the dread or the routine is what does the work. 

You might be passionate about personal growth, and you read book after book. Meditation is so cool and I know it’s good, but the actual sitting down and watching the breath is a bit of a put off after a while. And it’s really boring? It most likely is. Doesn’t that sound similar to the real important things you want to do in life, like your bucket list? Writing a book, starting a business, or a new hobby. The passionate energy arises at the ideation stage. But tends to die off when the doing starts.

It’s perfectly normal, and I will repeat this again – you just have to see passion for what it is. That’s it. You don’t have to go searching for another passion that is long lasting. Because no feelings are long lasting.