Skip to main content

Protecting Your Passion

Passion is so powerful.  It fuels late nights, early mornings, and the courage to keep moving forward, especially when the road gets rough -- and it will get rough.  Passion is fragile and must be protected.  If we do not protect it, life's demands, stress, and negativity can smother it until it feels like a distant memory.

Why Passion Needs Protection:

  • Life is noisy: With endless responsibilities, our passion can get drowned out by urgency and noise.
  • Criticism is inevitable: When you follow your calling, your gift, not everyone will understand it. Some will even try to discourage it.
  • Exhaustion is real:  Passion does not mean you can run on empty.  Burnout can rob you of joy and clarity.  Reset and refuel. 
How to Protect Your Passion:

1.    Set healthy boundaries - Every yes costs something (your time, your energy, your peace of mind). Protect your passion by learning when to say no. Sometimes it is hard to say no but you have to be intentional because your energy is your most valuable resource.  

2.    Nurture your mental health - Passion thrives when your mind and heart are well.  Make space for rest, nutrition, exercise, connecting with mind-like individuals, or practices that strengthen your mental wellness.

3.    Stay connect to your "why" - Write down why your passion matters to you and revisit it often.  There will be seasons of doubt, and your why will remind you of your worth.

4.    Chose your circle wisely - This is so important!  Protecting your passion means surrounding yourself with people who believe in you.  But it also requires discernment: if someone only drains your energy or pretends to support you, it is time to release them from your circle.  Not everyone deserves access to your fire.

5.    Celebrate the small wins - Give yourself grace.  Passion is not just about the big breakthroughs. Protect your passion by honoring the progress, even the small steps.

Final Word -- Protecting your passion is not selfish, it is necessary.  When you honor the fire within you, it becomes a source of light for others. Do not let challenges steal what was placed inside of you.  Protect your passion, and you will discover strength you did not know you had.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE ONES WHO BELIEVED

Every journey has voices that kept you standing when your knees were shaking.  For me, it began at home.  My parents were my first believers, the ones who prayed louder than the doubt, who taught strength through sacrifice, and love through action.  They never questioned my dreams.  There was another person in my life who believed in me.  The year was 1974, and I was a junior in high school.  I excelled in the Business Program, typing 100 words per minute and mastering Gregg Shorthand at 120 words per minute.  My dream was to become an executive secretary to a CEO.  But my business teacher, Mrs. Dinkins, saw something more in me.   She noticed the girl who always raised her hand first, volunteered to work in the front office at school, served as a homeroom assistant on the attendance committee, and leaned into every opportunity to learn and lead.   Mrs. Dinkins got me my first part-time job after school at Schering-Plough Corpo...

THE MOUNTAIN IS REAL

  There is no denying it, the mountain is real.   The Weight of Leadership in Uncertain Times In today's nonprofit and family-serving world, leaders are facing an uphill climb like never before.  Budget cuts at every level, workforce shortages, and community needs are rising faster than resources.  It's enough to test even the strongest among us. But waiting for the perfect plan or everyone's approval can weaken your impact.  When you lead with conviction instead of consensus, you show others what courage looks like.  Your steadiness becomes their strength. For Leaders and Organizations Protect the mission - it's non-negotiable. When resources shrink, distractions multiply.  That's when protecting what matters most becomes the real work.  Whether you're leading a program, guiding a team, or supporting your family, stay anchored in your "why". Assess your vulnerabilities.   Strengthen your partnerships. Embrace tools that make your m...

MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK: REWRITING THE PLAYBOOK

We have all done it, replayed the meeting, the moment, the mistake.  That's what they call being a Monday morning quarterback. But in life, we don't need more critics.  We need coaches, starting with ourselves. Reflection Without Regret Putting your mind on rewind isn't bad.  Staying stuck there is.  Don't use reflection to punish yourself.  Use it to prepare yourself. Ask: What did I learn about myself? What will I do differently next time? What went right that I may have missed? Growth doesn't require a total rewrite, just a few intentional edits. Rewriting the Playbook Every misstep gives us insight.  Every setback builds strength.  Leaders don't wait for permission to adjust.  They learn, they adapt, and they move forward. You don't need approval to try again.  You are the approval. The Next Play Courage isn't perfection.  It's showing up again after the loss: wiser, calmer, and still believing in yourself. So, skip the self-critique...