Lifestyle

Profit From Passion: Increase Your Net-Worth By Doing What You Love

by Lewis Howes

Have you ever heard the saying,

“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life?”

It’s a secret that people who are passionate about their work have come to understand.

Many struggle to know what it is they are truly passionate about, let alone how to make an income doing it. 

Unfortunately, passion isn’t something we traditionally see in the everyday office workplace. Individuality is discouraged in most corporate environments. People who are especially “eccentric” tend to wither in that world and eventually fade out.

But, what if "eccentric" is just another way to say “being yourself?" We all have little eccentricities somewhere and we exude the most fun and passion when we let our freak flags fly.

Within eccentricity often lies innovation, vision and creativity, all things that are incredibly valuable.

At some point in elementary school, it became "uncool” to show too much excitement. The kids who maintained their exuberance beyond the age of 8 or so tended to be ostracized and shunned.

At such an early age, we internalize that our passion needs to be watered down so we can fit in.

In today’s ever-changing job market, it is actually imperative that you stand out, not fit in. This is why your passion must be reignited — so you can be outstanding.

Here is where the work begins. First, let’s address how you can relocate your passion if you have lost it:

1. Remember what you used to LOVE.

As we grow up, we tend to forget what we lost ourselves in as kids. What were the things that lit you up, things you could spend hours immersed in? For me, one of those things was basketball.

Maybe you loved climbing trees, making up songs or playing video games with your friends. Maybe it was art or music or writing stories in your bedroom.

Try to remember what it was that made you happiest. If childhood doesn’t offer any answers, try digging into the most recent memory of your happiest moments. Name that thing you love.

2. Do what you love consistently.

This is important, especially if it has been a long time. You owe it to yourself and to the world to bring your passion back to your life. Start with one day a week.

Maybe take a dance class or get back to the gym for a pickup game. See how it feels, and see how you shift. Take that passion with you into the next day and see how you can bring it into the world by sharing the good with others.

3. Don’t wait for it, create it.

Passion comes from within; that’s why it can be so elusive. We start waiting for the world to bring passion to us, rather than cultivating it ourselves. As Kurt Cobain so perfectly described, “Here we are now, entertain us.”

We are passive, waiting to be entertained. We seem to have forgotten that we are the ones who are in charge of hosting the parties and creating experiences in our lives.

Unless you bring something to the table, who would want to invite you to theirs? So, by doing what you are passionate about consistently, you will remember how to exercise your passion muscles.

4. Get outside the comfort zone.

Maybe you don’t have the ability to do the things you once loved due to injury or other limitations. This doesn’t mean you should up on passion, it means you can start exploring.

You really never know what activities or pursuits may captivate you once you engage in them.

Ultimately, it is up to you to generate the passion that will inspire others and the world. When you master that, you will see your self-worth increase, and therefore your net worth, too.