The other day when I was on Donny Deutsch, I made the statement, “Passion is a load of crap.” The poor guy grew pale under his stage make-up and his heart pounded hard while he gasped for air. To say the least, he disagreed. My point to him was that passion is little more than a starting place but true long term success is based on excellence and hard work. Again, he disagreed. That’s fine. He has the right to be wrong. And he clearly is.
I know many passionate people. They are passionately stupid, passionately wrong and passionately incompetent. Passion and success have about as much to do with each other as gravy and Raisin Bran. But this is the trash being dumped on us by the ill-informed motivational idiots who know little about true success but are quick to tell you how to achieve it. No business ever makes it based on passion. No successful business person every made it to the top based on passion.
Back to my earlier point: Excellence is what moves you to the top. And hard work doing the right things is what makes you excellent. To tell people that passion is the key to success does those folks a great disservice. Because somewhere down the road, they will discover that no one cares or shares their passion. They will find out that while they are passionate, they haven’t done the work to be really good, they know nothing about selling or marketing, leadership, management, finance, their competition, serving customers or all the other facets of a successful life or business. All they have is their passion. Try cashing that at the bank.
A guy after a speech I gave a couple of weeks ago caught me in the bar (another reminder to RUN to my room after a speech!) and told me how lucky I was to have found my passion in life through my speaking. I told him I was NOT passionate about my speaking. I have a good time doing it. I enjoy doing it. I am really good at it. But it is not my passion. It is my job. Period. It pays well. Really well. And if it didn’t pay really well, I would find something else to enjoy and I would figure out another line of work to be great at that would pay me well. The guy just stood with his mouth open looking at me.
I told him my passion was sitting on my patio watching the sun go down over the horizon, with a glass of Johnny Walker Blue next to me, a great cigar in my hand, my big ol’ sweet bulldog, Ralph on my lap slobbering on me, my wife sitting next to me having a great conversation and a little Merle Haggard playing in the background all while I am enjoying the smell of a great big bone-in big eye grilling a few feet away from me. I can get passionate about that. Standing on a stage thousands of miles away from home and going back to a crappy hotel room only to eat one more room service cobb salad is nothing that creates any passion in me. It’s my job. I’m good at it. I like it. It pays well. My being good at it is why people hire me. If I was only passionate and not amazing at it, no one would ever hire me.
Passion qualifies me to stand on the street corner and preach my message, but it doesn’t allow me to make a living. Excellence gets me paid. And twenty years of hard work, study and practice made me excellent. The same applies to you. Set your passion aside and get really good at what you do. Got it? Forget what you are hearing about passion and just go to work.
Larry, I luv ya man but I have a bone to pick with you. If you are going to pop off how amazing and excellent you are at what you do, I would suggest you spell Raisin correctly!!! Raison Bran???? Someone who is excellent and amazing would have caught that. I do believe passion leads to excellence but passion alone is not enough. You must have a passion to become excellent at whatever your passion is!! I really do enjoy all your stuff and you have made me think in a whole new way.Thank you for that. I just wanted to bust your chops and give you a hard time. Big fan-Brian
Larry, I want to thank you for your book! I am a huge fan now after reading It’s Called Work for a Reason”. Thank you for making me feel better about doing a job well and being successful, even if I don’t have a passion for it. I kept thinking that maybe I should be doing something else because my job didn’t inspire passion. When my company was bought out I had a chance to do something else and wondered what my passion was – I still have no idea, other than my husband. I chose to stay in my field (sales) but selling a different product. Now, after reading your book, instead of seeking passion in the workplace, I’ve been given new ideas for making myself even better at something I already do pretty well. Thank you!!! I hope I get a chance to hear you speak live some time soon.
Brian…….looks like I spelled it correctly to me. Maybe your computer translated it incorrectly. Bad spelling bothers me and I do my best to make sure all words are spelled correctly. Punctuation escapes me sometimes but I am a good speller. I do type fast and am not good at proof-reading though. Regardless, if there has been a mistake – I’m sorry. Now get the hell over it! Ha!
Shelby………thanks for your feedback. I love that book! All the best to you!
Larry
Larry, Thanks for responding to my comment and being a good sport. I love your Thoughts and Observations CD, Shut Up Book, It’s Called Work Book, Crap- I love all your stuff!!!. If I ever meet you, the Johnnie Walker is on me. Question? Have you seen the 3:10 to Yuma movie and what did you think?Well, time to go have a drink and listen to a little George Thorogood-Your biggest fan-Brian
Thank you. I’ve been saying this for years. Now that you’ve said it, too, maybe more managers will figure this out. Once, a company I worked for told me that I had to have complete passion for what I was doing, or I wouldn’t continue to work there. They even forbid me to have passion for something else. Huh? What?
