The way we move through life truly comes down to our perspective. I knew my job going forward was to change my perspective in many areas. I had to approach my life the same way I approached making money. I needed to start living my life for a living.
If you want to be extraordinary in all areas of your life, including family, fitness, faith, and fortune, it starts with purpose and the right perspective.
I cringe when I read a book or hear a speaker claiming this process begins with passion. You hear it all the time: “You gotta have passion!” “Find your passion!”
I was stuck on that idea for a long time, and all it got me was frustration. I eventually realized that I was chasing the wrong thing. Passion is hard to find because it’s not the natural starting point of your journey to extraordinary achievement. If you’re looking for a train, you’re better off looking for a train station. If you need food, go to the supermarket.
If you want to find your passion, start with a purpose. Passion is not the initiator. It is the byproduct of finding your purpose and then being committed to pursuing it.
Remember this formula: Purpose + Commitment = Passion.
I started to think about my journey to extraordinary achievement like a tree. The roots are my purpose, in that they help me stay anchored.
Commitment is the trunk of the tree, growing little by little every day as it stretches skyward toward the sun. The branches that grow off that trunk represent my passion, and the fruit or leaves are traits like creativity, clarity, focus, determination, diligence, and thoughtfulness that are ignited by my passion. (Note to the young ones who are reading this: sorry, there are no apps or shortcuts for these extraordinary traits. You’ve got to earn them.)
I had been chasing passion and, to some degree, coming up empty. Now I knew I’d been chasing the wrong thing. I had to begin pursuing purpose and passion would follow.
Living on Purpose, by Brandon Steiner. Copyright © 2019 by Brandon Steiner.
You can buy Brandon’s new book here.
Browse Brandon Steiner’s content on BetterListen here.
I enjoyed the idea of living on purpose rather than passion.Many thanks
thanks for this article . good work
Share this article with her, and let her know that it has helped you to see that you may have made some errors in your behavior… Maybe she will appreciate the gesture and come around? Just a thought, from a stranger. I hope that things get better between the two of you.
Thank you and thank you for sharing
Nice article.. thank you very much for spending the time to write this post.
I love the idea of a poll! I know that all these ideas work well because you taught them to me and I have found a way to survive in the organic reach game!
Thanks for the great reminders, Kim. I’m not finding that poll page
Thank you so much for this information. It is very helpful.
Thank you so much for this information. It is very helpful. beautiful article
It is very helpful. beautiful article
I think this is one of the best blogs for me because this is really helpful for me.
I think this is one of the best blogs for me
thank you charles. incredibly well thought out and stated.
I love the idea of a poll
this is useful! I see many small businesses struggling with content
Thanks for the great articles
thanks for the reports