It’s been said that passion drives change. I don’t agree. I think passion can be a catalyst or an adrenaline rush, but it is not the driver of change. Passion, on its own, falters quickly. It is not meant for the long-term, and the long-term is what is in question when it comes to systemic change.
Exercise is a good example; many people have the “passion” to exercise at the beginning of the year. Life intrudes and other commitments arise and, by the middle of March, exercise is a fleeting thought, perhaps a twinge of guilt. The passion for being healthier dies a quick death. Passion does not result in change.
Passion, on its own, drives nothing. It’s only when it’s tied to a larger purpose – an end goal – that it begins to take shape as something other than a fleeting emotion. Purpose is not the magic solution, either; businesses fail because they can’t translate that purpose into something understandable. Employees don’t understand how the company’s purpose is to drive their work, and customers can’t buy into the purpose because it is too abstract.
Passion and purpose mean and drive nothing as long as they remain entities floating in the air. They have to be brought back to the ground: “This is what it means when we say we’re ‘a,’ ‘b,’ or ‘c.’ We take these steps because we believe these things.” They have to be translated into concrete, actionable steps. Passion and purpose have to be turned from ethereal thoughts to a commitment to taking the necessary and specific steps that will drive change.
Image: Who Cares? (CC BY NC SA)
You’re so right Erin: passion without action, and passion in and of itself, is not enough. And thanks for the lovely tip of the hat: I appreciate it 🙂 Cheers! Kaarina
KDillabough I think there’s a reason passion is compared to fire – it can go out of control or die a quick death if not tended to.
Certainly! I’m happy to link back to people.
Years ago my regional boss said that “our commitment must drive our passion, not the other way around.” He had it right. Great article
Thank you!