I quit that job and now work for a company that hired folks who can do their jobs well and thinks passion is good if it helps you get the job done, but it isn’t required. Shockingly enough, I’m doing quite well here.
Larry:
Even though I’m not broke, I just love your book and have recommended it to others. You know what? What you have here is a meta-principle that can be applied across the board. “You’re fat because you want to be;” “You get in destructive relationships because you want to;” and on and on.
Anyway, I’ve blogged about you a couple of times, now.
http://www.honestylog.com/root/2008/01/larry-winget.html
And again today:
http://www.honestylog.com/root/2008/02/passion-vs-exce.html
This last really hit home. I was passionate about being a Navy Officer for eight years. It was solid adventure, and though I was good at it, I couldn’t make any real money. So, since ’92 I’ve been running a company (20-30 employees, depending on season), it pays me and family very well, but I’ve never particularly cared for it. I’m just good at it.
Well, thanks for your efforts. I’ll keep reading and steering my readers your way from time to time.
Larry, Thanks for responding to my comment and being a good sport. I love your Thoughts and Observations CD, Shut Up Book, It’s Called Work Book, Crap- I love all your stuff!!!. If I ever meet you, the Johnny Walker is on me. Question? Have you seen the 3:10 to Yuma movie and what did you think?Well, time to go have a drink and listen to a little George Thorogood-Your biggest fan-Brian
While I am a big fan of the Big Idea show, I was watching the night your segment first aired while setting in a plush room at Casears Palace and I was cheering you on. I knew immediately when you said that “Passion is a load of Crap” that ole Donnie about did a load of crap in his pants. I’ve done some real estate development over ther years and utilized the services of a very smart private investor, I once was turned down for a loan and was upset because it was on the heels of a very successful venture with him. When I ask why he replied “Because you were too passionate about the project and when people are that passionate they overlook important obvious factors, they are too much in love with the deal.” Being an auctioneer for one of the countries largest real estate auction companies we sell out properties all the time for people who were once very passionate about what they developed or built only to find out the potential buyers didn’t share that passion.
Larry your books should be required reading for all high school students as it would well prepare them for life.
Jim Owen
Larry,
One of my biggest complaints in the business world is that things that sound good get a lot of play but all they do is make you temporarily feeeeeeel good..they don’t accomplish the overall goal. We are told feelings are important, and well, they just aren’t…business-wise. Ever since I read your book and got the point that your employer didn’t hire you to like your job, just to do your job…well, I’ve been approaching my work differently…and I’m happier (but no one but me cares!) AND more productive. Your passion point is right on. Your honesty hurts at first, but it has made a difference in how I work. My employer would thank you if he only knew.
Dead on! As some motivation books have suggested, I have spent years working on developing my “passion” in order to find the motivational tools to create the “perfect” occupation. Do what you love and the money will follow many say. That is absolutely not true and I’ve wasted years working at it. I have only in recent years thrown that wasteful mindset in the trash along with the words “hope” and “try”. There is only do or not do. The money will follow ONLY if there is a market willing to pay you for what you love to do. Period. Hats off to those that have found nirvana by being smothered in cash by doing what they love. But if your passion is making artistic living room furniture out of old tires, good luck in seeing the cash flow. I wish I could remember where I read this to credit the author, but I have several large signs in my office. “You get paid for the value you bring to the market place” to keep me focused. It’s not about your time, your ability, how smart you are, how pretty you are, how educated you are, or your passion! It’s about is the market ready to give you cash for what you have to offer. If your passion doesn’t create a product or service the market wants to buy, the cash will not follow. Certainly I want to pursue something I believe in, already have some basic skills in that I can develop, and can get excited about becoming the best at. But starting from “my passion” is not a realistic view of what it takes to succeed in the real world market place. Build a business, talent, or service you like that forces the market to rip cash from their pockets and give it to you because they can’t help themselves and use that cash to pamper your passion. Love the books Larry!
Larry,
Anyone who has seen you live or watched The Big Spender or read any of your books would undoubtebly call you passionate about what you do. Granted you might not enjoy the travel and hotels but when you are up on the stage you are having a great time…you are passionate! Passionate or not one must get some enjoyment out of the 8-5 workweek or you will not be successful in your chosen occupation. I am not passionate about the products I sell but I am passionate about helping my customers and cultivating those relationships. I get a great sense of pride in helping them solve a problem. You can debate the whole passion thing but one thing is certain, you can’t be great doing something you do not like to do no matter how hard you work.
One other comment, some of your fans need to also think for themselves. They fall all over ever word you say and take it as the gospel just because it goes against the establishment. Much of the time you are correct but sometimes you miss. But then again, most people are sheep and few are eagles!
Looks like the other Brian needs to keep reading books. The one titled, “it’s better to be silent and thought to be stupid, rather then opening your mouth and removing all doubt”.
