To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable. – Beethoven
From the moment I read this quote I’ve not stopped thinking about it. It has come up over and over again in my mind.
As a thought about its application to my life and work, I realized that it is really a litmus test to determine whether or not we are living and leading with passion. Here’s how…
Playing Safe?
How often do you hit the wrong key – play the wrong note? We all do it. If you have been in leadership long, you’ve made plenty of mistakes.
So when you make a mistake, do you get derailed? Or do you acknowledge it, evaluate it, and move on?
How do your mistakes impact your future decisions? Do they create hesitation and fear?
What Is Passion?
Some people see passion as a temporary burst of energy or effort toward a given cause or project. Others might view it as something dangerous that causes too many fanatics to act without restraint.
In the context of leadership, passion is the fuel that drives us to do what we do best. It is the underlying motivation that compels us toward our life goals. Passion fuels your “Why”.
[Tweet “Passion is the fuel that drives us to do what we do best.”]
Simon Sinek gave an incredible TED talk about how our “Why” is the core reason we have for doing whatever it is we do.
Unfortunately, too many people are doing things (jobs, education, family, etc.) without a clear “Why”. Either they’ve forgotten or neglected it, or they’ve never taken the time to determine it.
Inexcusable!
Whether for temporary reasons or otherwise, these leaders are playing without a clear “Why?” – without passion! And I agree with Beethoven – this is simply inexcusable.
We cannot afford to live and work without clarity. When we lead without a clear and driving passion, we are limiting our own potential and the collective potential of those we lead.
[Tweet “When we lead without passion, we are limiting our own potential.”]
Take Action!
If you lack passion in your own leadership, now is the time to act. If you’ve never found your passion – your “Why” – then pause long enough to figure out what it is that fires you up and gets you moving. Define it and go get it.
If you have allowed your passion to fade from your immediate focus, make the changes necessary to bring it back to the forefront of your leadership. Put some reminders along your path so you never allow it to fade again.
Play hard!
Live and work with that passion in every area of your life. Be bold enough to make mistakes and view them in their proper context. Learn from them, but don’t allow them to define or limit your leadership. Play on!
When we lead with passion, we experience results we never thought possible. Those who follow notice the difference and join you (or leave!). Your team can then have the impact that you have always desired.
[Tweet “When we lead with passion, we experience results we never thought possible.”]
Take action now. To do otherwise is inexcusable!
I really enjoyed this post. I liked the quotes a lot too. I agree that leading without passion can limit our potential. I never realized how important having passion in the things you do was until now. I will now try to change my lack of passion so I can do all of the things it allows me to do.
Love it John! Thanks for connecting my friend.
This is my first time to post on any blog, so if I ramble on, then please forgive me… I feel that one reason why people don’t play with passion is simply due to the fact that they have never taken the time to truly figure out what their passion revolves around. Writing, blogging, speaking… all these things take time to hone, but trying to do all things to perfection leads to frustration, which in turn takes the passion (and fun) out of the activity. Find one thing, sharpen your skills in that area and use your new found excitement to drive your passion and lead you to your next adventure! Thoughts are appreciated…
Great thought Kevin. I think everyone of us struggles with this on some level.
Ever feel like living with passion makes you an outsider? It’s most commonly termed “sets you apart.” It’s necessary, I realize, but it’s also a struggle many find difficult to overcome. Thoughts?
You’re right Kari. In a sense, it makes you an outsider to many who do not and/or will not understand your life and work. AND it makes you an insider for those who will. Good thought.
Kari, this is certainly true, but usually only with people not playing with passion. Even if your pursuit is one they do not understand, there can be a connection due simply to the passion with which you pursue it! Also, I have found others “catching” my passion and running with it themselves. Don’t back off!
great post; I have been living with passion for over nine years now. It started with accepting my family business was failing and no longer the place for me; starting my own online amusement equipment brokering business; and addressing health issues including being treated for sleep apnea and later having successful gastric surgery. thanks for this good reminder of how we should be living, working, and playing. keep up the great posts, max
What a great story of success! I’m sure there were many challenging conversations and situations.
thanks Michael; there have been many challenges and i find the more i overcome the more that come along. except now i see them as opportunities and means to future growth. i get a lot of pleasure out of sharing my story and using it to inspire and motivate others. thanks again max
Max, stepping out like you did took courage…I completely understand the family business dynamics. I am so glad you can look back and know it was the right move! Thanks for sharing!
thanks chris; I stayed on a few years after I should have left on my own. i used to blame my cousin for making it impossible for me to stay on the midway but now I think hey he did me a favor. He forced me out of somewhere I really didn’t want to be any more. and since then I have found two businesses that I created mostly on my own and that I have great passion for. I am physically mentally and emotionally healthy. I get up every day thinking what the next crazy dream or goal will be. I get the pleasure of seeing other people take action in their lives because of my inspirational posts or my direct coaching with them. and I can definitely see bigger things in my future. I just recorded my first video to show people what to expect from me as a speaker and am actively working to get bookings. thanks again and take care, max https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBpCaUzwsB8