If You’re Not Following Your Passion, You’ll Always Be Looking for an Exit
Some of my students approach me with stories of opportunities they get for a business, but they’re not sure if it’s the right opportunity. There’s also sometimes this added lure of making more money even though it’s not necessarily aligned with their personal interests or strengths.
The following is an analogy that I use in one of my courses:
Imagine that you’re on a freeway–an expressway, a highway or whatever it’s called in your country–and you are looking for a specific exit.
If you think it’s coming up but you’re not sure, what lane are you traveling in, the passing lane or the slow lane?
You’re going to be driving in the slow lane looking for that exit because you’re not sure when it’s going to come up. You don’t want to miss it, right?
When you’re not looking for an exit, though, what lane do you try to drive in? You drive in the fast lane, right?
When you are involved in a business or a job where you don’t have a lot of interest, it doesn’t suit you, and you’re just doing it to make money, but it doesn’t sing to your heart, do you know what’s going to happen?
You’ll always be subconsciously looking for an exit.
Subconsciously you’ll be thinking, “How do I get out of here? What else could I do? This isn’t fulfilling. I’m not happy.”
Are you going to be driving in the fast lane or the slow lane? You’re going to be driving in the slow lane.
What’s the result going to be? You’re not going to perform as well. Even though you think you’re going to make more money by going for the money, you actually won’t make more money because you won’t perform at your best, because you’ll be driving in the slow lane. That’s all there is to it.
It’s better to be in something that you’re passionate about, something that you have interest in, and something that is involving your personal strengths and talents because then at least you’ll drive in the fast lane.
Remember my own story. I have the right to teach because I was broke for so long, and eventually I analyzed the principles that kept me broke versus the principles that made me rich. One of the biggest principles was that I was too focused on the vehicle that I thought would get me rich.
I tried that 12 times, and it didn’t work for me, but I never recognized it until a friend of mine sent me a product and said, “You be the distributor out of Florida, and I’ll just take the West Coast. I’m killing it. I’m making about $20,000 a month right now, and I just started! ”
I’m thinking, “Oh my god. Are you kidding? I’m not even making $20,000 in two years! This is fantastic.” He was one of my best friends. He called me every day and asked, “How are you doing?” He gave me tips and all that.
Do you know what happened? Three months later, he was making $30,000 a month, and I was making nothing.
I couldn’t make a sale, get an account or do anything, and I couldn’t believe it. My best friend is doing well with it.
I looked in the mirror and for the very first time I said something that came directly from Spirit.
“Harv, what if it’s not the vehicle? What if it’s you? ”
I then made a decision to pursue the same wealth I’d been pursuing all along, but in an area I’d just as happily work in for free, and the rest I won’t bother repeating here. Needless to say, things worked out.
The bottom line is that you can only do well in areas that are in tune with your spirit, heart, passion, gifts and strengths if you want to be truly successful.
If you choose a vehicle only because you think it’s going to make you rich–and not because it’s your true calling–you’ll always be unconsciously looking for a way out, you’ll always perform poorly, and you’ll always be unhappy.
What’s the vehicle you’d like most to earn riches in? What subject or field are you absolutely passionate about? What keeps you from thinking that you couldn’t become wealthy choosing this field or vehicle?
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For Your Freedom,
Right on! Will be quoting you to my friends who just go for the money; that goal is incomplete.
My passions are interiors and decor. I think about it pretty much all day. I have ideas which I don’t actually on and then see someone else is running with the same idea and feel like I could of been that person. Whats holding me back. Perhaps the security of a set income. Comfort zone. Routine. The known. I am now looking at taking steps to invest a few hours of my day in my passion while working. The hours never seem enough but it’s exciting and I hope to make it something I’m very proud of in the coming months. Who knows. Perhaps it will become my everything.
My passion is to help people to start to believe themselves and to believe that they can create their life :).
Yikes Kris!
I have a similar passion. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to speak publicly professionally. I even shortened my name so it would rhyme, having two syllables for the first and the last names. Basic objective: Reevaluate people’s beliefs and point them toward embracing beliefs that are in the direction of their desires.
However, I am still battling with the possibility that I have always desired this, for the fame it brings; and the fact that it seems ‘very easy’ to me i.e. it comes naturally.
If you do arrive at a resolution, I would be happy to hear it.
Sincere regards,
Tony
Hello Kris, great I have a similar passion, I have an awesome opportunity where we could both grow rich and inspire others people 🙂
If you are interested please contact me here: millionairesbim@gmail.com, thanks
Thanks
I like to help other companies make money, provide solutions that keep them out of account receivables nightmares.
I want people to never have to go through what I did for years run a collection agency to get paid, why not collect everything up front.
What if you suddenly get lost? Driving because everybody does but in some point of your life everything changed and now you don’t know where is your passion and spend ton of time thinking in what yo want, why do you want it.
Sometimes life test your character
Yes, I can relate to this too.