Sorry that’s not very nice, but I really don’t care. Had to say it.
Great Job Larry! Keep ’em coming.
I recently had someone with a different viewpoint on a post I wrote about working hard, I have my first Winget book in hand , for what its worth I will use quotes from it, and I will be sure to give you the credit. There are some gems in it. I was taught to work hard, my passion fuels my work ethic, at least thats how I look at it
Larry: I couldn’t agree more with your comments about Passion and if more people in my field of work (Realtors) thought like this then they’d be a lot more successful and they’d have to do a lot less prospecting. My clients want someone who knows the business, the process and can make it happen for them…not passion! Thanks so much all your books they have been motivating and educational. Thanks again for all your honesty!
Larry,
I’ve met you twice at your speaking engagements and I agree with Jim Owen that your books should be required reading. Enough with everybody has to play fair. We are ruining our kids with “no score” games and “everybody is a winner”! That is not life. I have been in sales and management for twenty years and after reading your book “It’s called work for a reason”, I thought that perhaps I sucked as a salesman. I took a real hard look at myself and my success. I realized I didn’t suck, but I did hate what I was doing. So I fired my employer! I got out of the industry that I have been in for the last eight years and made a complete life change. I love it. Thank you for opening my eyes. I realize that most everything you write and speak about is nothing new, it is just put in terms that even us morons can get it without all the sugar coating. I own all your books and will continue to support you financially by purchasing any others you write.
From one fellow native Okie to another, Thanks!
Richard
Hello Larry,
What is Passion? I learned the meaning of this word way back, I mean way…back in 5 grade. Ms. Amilosek said; “Passion is a powerful emotion, such as love or anger and after a few drinks can even turn into a strong, powerful, and unable to resist sexual desire. Now, get over here, drop your pants and let’s earn you another A”. Okay, I know… too much information, but I’m a product of a Catholic School education and upbringing and I just had to let it out. (No pun intended.)
Larry, these quotes may sound familiar. “I feel your pain.” “I want to make a difference.” “I have a passion for leadership.” These are examples of the ever popular “Passion” campaign. Just listen to all this BULL (your word) voiced and written about letting your emotions direct the course of your life. Follow your passion, live with passion, live your passion, do it with passion, and even the question; where is your passion? Larry, all of these phrases have been said to me in both my business and personal life by people attempting to trick, bamboozle, hoodwink and even guilt me into feeeeeeling the way they do or even worst… the way they think I should.
The last “Passionate” business owner I allow myself to deal with told me; “I don’t see your passion, how can I trust a man without passion.” My response; “Look at his track record, you idiot.” With that said, for the next 40 minutes a duel of common sense and wit ensued, and sadly this warm-n-fuzzy, left-winged softy… had showed up unarmed.
Have you found it to be true, that most people who banner the idea that emotion and passion alone can overcome most, if not all of life’s’ challenges…simplify don’t get much of anything done. They forget to add in a little common sense and a whole lot of hard work to their effort, but why work when you’ve got passion. Like Ms. Amilosek said; “Ain’t nothing common about common sense and work…well that’s just plain rare. Now, get over here and get you some extra credit.”
Update on this guy I mentioned. His wife got 60% of everything and 18k per month for the next fourteen years. Maybe it wasn’t his passion he was following after all, but a passion for someone else.
Here’s my point. You don’t get credit for what you say you’ll do. And it’s fair to say; No extra credit is earned because you constantly talking about how passionate you are about “whatever”. Passion is a slow, white hot burn. Not a reckless outburst of excitement and emotion. Passion is a feeling you enjoy at the end of the day. In the morning, that feeling that most misunderstand for passion is you sensing the anticipation and potentiality of a new day. The sad new for most is that this sensation will erode to a low-level form of excitement by mid-day, if not before lunch (Lunch is for wimps). This feeling worsens if a person does not contribute his talent, expertise, experience and hard work toward an immediate goal. Failure to contribute towards or help complete the day’s “task at hand” will extinguish our internal flame of ambition thus prevent a person from experiencing a sense of self-worth to grow. Man is here to accomplish, contribute, and create…..to do things. We all feel most alive when we make things better. Elvis said: “A little less conversation.” Let’s drop the “P” word, and get to work.
And one more thing…I like Donnie. My business partner LOVES him. So, when I am visiting the office he runs in Las Vegas, we wind down after a success filled day by taking in some TV time. His all time favorite … TiVo’s recorded episodes of the “The Big Idea”. I did watch your appearance. Here is my impression, Donnie is a bit “left” on most of his views and why won’t he be? After all, he started with a billion. Live with Passion…ugh!
