Sunday, November 28, 2010

Passion: The Key Ingredient to Success

There is a saying in the business world and business schools about success that goes like this: "Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation." I would like to propose a new factor in that equation and that is Passion. And not just Passion in the sense of powerful emotions. Passion being how you approach everything you do in your life - another definition in the dictionary is "Boundless Enthusiasm". Think about it. We are usually motivated by external factors: I want to make X amount of money, I want to live in X place, I want to own X number of cars, I want to travel the world. But that can only get you so far, because eventually when the going gets tough, you will probably STOP going. Those motivators can only drive you to a certain degree. Passion lives in a different place ... being motivated for mental or emotional reasons are great and they are necessary, however they are not enough. Passion lives in the core of your self and if what drives you does not live in every fiber of your being, I would venture to guess the end result will not be as fulfilling.

Look at any successful person around you. Really look at their mode of operation. Are they not passionate about what they do? Are they not passionate about what they stand for? Are they not passionate about their vision or the journey they are undertaking? It is that passion that takes them to that place that few get to travel! It is because of their passion. The funny thing is being passionate about what you do doesn't have to fit the box of "only when i'm at my dream job" or "only when i meet the love of my life." I can attest to this personally because when I was working a "normal" job, chained to my desk, 9 to 5, with the voices in my head on repeat saying "this is definitely not what i want to be when i grow up", you know what got me through? That I was passionate about doing the best job I possibly could! I was no kidding passionate about my work ethic. It is what drove me and it is what continues to drive me.

"Follow your passion, and success will follow you." ~Arthur Buddhold

So if you are not passionate about what you do ... I implore you to stop and ask yourself why not? And if what you are doing in your life, in your career, is not something you are passionate about ... you have a choice, and your choices are as follows: Either find out what you ARE passionate about and go that route, so that you can be fulfilled and happy and thriving OR change your perspective! Look at your current situation and ask yourself, "What about this CAN I be passionate about? What part of this lines up with my values?" Values are core beliefs such as honesty, connection, making a difference, etc. that make up who we are. Figure out how your situation can honor your value and GET passionate! We can choose to be passionate or not and it doesn't just have to be about your job, but what a great place to start. I tell you what ... I am passionate about the relationships in my life. My friends and support system mean the world to me, but my passion for my relationships and having that deep connection with people is what keeps me fostering and nurturing those relationships. I'm passionate about being an entrepreneur, so I am constantly looking at ways I can stay self employed, have my freedom and blaze trails. And I am head over heels passionate about my coaching career, because I get to make a difference, to empower and inspire other people to figure out what THEY are passionate about and live their best lives.

So you see ... passion isn't just an equation for success in the work world, but it is a fundamental piece for success in your LIFE. I will leave you with the following quote, written by an expert at success in the business world:

"With out passion you don't have energy, with out energy you have nothing." ~Donald Trump

Prosperity is yours for the taking if you can tap in to your passion. Faith is what guides us but passion is what drives us!

November 30, 2010 - NV

posted by Natalie Vartanian @ 3:28 PM 0 Comments

Friday, November 12, 2010

A Visit to Refugio

The past couple of weeks have had a disheartening quality to them; as if the coming winter is drawing me in to the seductive lure of hibernation and melancholy. It has me in a state of sadness and disinterest in everything around me. Maybe it is natural to question our journey from time to time and evaluate whether what we are striving for is truly what we desire.

In times like these, a trip to nature is the only thing that revives my spirit. A road trip was in order and Santa Barbara was the destination. Whenever I visit the ocean, I remind myself of the courage and inspiration I hold so dear. Like magic, I become present to the greatness of the world. Is this not what we all live for? Those moments of beauty and passion that take our breath away, those experiences of knowing the jewel of a lesson we have been given? I know it is for me.

There is a peace I feel in my core and even when I doubt, or panic slowly creeps in, it is there ... the groundedness that everything is for our learning and growth. When I connect to that perspective, I honestly become humbled and engaged. A genuine inquisitiveness takes over and the world becomes wonderful (literally - full of wonder). There is no right or wrong, just awe at the intricacies of natural order.

The water talks to me of the power and gracefulness that can co-exist in every one of us. When thinking of the ocean, does it not represent both serene bliss as much as stormy seas? The ocean has no control of its nature, all it can do is BE the OCEAN. There is no judgment or doubt as to the tide being low or high, it simply follows the cycle of life. When we can embrace the extremes of our being as pure nature, we truly ease in to our glorious existence. I walked away with the comfort that it is all fine and good ... I am in the ebb of this flow.

November 7, 2010 - NV

posted by Natalie Vartanian @ 10:21 AM 0 Comments