Passion vs. Apathy

By: Cindy Paschall
We read in our workshop critiques that many of you have the goal “be more passionate about life, work and lead with passion.” Definition of passion: “extreme, compelling emotion; intense emotional drive or excitement. Enthusiasm.” How did you become less passionate about work or your life in general? How can you increase your passion? As a child you were probably excited about getting up in the morning and facing the new day, and you were even passionate about the spider crawling on the web outside your window. Why do people lose their passion? I think we let the nay-sayers in our lives get us down. Things become monotonous, and we get bored.

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

–Samuel Ullman (from “Youth”)

businessman and poet (1840 – 1924)

I believe enthusiasm is contagious, and conversely, so is apathy. You can choose to be a bright light or a dull ache in the lives of others around you. As a leader, you make choices everyday that set the tone for each of your interactions. Be passionate in your daily lives. “Good morning” can be said in so many different ways. How do you say “Good morning” when you walk into the office?

When you are in your quarterly meeting and discussing the expenses, be passionate about the numbers; make them interesting and important to those that are listening to you. If you put feeling into what you say, people will listen. How often do you think, “no one is listening to me”? They may be not listening because you are not enthusiastic about what you are saying!

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

writer and philosopher (1803 — 1882)

One great manager and coach had this to say to his team:

If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.

–Vince Lombardi

U.S. football coach (1913 – 1970)

This may be a little extreme for the average work place, but he knew that if his team was not enthusiastic every time they stepped out on that field, they did not need to be there.

I admit to times of apathy when I have to mentally slap myself and say “snap out of it…FOCUS!” For me, there is a direct BALANCE between energy and passion. The more physically fit I am, the more energy I have, and that shows in my daily life and in my work.

Sooooo, how are you going to increase your enthusiasm today? GO OUT THERE AND “LIGHT YOUR HAIR ON FIRE*!”

*We, the lawyers of 9g Enterprises, want every reader to know that the last statement is strictly metaphorical. No one here at 9g wants you to strike a match and literally set your hair, or any other body parts, on fire. Please be careful around all open flames or other sources of ignition. Good day.