Reposition passion
What if our definitions of passion are hurting instead of sparking us? What would happen if we positioned passion differently — from something for which we suffer to something for which we pause and oxygenate?
Of late, I’ve heard the refrain, “Passion is what you stay late for. Passion is what keeps you going when the going gets hard.”
Is it?
“Passion is what you’d do for no external reward.”
Is it?
“Passion is what you’d do no matter what because you have to. It’s bigger than you.”
Is it?
“Passion is what keeps us pushing. Passion is unrelentless.”
Is it?
“Passion requires and creates extra energy. This is what distinguishes it from a hobby or interest.”
Is it?
“The Latin root of passion is patior, the same root for patient: its meaning is to suffer or endure. Passion is about suffering or enduring.”
Is it?
I can concur with the extra level of energy that comes with passion, but I question whether passion (necessarily) equals pain and whether pain is needed for passion to exist. (I am currently reading Paul Bloom’s The Sweet Spot, so I may come back to you on this.)
I do grow concerned about workplaces and humans who vilify others for not having high levels of passion for their work, who criticise and disparage those who are also passionate about their emotional, mental and physical health, who ringfence time and attention for their personal relationships and their outside-work passions.
For as long as I’ve been an adult (almost four decades), sleeping fewer than 6 hours a night and working 50–60-hour weeks have been badges of honour in corporate culture (and beyond). Now, it appears it’s not the hours but the energy one brings to one’s work that is the badge of honour. “Work hard, play hard.” “Be the last one standing.” “Just do it.”
I wonder what would happen if we positioned passion as something that thrives in relationship to pause (rest). That in taking the space and time we need to pause, to rest, to breathe, we breathe more oxygen into our passion, not less.
I wonder what would happen if we positioned passion as all the more powerful when suffering, pain, and scarcity are not part of the story we tell, sell and believe. That in changing the energy from one of pushing and suffering to one of playing with, delighting in and experiencing flow, we grow our energy and creativity, and ultimately more passion, not less.
I wonder.
Feel free to share this article, or give a “clap” if you enjoyed it. For more information on my fascination with passion, pause and play, Hit Pause, Then Play.
