When passion just doesn't seem to be enough!

In my previous post (Don’t waste another moment) I discussed how you need to be steadfast when you set out to accomplish something.  You need to drive through the obstacles life loves throwing at you that try to slow you down by getting in your way.  I don’t know about you but when I finally get the itch to do something, I get that “britches on fire” feeling - I am READY to roll.  I dive head first into that vein and relentlessly pursue my objective.

I bought a new house last year and boy was I excited.  I had a thousand projects I wanted to complete.  I wanted to paint, replace light fixtures and faucets and on and on and on.  As I was moving in, my motivation and passion was second to none.  I felt as if I had a IV drip of red bull constantly feeding me energy.  I was painting this and painting that.  I was replacing this and replacing that but eventually, things began to slow down as did the completion of my projects.  I’m sure you have been there, right? 

You see, passion as I often thought about, was the end all be all.  I would say something like, “If you are passionate, you will get it done.”  As I began to think and study this more, I soon realized that I had it all wrong.  Well, at least most of it.  Passion alone will get you a trip to Lowe’s to buy paint so that you can repaint a room.  Passion alone will start momentum but it is only part of the equation.  If you want to succeed, to push your limits and grow, you need more than passion.  You need discipline and commitment.  I remember hearing someone say, “Passion will keep you moving as long as things move quickly and results are noticed”.  When results begin to slow down, this is when discipline and commitment take over.

Think about this, how many times have you started a project and as soon as it got boring, you found your passion started to dwindle.  Maybe you got the wall painted but got bored when you had to wait for the first coat to dry so you put it off.  I truly feel one of the biggest differences between those who ultimately succeed and those who do not is how you handle the boring times.  That moment when progress is not evident is when most fall off the wagon - especially when progress is related to things like fitness where a lot of effort is required. 

To add, we live in a society where instant gratification is important, for better or worse.  We want it now! now! now! and will pay/do anything if we can get it now.  You have been there - you order something online and struggle with the delay of receiving what you ordered.  I also feel we get what we ask for but often don’t understand what we ask for.  As I have to tell myself, things worth having are worth waiting for and working for. Some goals are easy to accomplish while others may take months or even years.  The journey may be long however what you learn in the process is invaluable.  Don't find the easy way out, while you might reach the goal quicker what you lose is the lessons you learn along the journey.  Life has something to teach you every single day.  Take advantage of the learning opportunities that constantly surround you.

Many people will tell you that a goal is only a dream until you write it down.  If you struggle with the boring moments or those times were progress is not evident or slow, look at the goal you wrote down and think about how it’s going to feel when you finally get there.  It may not be easy but I assure you, if you stay true to your goals and fight through the no-so-fun times, the payout at the end will be great.

So I ask you – are you going to buckle when things get tough or are you going to dig deep with discipline and commitment to see your goal out?  To succeed is a choice as is to fail... which will you do?