Why Following Your Passion Is Not A Desire But A Need

Guilty as charged! How many of us growing up have made decisions like this? Never mind growing up — how many of us have made decisions like this as adults going through working life? Sacrificing our creative passions on the altar of making a buck! Do these excuses seem familiar to you?

Now that is a question! What would I want to do every day if money was no object? It’s worthwhile spending the time to not only daydream and really imagine our ideal day, but to actually write those dreams down on paper. What would my ideal day look like if time and money were no object? Try this, and you’ll be surprised by the passion it unleashes. Indeed, it is so useful as an exercise that it is one of the first questions the great Alan Watts asked when he addressed an audience of young people.

Is it possible to follow our passion and make a living? Ask writers from J.K. Rowling to Zadie Smith, filmmakers from Steven Spielberg to James Cameron, artists from Jeff Wall to Tracy Emin, musicians from Adele to Will.i.am, sportspeople from David Beckham to Usain Bolt. Whatever the creative industry, there are many, many people out there — not just the brightest stars — making their passion pay. It can even potentially pay much more than the traditionally esteemed jobs our education system places on a pedestal.

With the explosion of internet technology, social media and freelancing, it is easier than ever to make creative work pay. Indeed, the ability for anyone to self-publish online has been called the new Gutenburg revolution! Musicians no longer need record companies to get started, artists no longer need a sponsor, visual communicators no longer need a film production company. So, if you decide to quit your job to follow your passion, there are more avenues than ever for turning your avocation into a vocation!

For other industries and passions, business start-up help is actually quite easy to come by. You can even do it extremely low cost. So it is worthwhile channeling your passion: sitting down, getting creative and making a plan. Definitely look up a mentor who has already walked the path before you; someone who can cut years off your journey and give you priceless insight into opportunities and pitfalls. And if you don’t get started on this now …when will you?

A veteran care nurse recently revealed the top regrets of the dying. Now if that list doesn’t prove why following your passion is a need, not a desire, then nothing will! “I wish I discovered my purpose earlier.” “I wish I had taken more risks.” “I wish I had taken better care of myself.” “I wish I’d allowed myself to love.” “I wish I had touched more lives and inspired more people.” “I wish I had been a better partner or parent.”

Doing something you hate. Ever tried it? Guilty once again! I’m sure many of us know the feeling. It’s the real life evidence that following our passion is a concrete need. We’re not going to get that time back, and it’s better to realize this sooner rather than later.

Once said a wise man. Buddha. He was pretty wise. Said another wise man. Socrates. He was also pretty wise. Lao Tzu. Another ‘wise guy’.

What do you want to be saying at the end? “I discovered my purpose, and gave myself to it.” “I was brave enough to take risks and learn lessons.” “I took good care of myself, and reaped the rewards.” “I loved.” “I was a great partner and parent.” “I touched many lives and inspired many people.”