Passion or Emotion

We hear a lot about working with passion. It’s very important for you to express work that brings you passion and, more importantly, ignites passion in others. There should be hunger in your career. If there’s no passion, why are you doing it? There should be signature brilliance on the work you produce and create. Why? Because passion is the initiating and motivating force that drives you. It’s what gets you out the door each workday or if you work at home, gets you to your computer or on the phone. It’s what makes you smile, laugh, or concerned with how you can do it better, more strategically and efficiently.

Now, there’s a difference working with passion versus working with emotion. The APA describes emotion as a reactionary behaviour versus passion, which they describe as a conviction that affects you unwillingly. I believe unwillingly is a fascinating word because our passions become mantras and fuel how our mission is created. 

On my personal journey I’m learning about being more disciplined, whether financially; at work; spiritually; or in personal relationships. I’m learning how to deny my emotions and not let them stir me.  Rather I let my godly passion be the signpost stimulant where I sit and meditate. It’s the intersection of my reflection.

Working from an emotional state tends to create an unsteady, even unstable foundation. And Sticky Note Community - we’ve talked extensively about limiting beliefs, framing, and ensuring that your foundational beliefs are healthy and sound. Your feelings must be monitored because it determines how you approach situations at work, home and with friends. For example, if I’m upset or angry, I can’t perform at my most prudent level. As a leader and senior manager, that could be disastrous for my image and with those who trust me to bring sound advice. Yes, there are some situations where you have to be procedurally correct. There are laws of engagement to consider.

In my 30 years of production and 14 years of coaching, some of the work practices and behaviours I’ve observed have been downright inappropriate. Trust me; I’ve made my share of emotional decisions. In fact, I’m sure I could’ve been used as a flashing red stop sign with some of my past decisions. But I took time to process, learn and move forward gaining the noble lessons that today will help both of us with our next stepping stone. Remember, if I’m coaching on a subject, that means I’ve walked through it. In your workday, the pulling feeling that you translate to connect and collaborate with others is either a reactive fixation or proactive conviction. To work from passion means you understand there are rules of law. For example, Newton’s third law states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. From which side are you working? Is it from passion or emotion?

Those that work from passion understand everything will not be fun and exciting. Passion incorporates responsibility and accountability. That’s where your discipline comes in. To say, “I don’t feel like learning something new today.” is an emotional statement. Children tell you they don’t feel like doing something. In the US, in this new digital and I4.0 age, we no longer have the luxury of refusing to upskill because we don’t feel like it. Rather a state of passion intrinsically persuades you to question and problem-solve your way to a more productive work environment. As an entrepreneur, you may not like to record videos for your audience, but your discipline convicts you to cultivate the hard skills and creative soft skills you need. You shift forward; into action – not reaction. Ultimately you see a captured audience and work success.

There are thingamajigs you desire, possessions you’re dreaming about, issues you have passion for – but are you well with doing and experiencing these thingies with passion and without emotion. Are you able to discipline your emotions? Are you passionately comfortable with the uncomfortable? Be still and meditate on how to divide the passion and emotion in your work.

Live a passionate Life Today! #ejencalarde #livelifetoday #lifecoachingtips #stickynotecommunity #passion

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