I feel you, David. I feel like I’m a super capable person with the POTENTIAL to do anything. And yet, I keep myself from feeling my passions because of my past failures.
Up until now, I’ve asked myself the question, “What are you passionate about?” and my answer is a resounding, “I don’t know.”
So the question I would LOVE some help with is: How do you DISCOVER (or uncover) your passions when you’ve spent years stifling yourself?
Hello David, Fiona and Brett!
I don’t know you Guys obviously, however, I can direct you somewhere that has personally brought me lots of joy and happiness in my life!
If you are like most of the people, and you love to help and inspire others while growing your bank account and becoming better as a human being, then you may like to give it a try and do network marketing!
If you are interested, please contact me at: millionairesbim@gmail.com I might have a great opportunity for you, thanks
Yes me too I feel the same !
I want to be able to share the power strip for people who suffer back pain.it has been a miracle for my wife
I agree, ppl look at me with a confusing smirk or smike when i say i want everyone happy. Its true, i honestly want everyonee happy that’s around me.
I constantly tell ppl that money doesnt make a person happy and not all get what im trying to put out.
I would like to find the passion within me. I’ve worked for someones for the last 40 yrs. I really haven’t committed myself to any one job or person ever. Instability or insecurity scares me to take the next step.
Hello Dale, I believe I could help you! Please contact me if you are interested, thank you!
Not exactly sure what my passion is…what if there is more than one thing you love? Or the thing you love to do is out of reach ie. dance, but your age is well beyond the dance school stage.
???
Sae: If you love to dance but feel it is out of range due to age, how about teaching people your age to dance? Creating some kind of club around it?I imagine there are many people who say the same thing you do (I love to dance but I’m too old!). Your ideal tribe is out there waiting for you to round them up! And I think the same is true for many things like this. Who else wants that thing and thinks they’re all alone in their desire so they don’t do it — and how could you bring them together, lead them, and make money happily doing so?
The changes we make over the next 5 years, isn’t about the people we meet and the books we read? I dropped out of my career to care for my Mom for 5 years. I feel like I am coming out of the cocoon. Yes, I had employees to care for her, but the stress narrowed my world. I am an RN so my life has been about the people, and recognizing that I am in a bit different profession now, it is still about the people, how we can make other’s lives better!!!
My passion is to help people to become more confident in themselves and find success in their life.
Zing! You rock Harv! Thank you!
A little bit about my story: I’ve been on the right highway (for years actually), just not in the right lane. I’m happy to report that as of a few weeks ago, I’m finally in the right lane…now it’s full speed ahead! And it’s such a relief to know and feel it. For two and a half years I was in the wrong lane, in fact, I was switching between several wrong lanes taking all sorts wrong exits EXCEPT the one that is right for me. The big “aha” was realizing that I’ve actually always known what the right lane was, although that “knowing” was always on the periphery of my awareness. I didn’t realize it because I simply wasn’t the right me yet.
And the principles you teach Harv has helped to get me to that “aha” moment I recently had!
Many blessings
After 37 years in my field, I no longer have the passion as when I started. At age 60, I have no clue what I am passionate about or how I can find out. I have read many books on the subject, but they all seem to be written for someone else, and not me. When I read articles like this it angers me. People get rich writing about this bunk and selling seminars and training. I have never met anyone who actually found their passion, actually pursued their passion and survived financially. I meet loads of business owners and I get hired by some pretty well-off people. Not a single one will tell you this works. I’m just saying.
Thats very sad …what things do u love ?
Sorry i actually agree with u totally accidentally pressed the wrong button!!
My chosen profession – Showbusiness- has 2income classes: poverty and wealth. I am a singer/dancer/actor who loves Show business. I am now 60 and nearly homeless. I am one of the best singers in Las Vegas, have been in films and TV shows but have not been able to monetize my talent. With the years of life I have left I intend to turn this ship around for me and my 4 children who are even more talented and also in poverty. I believe it begins between my ears so I am on a mission to change. God help me. I appreciate your book and teaching. I find it quite biblical which is important to me. Thank you.
Thank you!!!!! Since retiring from a very successful corporate career at age 57, I have tried any number of ventures, but eventually lost interest and let them go. None of them embraced my lifelong passion to help others to believe in themselves and to realize their true potential for a happy, productive life. I now realize that my corporate success was due to my unconsciously applying my passion. I will continue this to become rich. A note to G #14. I suggest that you digest T. Harv Ecker’s book “Secrets of The Millionaire Mind.” Best Wishes to you.
Have you considered Network Marketing?
I love illustration and motion graphics, but it’s not something that gives you money, I’m kinda scared because I just finished my carrer and I’m not sure about what to do :/
Most people 95% are in the slow or cruise lane. They are their because of fear to take action on what they really would like to do. I have been in business for 37 years and 46 years in the food service industry. People use to tell me that I was crazy to be a cook. I have been very successful at this industry. I had success and failures many times. I always redirected my efforts when something did not work. Was I scared? Darn right I was, but by taking a risk and having mentors and coaches help you, I was able to retire with more money than I need and now helping other achieve there goals as well. A person must get out of the cruise lane and get into the fast lane ASAP or you will wonder for ever why you never accomplished your dreams. I have read many financial educational books and Harv Eker book is one of my favorite.
