It is not hard to tell if you are around me any time at all that this week I have directed my blog toward a subject that is very near and dear to my heart:  How to make people and business people successful.  I have listed several characteristics that I believe must be present to be successful both personally and professionally.

My entire time today I want to highlight one of my favorite characteristics, which is Passion.  Passion is zeal, intense desire, and fire in your heart about something.  I have often been amazed by people who seem to be ordinary in every way and yet who accomplish great things in life.  The answer:  Passion.

Vince Lombardi said it this way, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of the will.”  The person who has the will to succeed is only as good as his or her passion.

What can Passion do?

1. Passion creates passion.  Remember, Passion is like a thermostat in the room.  It sets the climate for your personal life as well as your business.
2. Passion enlarges vision.  When you communicate a vision about something, that entire vision can be taken to another level if you communicate with passion.
3. Passion attracts others.  Passion is contagious.
4. Passion maintains focus.  Passion keeps the entire organization, its goals, its dreams, and its mission in strategic focus.  Winston Churchill said this, “A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”
   
5. Passion makes the impossible possible.

When Passion is absent:

1. Direction is lost.
2. Vision dies.
3. Mediocrity occurs.
4. People stray.
5. Emotion diminishes.

What are you passionate about?  What do you allow in your life that diminishes your passion?  Let me close today by quoting the words of Lech Walesa, “There’s a fire burning inside all of us.”  I personally believe this with all my heart.  Now, go find out what is burning in your heart and do it.