Life’s hard! I think we can all attest to that fact. But it’s not always the hard times that make it such a struggle. It’s often the inconsistency of the good times that bring on frustration. We call it ‘hills and valleys’ and it’s what many of us base our emotions on and often our success in everything we do. But just like a Stallion can be broken, so too can our wild emotions. I believe we can learn to have more control over the way we react to life and maintain a steady passion for it. So here are some of things that I do to maintain this passion, even in the face of the most dreary times.
1-Live a healthy life.
I know this is stating the obvious and has been mentioned many times before but it can’t be left out of a list like this. The kind of passion I am referring to is fueled by a healthy lifestyle.
2-Know yourself.
One of the things that is crucial to maintaining passion throughout your life is knowing yourself. The more you know about your personality, likes/dislikes, strengths/weaknesses, etc… the better off you will be. Know what tempts you and you will have a better chance of enduring temptation. Know what truly drives you and you will most certainly stay driven.
3-Always do what you believe is right.
One of the things that can really trip you up in life is falling prey to temptation. We may cross the line or venture into shady territory for a chance to get ahead. But the kind of positive passion that I am talking about is fueled by purity of heart. If you don’t feel that what you’re doing is something to be proud of, then it will only be a matter of time before you lose your desire to push ahead.
4-Keep a routine that helps you pursue your goals.
The more you get to know yourself the more you know the kind of routine that you thrive off of. Figure out the daily tasks, events and rituals that help you stay on task and stay motivated. For me, going for an afternoon run helps me sleep better which helps me have more energy which helps me get more done which…you get the point.
5-Learn from your mistakes, don’t dwell on them.
I remember a lot of the big mistakes I’ve made so far in my life (notice I said ‘so far’), but it’s those mistakes that have helped me make some of the better decisions of recent years. This is because I’ve chosen to see these mistakes as a guide on what NOT to do. Not a reason to feel bad. Learn from your history’s mistakes and you won’t repeat them.
6-Always have a healthy escape ready at a moments notice.
I absolutely love to go the our local radio control airfield (an old airfield that is now used by an RC club to fly radio controlled airplanes). Not just to fly my planes but to just relax and enjoy the scenery. Its a little ways in the country, away from the roads and the sounds of the city. A river runs through the lower field and the sky always seems a little bluer and the air a little fresher when I’m there. This is one of my main ‘healthy escapes’. Every once in a while, when life seems too much to handle, I’ll go here and just lay on a bench and look up at the clouds. The buzzards, hawks and sometimes a pair of Bald Eagles, like to soar through these clouds. I just dream that I’m one of these birds flying higher and higher. This is a place where I ALWAYS come away more relaxed and content than before I came.
So it is essential that you find your own brand of ‘healthy escapes’ and always keep them near by. Because when the walls start to feel like they’re closing in, you’ll be glad you have a healthy haven to run to.
7-Encourage others.
One of the great things about encouraging another human being is that you are almost always encouraged in the process. When you are telling someone else to never give up, to keep pushing forward, there’s a part of you that is saying the same thing to yourself. An example in my life is this blog. The more I write about making the most of your days, the stronger my own determination becomes. I want to see you succeed and that makes ME want to succeed.
8-Always listen but don’t always believe.
It’s very easy to disregard what people say. But in doing so we can miss out on some great advise. There are also a lot of negative ideas going on all the time that are just waiting to sabotage your passion and desire to succeed. So learn to distinguish between the constructive advice the destructive nonsense that often times spews from other peoples mouths.
9-Stay involved, ESPECIALLY when you don’t feel like it.
Having interaction with others and involvement in activities outside your bubble is always a great thing. But when you are struggling to keep that bounce in your step, this involvement is even more important. Having other people and activities to get you out of your head is a great way to help you clear you mind. And it is a clear mind that is essential to helping you get through those hard times and back on track with your daily pursuits.
10-Know when to throttle back.
Sometimes I just start to feel burnt out. I know when this occurs because everything I think about seems pointless or too hard. Trying to push through this is a challenge that may help you grow stronger, but sometimes it’s just better to back off a little and give yourself a break. There’s a difference between pulling yourself out of a slump and pushing yourself too hard. Know the difference and adjust accordingly. But when you start to reach your breaking point, slow down, give yourself the rest you need and you’ll be back on track in no time.
