Return To Article Index

A few years ago a very unhappy young doctor burst into tears in an emergency department. She had been working 60-80 hour weeks in a highly stressful environment and was totally confused. She wanted to help people didn't she? But there had to be more to life than this constant stream of dissatisfied patients, paperwork and heartache. She dreamed about financial independence. She felt about as passionate as a frypan.

She made a decision that would change her life... the power of one decision. She decided to take control of her life and follow her passion. It seemed crazy at the time, but she left the medical profession and went to drama school... a lifelong dream of hers. At that point she thought she was destined to a life as “a starving artist”. But that little shred of faith, and splash of adventure started an avalanche of change which resulted in her finding her purpose and direction. Within two years she was happily, successfully and profitably running a small company helping others to turn their dreams into reality.

I know that story pretty well, because that person is me. Since that day I’ve realised there are millions of other people in exactly the same situation… but who are too scared of making mistakes that they unhappily stay in jobs they hate, drifting and despondent, reacting, not living.

I am somewhat amused at people who work themselves to the ground more than 50 hours a week in a job that they hate and then expect to be productive and efficient and create financial freedom. Most of the planet spends 75% of their waking adult life working. Why not choose to do something that you’re passionate about? Why not take time to feel the sand under your feet and shift gears to another level of creativity and satisfaction in your life?

If you would, take a moment to ask yourself this:

• How many hours a week do you spend at work?

• And how many of the hours you are not at work are you thinking about work?

• And how many of the hours that you are “trying” not to think about work are you feeling guilty because you are “trying” to relax?!!

SO DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU’RE DOING? Unfortunately, for many the answer is “NO, but it pays the bills”… that part is easy. In my experience the challenge often comes when I ask “so what would you love to do instead?”… And I am usually met by blank stares and shrugs.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed; stressed out by the sheer enormity of the task of finding the perfect professional path which will provide an income lucrative enough to support your lifestyle rather than destroy it; if you have ever wondered for a moment what it would be like to live your professional life with passion, then read on; this was written for you.

You see, I have an outrageous belief that it is possible for us all to do what we love and get paid magnificently for it. We spend such a large proportion of our adult life working, or thinking about work. It makes NO SENSE to me doing something that doesn’t thrill you! (By the way, I don’t know if that belief is true, but my results have certainly changed since I decided to believe it is true.) Certainly it is possible. It is true that there are countless people out there following their passion and profiting from it! Why not you?

Napoleon Hill, famed author of “Think and Grow Rich” (notice he didn’t call it “Work your bum off in a job you hate and Grow Rich”), studied 500 of the most successful people over a 20 year period. What he discovered was there were 16 characteristics common to them all, and the top 4 they shared are a burning desire to succeed, an unshakeable faith, specialised knowledge and IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY AND PASSION.

Hill said “If the thing you wish to do is right, and you believe in it, go ahead and do it! Put your dream across, and never mind what ‘they’ say!”

As you look at this list, ask yourself:

• How serious are you about succeeding?

• Do you have faith in yourself?

• What special knowledge do you have, or can you learn?

• And most importantly when was the last time you engaged your IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY AND PASSION?

About the Author
Dr Joanna Martin explored life as a medical practitioner and actor before launching her career as an NLP Trainer and CEO of Shift Enterprises. She now assists young professionals and companies to make bold choices and create great success from the power of their own passion and creativity. For more information email info@shiftenterprises.com.au

Top