Comments on: The Downside of Passion

By: Josh Tam

Josh Tam — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:02:00 +0000

Agree 100%. Only focus on passion if it can be a source of income/funding to sustain life, OR do something else for funding and pursue passion only when you have a surplus of resources. Or else… (1st hand experience)

By: Elliot Kim

Elliot Kim — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 16:59:00 +0000

In short, I understand the point to mean that it isn’t too difficult for passionate people to be delusional. I consider myself a passionate person, and I do testify to that correlation. The question is, how can I complement outside counsel with something I can do by myself that will help me see reality more clearly?

By: marissa mullins

marissa mullins — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:17:00 +0000

I agree with yhis and found it wonderfully true AND objective!

“Passion creates a “refuse to lose” mentality which can enable the average person to move outside comfort zones, take-on greater risk, go the extra mile, and achieve phenomenal results. However it’s important to note the same trait which can propel you to the top can also send you over the edge of a cliff. Passion is not aptitude, nor is it omnipotence, neither is it totally unique. These are nuances lost on many…
This is where things begin to get a little tricky – passion without perspective and/or reason can actually serve to distort one’s perception of reality.”

I see this often in my day-job (Sales Manager in the Automotive Industry) and generally in those around me.

Thanks for an insightful piece!

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:02:00 +0000

Well written…touched a few tender spots regarding my own all consumimng relationship with my restuarant. One thing that maybe I missed but I bring to this discussion is that passion is a lonely emotion. Understandably, most don’t or cannot share your passion. It is, after all an all consuming personal experience as its your nuts on the line. I have often made what seems to others as completely inrrational changes to the direction of my business…all, so far, have paid off handsomely. The point being that no one “Got it.” I believe, as mentioned in a previous comment, that passion actually puts the trees in plain sight while the “Passionless” try to find their way through the forrest.

By: Mike Myatt

Mike Myatt — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:43:00 +0000

In reply to Alan Hhaveson. Passion as an enabler - a great catch, and perhaps one that deserves its own post. Thanks for stopping by Alan.

By: Mike Myatt

Mike Myatt — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:42:00 +0000

In reply to Alan Humphries. Sound insights Alan - Thanks for sharing.

By: When too much passion can be bad

When too much passion can be bad — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:13:42 +0000

[…] Read the original blog: https://www.n2growth.com/when-passion-impedes-purpose/trackback/ […]

By: Alan Humphries

Alan Humphries — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:54:00 +0000

Mike,

A very timely article that rings true in all of us that espouse passion in what we do. To me it was a reminder to not let my passion overide appropriate input from others and to stand grounded in my emotional commitment.

By: Alan Hhaveson

Alan Hhaveson — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:19:00 +0000

very good insight….however you left out….many with “the passion” can easily become “enablers” to those around them…in one of the
comments someone indicated something about the challenge to lead is a slippery slope…it definitely is…however for those of us with passion….it is far better to have the passion than meet the
challenge of the day on a downer! alan haveson

By: Bob Baulch

Bob Baulch — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:22:00 +0000

Mike Myatt in his blog, The Downside of Passion gets it right by saying too much passion can be misdirected. The disconnect I believe between passion and success is with people. Organizations are made up of people and if passion for success is too strong it tends to negate the need for people in the equation and that is where I belive things go off the rail.
All leadership comes down to getting the people in any organization on board and bringing them to a desired outcome willingly.

Bob Baulch
http://www.smallcoachbob.com