THAT QUESTION that Gordon keeps asking....

I think finding one's passion is aided by asking a few questions: can I imagine myself doing anything else? If I won the lottery tomorrow, would I still be doing this?

Sometimes when we are AFRAID of something, that is an indication that it is what we should be doing. Think about it for a moment...if I took a job at McDonald's today, I certainly wouldn't be afraid of it. Who cares? It has nothing to do with my life goals, so my success or failure at the job isn't going to affect me too much. Now imagine someone who has a dream to manage and some day OWN a McDonald's. That person may be very scared of applying for a job, even as the counter help.

Why? Because they are afraid of failing. If they fail at this entry-level position, they will never see their true passion and dreams realized. That person CARES what happens, because the passion is there.

Now for myself--I am working my way through grad school, and I am very concerned about every thing I do, because all of it is going to have a direct bearing on one of my passions--research and teaching.

What happens if I won the lottery tomorrow? I would take some time off (lord knows I need it), and then I would continue going to school. I am THAT passionate about my dreams.

I also write quite a bit. I know this is my passion for a few reasons: I started my second book before I put the first one up for sale. A ha! I am not in this for the money...I do it for passion. Second, I can't imagine doing anything else (indeed, most of what I do at grad school is researching and writing, so writing in my "spare" time is a natural extension). Lastly, it doesn't feel like work. It is pure fun for me--I will get up VERY early in the morning to get some "work" done before I go to school at 8:00, and I will stay up very late. Even with very little sleep, the adrenaline rush of doing what I love has kept me going for YEARS!!

Becky

p.s. Dien, I emailed you about this matter. Just so you know where the email came from...


Does your web site need a booster shot?