Passion is the driving force that has you doing things without any thought to whether or not you will fail. It’s the force that compels and inspires you to go after your dream, to commit and follow through to taking action and making changes. It’s what causes photographers to stand on a rocky ledge to get that perfect shot, actors to go from audition to audition in search of a role, writer’s to withstand countless rejections and keep on writing.
My first two “assignments” from the preliminary work prior to The Passion Test and in Your Heart’s Desire start out by asking basically the same question: Think about all the areas of your life and list the top ten passions or priorities. Each asks you to write it down with slightly different phrasing, but essentially the exercise is identical. And…very similar to coaching homework assignments I use with my clients. Essentially, tap into the major focus areas of your life and state the most important element that would make that area perfect. Those focus areas, or environments include (with slight variations– not all of these are included in each program or coaching homework):
Financial
Relationships (family, friends, peers, close colleagues)
Your surroundings (home, car, nature)
Your body, health and physical appearance
Your Self (skills, strengths, talents, character, the “essence” of you)
Your Spirit (connection to the universe, spiritual practices, faith)
Your Memetic environment (ideas, learning, beliefs, what you read and watch)
Networks (Professional Connections, Community, Social Networks)
Fun
Career
Education
Creativity
Travel and adventure
Possessions
Most pundits say (and I agree) that the first step to change is embracing exactly where you are today. So start with where you are and then (in the areas you choose from above) decide which of the areas are your top priority to change? What are you finances? What shape are you in? What do you like about your self? What puts a smile on your face? Where does your creativity show up?
Next, for each of the areas you are choosing to work on, write down what you want to change…in other words: how you intend for it to be. Take relationships as an example. It may be that you already have a great relationship. Still…what might it look like if you kicked it up a notch? Or perhaps you don’t have one, or have one that could improve.
Sonia says to write three powerful and very clear intentions. The Passion Test asks me to list ten items, beginning with the phrase “When my life is ideal…” and to phrase them in the present tense.
I recognize that for many, that may be easier said than done. What I know to be true (thank you Oprah) is that while many people can easily whip off a list of clear desires or intentions, there are an equal amount of folks who haven’t got a clue. Many of the clueless (no judgment intended here) know very clearly what they DON’T WANT, and that’s a great starting place too. But there are a large number of people who are totally blocked from telling themselves the truth about their life. For those folks, I offer the following questions to begin tapping in to what you want for your life:
What brings you great joy? What are you doing in those moments when you feel happiest or your heart swells to overflowing? When are you at your most creative? What are you doing when ideas flow effortlessly and time just zips by? Is there a particular topic you like to read about? Talk about? Watch movies about? Internet surf to learn more about? Do you have a hobby you are passionate about?
I write my intentions/goals for the year annually. I’m going to update mine, and I’ll share them with you when I do.
Anthony Robbins says “Passion is the genesis of genius.” Isn’t it time to find yours?
