In a couple of weeks we'll have the pleasure of celebrating Valentine’s Day, or National Single Awareness Day, depending on your situation. Last year on Valentine's I was running a few errands in the early evening and noticed all the effort being made to show expressions of love. As I contemplated all of the preparation and effort going into this heart-filled holiday, I wondered what it would be like if everyone put that same effort and heart into other worthy passions. I’m talking about the passions that you and I have for things that interest us in life. What if everyone, every day, did what they loved to do? I for one, think we should.
Let’s think about why it’s so important. Simply put: you will be at your best when you are doing what you love. I once had the opportunity to hear Condoleeza Rice speak at a major university. Rice said that she has often been asked about what lead to her great success. Her short answer: “I started as a failed piano performance major.” At the University of Denver, Rice said that she came to find that many piano performance majors could sight-read pieces it took her months learn. She recounted how she feared she would never be more than the pianist at Nordstrom. So, she decided to change majors. She struggled to find something that she really loved. After stumbling into a Russian and Soviet Studies course, she found her passion: Soviet Studies and international diplomacy. The rest is history. A history that includes being a part of world events such as the Berlin wall coming down and the dissolving of the Soviet Union.
Don't let the pursuit of your passions be limited by others who are unable to think outside of the box they put you in.
Rice said that people at her university asked, “What’s a black girl from Alabama doing as a Soviet Studies major?” She could have chosen to let herself be constrained by stereotypes. Instead, she chose to make her own road and her own type.
Find your passion and doors will open for you.
When Rice decided on a Soviet Studies major, she didn't have the end goal of becoming Secretary of State. But, as she continued through her career, she realized that pursuing her passion allowed her to open doors she was excited about.
Even when a secondary passion comes along, you can still maintain your primary passion.
When Rice was the national security adviser, she received a phone call from Yo Yo Ma, the renowned cellist, who wanted to perform with her. She remembers thinking, “Sure, Yo Yo Ma, we’ll jam.” Rice said she was under no delusions that Yo Yo Ma wanted to work with her for her prowess on the piano. She understood that her passion of Soviet Studies had led to her being Secretary of State, and that had opened the door for her have an incredible experience with her first passion, playing the piano.
In education, profession, and hobby we all must decide in what areas we are going to put forth our time and talents. The sooner you decide to start putting your efforts into the things you’re passionate about, the more opportunities you’ll have in those passions.
Doing what you love is the only way to eventually land your dream job, even if you don't know what it is yet.
Let’s think about why it’s so important. Simply put: you will be at your best when you are doing what you love. I once had the opportunity to hear Condoleeza Rice speak at a major university. Rice said that she has often been asked about what lead to her great success. Her short answer: “I started as a failed piano performance major.” At the University of Denver, Rice said that she came to find that many piano performance majors could sight-read pieces it took her months learn. She recounted how she feared she would never be more than the pianist at Nordstrom. So, she decided to change majors. She struggled to find something that she really loved. After stumbling into a Russian and Soviet Studies course, she found her passion: Soviet Studies and international diplomacy. The rest is history. A history that includes being a part of world events such as the Berlin wall coming down and the dissolving of the Soviet Union.
Don't let the pursuit of your passions be limited by others who are unable to think outside of the box they put you in.
Rice said that people at her university asked, “What’s a black girl from Alabama doing as a Soviet Studies major?” She could have chosen to let herself be constrained by stereotypes. Instead, she chose to make her own road and her own type.
Find your passion and doors will open for you.
When Rice decided on a Soviet Studies major, she didn't have the end goal of becoming Secretary of State. But, as she continued through her career, she realized that pursuing her passion allowed her to open doors she was excited about.
Even when a secondary passion comes along, you can still maintain your primary passion.
When Rice was the national security adviser, she received a phone call from Yo Yo Ma, the renowned cellist, who wanted to perform with her. She remembers thinking, “Sure, Yo Yo Ma, we’ll jam.” Rice said she was under no delusions that Yo Yo Ma wanted to work with her for her prowess on the piano. She understood that her passion of Soviet Studies had led to her being Secretary of State, and that had opened the door for her have an incredible experience with her first passion, playing the piano.
In education, profession, and hobby we all must decide in what areas we are going to put forth our time and talents. The sooner you decide to start putting your efforts into the things you’re passionate about, the more opportunities you’ll have in those passions.
Doing what you love is the only way to eventually land your dream job, even if you don't know what it is yet.
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