Hi Eric
Encouraging others is a fantastic way to keep the passion strong. Sometimes I have to remind myself that giving in all forms comes back in many ways and enriches everyone. It feels silly that I have to remind myself of this – I see it work all the time.
I always thought it looked like a lot of fun to fly those planes!
Like you, my healthy escape is outdoors. Except mine is on a motorcycle. Cares and worries drop away with every mile.
This is just the reminder list we need to read once in a while. Thanks.
P.S. There’s a post on my blog related to your first point, “52 Ideas for a Healthier You.” Staying healthy is such a key component for a vibrant, passionate life.
kathy’s last blog post..A Mother’s Heart
Dude, that’s a really good list. It starts out with three perfect suggestions and just keeps going. Knowing yourself and doing what you believe are absolutely paramount to not only getting where you want to go, but being happy once you get there.
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Writing Without a Niche
“Keep a routine that helps you pursue your goals” — this is so true because it sets up an attitude for success. I’m working on setting up a routine or mindset of taking baby steps instead freaking out about the big picture and everything that needs to be done.
SpaceAgeSage — Lori’s last blog post..Seven things I learned about blogging
This is my favorite -
9-Stay involved, ESPECIALLY when you don’t feel like it.
It’s true, keeping a schedule and staying involved with other activities helps get me out of any funk I’m in and gets my mind off the issues I’m currently working on – when I get back to it, I can look at it with a fresh perspective.
Sid Savara’s last blog post..The Most Popular Articles on SidSavara.com
@Kathy: Encouragement is definitely one of my favorites!
@Sean: “Knowing yourself and doing what you believe are absolutely paramount to not only getting where you want to go, but being happy once you get there.”
Once again, very well said.
@Lori: I like how you group baby steps and routine. It really IS that combination that allows for consistent positive growth.
@Sid: I’m the same way. A lot of times it’s those activities that I just don’t want to do, that help me do a better job with those activities that I DO enjoy. Eric.
Hey Eric,
In regards to point number 5, I believe that mistakes are there to help us learn and there are valuable lessons that we can pick up in our mistakes.
We should always look at our mistakes in a positive way instead of a negative way. The wrong thing to do whenever we make a mistake is to beat ourselves up and not moving on from it.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Vincent’s last blog post..Best Of Hit Your Goals at 2008
With regards to living a healthy life, I don’t think you’re stating the obvious at all. In my experience, eating healthy and exercising is the most important factor in how I deal with negative thoughts.
Eating healthy keeps the energy levels steady, which really helps with keeping off slumps, and exercise releases all of those nice hormones that kicks stress in the butt. Since I took control of my health-related habits, the only real slumps (rather than momentary lapses) I’ve gone through have been when I’m both ill and very busy at the same time (= less energy for maintaining proper eating habits and no exercise).
Emma’s last blog post..Weightlifting inspiration
Hi Eric
I like your list.
I also think gratitude is important.
Cheers
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet’s last blog post..Are You Using Your Personal Development Knowledge?
@Vincent: Learning from your mistakes is certainly a HUGE necessity when it comes to living a healthy, productive life.
@Emma: I guess that’s true. If it was so obvious, everyone would do it. Or maybe more accurately, if it was so EASY… Great point!
@Juliet: Thanks, Juliet. Gratitude is a worthy addition. Eric.
Eric,
I enjoyed it this post very much. As usual, you have great suggestions.
I almost missed it, however, because it came into my email as a “deadly spam…blocked because of content!” The only thing I can think of that would have caused this is your title, which cracks me up. I must have a very prudish spam checker!!!
Sara’s last blog post..Happy New Year: clean your life closet!
@Sara: That’s hilarious! Now that you point it out, I can see how a ‘sensitive’ spam filter might get the wrong idea.
Eric.
Consistency and persistency leads to emotional stability. The more consistent one becomes with their efforts, the less likely the more stable one becomes. Over time the ups and downs dampen out and have less and less of an impact.
PizzaForADream.com’s last blog post..Please Tip Your Pizza Delivery Driver, They’re Unsung HEROES of the Pizza Industry
@PizzaForADream.com: Well said! Eric