Recently, I posted an entry about the great motivators of change, passion and pain. Though painful circumstances certainly push us to make changes, life is more effective, and enjoyable, when our passions pull us to them. What do you do once you know what you are passionate about? (if you don’t check out the previously mentioned blog post for some ideas) How do you turn that ‘thing that makes your heart beat fast’ into movement and action?
When I made the move into coaching, I took some measured steps to make sure coaching was REALLY my passion (which it is) and then the next steps to put make that passion my career. I didn’t really know it at the time, but I followed the steps listed here:
How to Put Your Passion into Action:
1. Pray and plan – This is the first and greatest step that you can take in any endeavor. The process of talking, and listening to God about putting your passions to work will bring more impact than any other thing in the process. When my wife, and later my own life coach suggested I consider a career shift into coaching, my first response was, ‘no way’. It was through a short, but intense, season of prayer that God showed me coaching was a perfect fit for what I love doing, what I care about and what I am best at. There then was taking that God confirmed passion, and putting a plan around it. The next three items were vital in creation of that plan.
2. Get information – Talk to the people who know about your area of interest. Read books and blogs about your passion. The first thing that I did when I considered the shift into coaching was to talk to a VERY well respected coach. One of the real innovators in the world of life coaching to ask him what he thought the best way to make this career shift. He gave me a some great encouragement that I was on the right track, and the equipping I’d need to make my passion a reality.
3. Find allies – These are people who quite simply are on your side. For me it was a collection of friends, colleagues, experienced business people, and referral sources who helped me ‘launch the rocket’. People who equipped me to promote my coaching business, allowed me to ‘practice’ my skills, bounce ideas off of and send clients my way. These relationships, cultivated on-line and in the ‘real world’ were part of the answer to my prayers.
4. Face the difficulties – Putting your passion to work will not just magically fall into place. It might appear to those who are watching you on the margins that it’s effortless, but in reality, if you skillfully chasing your passions, you’re going to look a bit like a duck on the water. Everyone around you will see you moving effortlessly across the water toward your goal. In reality, beneath the surface, your legs and churning and your paddling with all your being. Working hard, honestly confronting obstacles, working hard some more, admitting mistakes and daring to make new ones will allow you to overcome the difficulties that are inevitable in making your passions a reality.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the power of coaching to help you accomplish your passions and dreams. As a coach, I am trained to help people discover their passions, implement a plan of action and keep the vision alive to see that plan come to fruition. My own journey would have been derailed many times over without the powerful questions that my coach asked me along the way. If you are thinking of making a change in response to your passions, I’d HIGHLY recommend you connect with a coach.
I am a life and leadership coach, a parent, a husband and follower of God...in inverse order. I love baseball, movies and cooking too!
