Ignite Your Passion: Four Simple Steps to Transform Your Life

I find it fascinating to listen when people are really talking about something about which they feel passionately. Their voice becomes stronger. They speak more rapidly. Sometimes they speak louder. Their voice quality changes in a way that moves the words they are saying from their mouth, into their throat, and then to their chest. My impression is always that the words are now coming from their heart.

The transformation is pretty remarkable. Ordinary conversations turn into passionate speeches. The difference is that their passion has been ignited.

If you want to ignite the passion in your life, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Be willing to allow passion into your life.

This may sound strange, but some people are most comfortable living with a degree of numbness. Living passionately demands energy, commitment and playing at 100%. That isn’t always comfortable, but the rewards for allowing yourself to be passionate about something near and dear to your heart are beyond measure.

Step 2: Allow yourself to connect with the things that are most important to you.

What matters most to you in the world?
What causes are you willing to take a stand for?
What are you willing to fight for?
What angers you most in the world?
What is it, that when you talk about it to others, makes your voice reverberate with emotion and passion?
What is it that makes you want to "jump on board" when people talk to you about it?

Step 3: Take action.

Passion isn't just about being interested in something that is important. Passion is about action. Your passion compels you! Sitting back isn’t an option. When you feel passionately about something, it is like that song that compels you to move when you hear it. When you have that reaction to something, it is likely that you’ve found something about which you are passionate.

Step 4: Make sure that you don't derail that passion with limitations.

Sometimes the issue about which you feel passionate seems too big. You wonder, "What can I do? I’m only one person. How can I make a difference in this area?"

The truth is that one person CAN make a difference. If you feel passionately about something, you tend to talk with others about it, and that passion shows through. You ignite passion in others. Then it isn’t just a single person tackling a huge problem. It is a groundswell of passionate individuals, uniting and bringing about the synergy that is so amazing when like-minded individuals pull together toward a common goal.

The truth is that your limitations are only in your mind, but they can stop you before you start. While you may encounter obstacles, there are always ways around them and through them. Before you stop yourself with your limitations, ask yourself "What would I do if I knew I could not fail?" Identify what resources you need in order to be successful.

Passion can drive us forward toward amazing accomplishments, but we first must ignite that passion and allow it to take hold in our lives. When it does, our lives take on a meaning that feeds that passion and brings immense joy.

(c) 2009 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.