What is Passion?

Passions are strong emotions that motivate us.

These emotions are deep, authentic, and powerful. These emotions are what drive us to achieve, to excel. Think of anyone who has achieved some measure of greatness and you will find great passion.

Mastery is high achievement. And it flows when passions are pursued with discipline over time.

As long as we hold our passions, we invest time, energy, and resources in the progression and pursuit of goals. If we hold our passions long enough, we give ourselves the opportunity for mastery. Malcolm Gladwell writes about the 10,000 hour rule, a shorthand expression for the 10 years of devoted practice typically required for true mastery. He says, "what we call talent is mostly a desire to persist".

Passion is the door to mastery. Passion is the prerequisite for talent.

I've now written about why passion wins, how passion wins, and what passion is. That leaves the biggest questions ahead. Where do passions come from? How long do passions stay? These topics become more intangible, more philosophic, and more spiritual-- but I may make an attempt down the road.