On Purpose III: “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.”

Greetings from Ixtapa, Mexico, where I have had the privilege and pleasure of moderating a leadership circle here at Opportunity Collaboration, a gathering of a global network of leaders dedicated to building sustainable solutions to poverty and injustice. This week, as I've gotten to connect with and lead delegate conversations, I have felt truly aligned with my purpose and my passion. So it's apt that this third post in our purpose series is about passion, which is integral to my definition of purpose: "the place where your passion and talent meet the world's needs.” 

So we're on the same page; by passion, I'm referring to what the Oxford Dictionary says is “an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.” One of the most common reasons I hear from people when they're poo-pooing the idea of purpose is that they can't afford the luxury of pursuing their passion.  Trust me, I get the tension between having the liberty to explore and the resources to survive.  It's not fun. On another day, I will rail against the harm that hyper-capitalism has caused and the lie we've been told that if we can't monetize our dreams, they're not valuable.

For now, I'll point out that we don't have to choose between passion and practicality.  In fact, passion is not a nicety; passion is a necessity.  In the words of Queen Mother Maya Angelou, “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.”  If we're going to live out our purpose and excel at it, we must understand what motivates us, what we love enough that we would do for free, what excites us to wake up before our alarm clock, and inspires us to engage our days with joy.

To be clear, pursuing your passions isn't about quitting your day job when the whim strikes you; it's about finding ways to explore your interests that enable you to discover more of yourself and understand your purpose while fulfilling your responsibilities.

You Can Pursue Your Passion While Working To Earn A Living

Probably the best example I've seen of someone simultaneously pursuing their passions and earning an income is a friend who is an award-winning artist. He wanted to be a musician since he was a kid, but coming from where he came from, the odds that he would one day make music internationally were low. But he spent years honing his craft, writing, and networking.  As he did, he became clear that his purpose was to inspire and change narratives about Africa. Music would be his tool to do that.

In the years before he could make music full-time, he spent his days as a music teacher and working with young people. In the process, he changed their perspectives about Africa and what was possible for them.  This approach allowed him to do what he was passionate about, chase his big dream, and live his purpose while meeting his responsibilities. Now, he is challenging dominant norms about the continent globally. The outsized impact he has had was made possible because he didn't disregard his passion for music; he pursued it in every way he could.

So today, I invite you to begin to (re)explore your passions. Those things you've always been curious about and said, “one day,” you would try them. Make today that day and see what you learn about yourself and the gifts you are uniquely positioned to share with the world. And while you're at it…have a bit of fun.

If you'd like support in exploring your passions and purpose, consider Accelerate, my 6-week online course for women. Class starts October 27th, book a discovery call today.