Thank you , Larry
Fred Mertens
P.S. I know that who you say you are…you are. Here’s how. A client of mine introduced himself to you in an Airport (may have been ATL). Anyway, he told me that you did not play up to him or act like most of the “self-help” gurus he has met before. You were polite, however you excused yourself without a pitch or any attempt to demonstrate your passion for your trade. My client said that he was left with the impression that you are; “To busy live to act stupid.”
Brian, YOU TALKING TO ME? I see you have so much time on Valentine’s day you can actually post a comment on a blog. I now know all I need to know about you!!! I think you might want to read Larry’s book- Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get A Life. I would suggest that you read the Get A Life part three times. I would then recommend a gallon of Proactive solution and some mouthwash so the prostitutes no longer tell you that they have a headache!! Peace
I think articles like this are made up just to get attention…something to write about when you don’t have something to write about.
Polarization creates drama. From a traditional paradigm of story telling, drama is necessary. Good vs. Bad, etc.
Discussions about the pros and cons of a situation or issue are very useful, but polarization creates a delusional process.
For example: Is it better to inhale or exhale?
Is success based on passion or hard work? Choose one. I don’t think so.
Passion without reason and hard work is futile. Hard work without passion is a heart attack.
Mr. Winget, have you had your medical check up this year?
Larry,
Cool take on “passion”…..another BUZZ-CRUTCH in the biz world today…..along with “MATRIX” and “People -Person”….bladddady blah blah….
Though you may have frightened Donnie.lol
Let’s just get this part down:
Show up ON-TIME and get the job done right .Be ethical about it, and give your clients their money’s worth.
I like your books.
Ken
Thanks Kenan……….yep, had my check up and things are GREAT for me. Thanks for asking.
I like discussion. My goal is to make people think. I don’t ask people to agree with me. I ask that people stop believing all the mumbo jumbo that is being force fed to them and wake up and think for themselves. As you can tell from the responses to my blog and from the sales of my books and the popularity of my speeches and TV appearances – my message does resonate with some and bother others. Good. My goal is to make people uncomfortable enough so they think about any number of issues and then decide on their own. People need to listen to both sides of every argument and make a well thought out decision.
But to comment on one of your lines: I don’t see too many people who are going to die of a heart attack from working too hard. I don’t see many people working hard at all. I see a lot of people who are putting in the hours and who think they work hard but few really work hard.
Thanks for your comment.
Larry
On the head again, Larry. Passion, shmassion. I’m passionate about my drumming, and daggum good at it, but I’m not going to quit my high paying job that I don’t really enjoy (but I’m very good at) to get paid squat drumming for a living. People do not pay you for passion — in fact, I think in many cases, people are more willing to pay you for “excellent nonchalence” than excellence with passion. Along with passion comes a stubbornness as to the way something “should be”, whereas nonchalance says “I’ll do it however YOU want it cause I don’t really care — but I’ll still be excellent”.
There are rare examples of people who succeed when combining excellence with passion, but it still only happens if there is a large enough market of people who WANT what you have. How many starving artists, musicians and authors exist who are excellent and passionate? No matter what you are excellent and passionate about someone somewhere has to be excellent at promotion, marketing and salesmanship to get others to support you in your passionate endeavor. Everytime I watch Donny Deutsch, this is what I try to glean: What marketing strategy, concept or idea allowed this person to take their “passion” and turn it into big bucks? It’s always the idea that made the money, NOT the passion.
I’m not such a passionate person and have wondered for years if there was something wrong with me because I couldn’t find my “passion” in work. I believe that I do great at work, former employers have told me so. But, now that I am self-employed, I was still looking for that passion……..and am so glad to hear that I haven’t really lost it, that maybe I am not really missing something in my work DNA. That the hard work, long hours and semi-passion I gave to others I will give to my own business. And, as others have said, hopefully people will want to purchase the excellent services I can give. I actually enjoy work, it can give me pride and a sense of fulfilment at the end of a day. But no real passion.
A good laugh and a great conversation……..now that I can find passion for.
Work really is needed. It never ends, there will always be rubbish happening in the real world and if some people don’t work to cover the fault of others the entire thing would turn out into an anarchy. Work really isn’t about passion, it’s about income, and those who do realize this early have more time and luck to spend their time putting their passion on something else more valuable. Not that we’re cold-hearted freaks, just that work is a part of life, no more no less, and unless someone DO it, the entire thing works.
Mr. Winget, a part of me agrees your statement, but the other totally does not. Your point of view of getting people ‘on the go’ is quite good. But according to me, life is not complete without passion. A person wastes his whole life if he does not believe (or rather work on) his passion. Passion leads to excellence. Desire to be successful is equally important. But you said “I ask that people stop believing all the mumbo jumbo that is being force fed to them and wake up and think for themselves”, which is what i totally agree on. I’ll surely try to do that from now. You surely have a “thanks” from me.