My passion is to help people tap into unlimited natural energy and vitality, so they can live totally charged and fully alive. What if we all came from a space of greater possibility, health and contribution?!
My passion is to be an owner of pharmaceutical company but I still work as a medical representative in a multinational pharmaceutical company as an employee so I still ride a slow vehicle.
This. Is. It. The answer that was missing. Breakthrough. Thank you. Explains everything.
This has been a something that I have thought about since I was a kid. I love to grow food, to work with soil, plants, animals and to produce beautiful delicious food at the moment I live on a small farm and grow a lot of our family’s food but also work in a job to pay mortgage, bills etc. I would love to let go of my job even though it is a good job and I respect my boss but I have no idea how to make money, wealth for my self and my family by growing food. It seems like the physical, time and money input for this will not give me the return we need. But I am doing Harv’s course through Mindvalley and reading his book and I feel like the answer is out there if I let go of the resistance around the search.
My passion is to become a relationship coach. I have no idea though how to come up with the resources needed for the proper training. So I too feel like I am driving in the slow lane wondering how I will ever exit.
I am in Plastic manufacturing , i seem to be not growing this business fast enough, Perhaps i am missing something on the way or i am using a wrong vehicle. Manufacturing is my passion
Dear T .Harv,
Thank you so much for these precious lessons, I had enrolled seminars before and read a lot of motivation books, but it did not work, Now as I am taking your lessons i feel like i didn’t feel before, I have a burning desire to be a human developer and the best public speaker but till now i do not know where to begin .
I am passionate about helping people to save in gold and to leverage a vehicle to create residual income. Harv, thanks for all that you do!
When I awoke this morning I realized I’m not looking for an exit but an entrance to another life!
Thus is a profound message the hole world should install in their minds including me as well. Thank Professor Harv Eker, u are a mind opener
I feel passionate about interior design, making the best with furniture, etc with the needs and wants of my clients… It’s a fun challenge to understand what they want an later see the outcome, is comforting.
Life is happening while I do this, some days I have more energy than others and it’s challenge to make all this come true knowing your jobs depends on a lot of other people job’s and lives.. There is a lot I need to learn so I can delegate and have continuos clients.
Thank you so much! Now I understood and I realized my passionate! Thank you so much!
The last few lines really painted the right picture for me…”What’s the vehicle you’d most like to earn riches in”!!! What business would I be truly happy and proud to put my name to? That really clarifies things for me and has given me some very valuable food for thought! Thanks so very much T. Harv Eker! It’s a privilege to be able to write here. I watch and listen to you all the time my friend!!
Harv, i’d really want to do something in beauty, creativity, healing, and personal development. I want to be a businesswoman, host, TV Personality, producer, actress, performer, singer-songwriter, writer, teacher, wife, and mom. I sent this query again to life.
Holistic health and wellness is my thing, as well as helping others to see and start to reach their potential.
Thank you for this opportunity to clarify something for myself.
Maybe I needed to read this article because i have been looking for an exit for far too long now. My passion lies in that of image consultancy and interior design but for some reason making that step seems scary. Thank you so much for inspiring me to take action.
I have a question .What if there is nothing you are passionate about; what if everything simply is exciting at the beginning then once the novelty is gone so does your interest. I think my passion is starting things for others to finish
I have always wanted to help people know their own self-worth. To learn to love themselves for who they are, where they are right now. My daughter and I are actually starting to move forward with this. I gave a short presentation on this to a group of ladies and am now working on the workshop. So many people think that they are unworthy of self-love because they are not “this” or they don’t own “that”. Our seminars/workshop will help people to understand why and will give them tools to help them move forward in self-love… allowing them to understand that they are worth that love – who they are, where they are right now.
Like a couple of others on here I am trying to find my passion! I’m 24, and went from making 60k last year to almost nothing this year after being laid off. I don’t want to just jump back in to working for someone else who calls the shots and could say goodbye at anytime. I’m taking my time to reevaluate everything from how I manage my money to what kind of business to start up. Does anyone have any ideas for finding your passion? Everyone says I’m too young to be so worried, but succeeding in life is critical to me and right now I feel like I’m failing.
My passion is helping people with quality, design and ergonometric products. With de design experience and my talent of gatherring people together I started my own comapny in Brasil. We import mobility and hygine solutions. Right now we represent two brands of mobility aid equipment, all high design and high quality. Something completely inovative in this country. Also lauching our own line of Higi Pi, a product for women. Learning everyday and doing all it takes to make my company a sucess in order to create my financial freeedom helping others.
It took me years to realize this.
I had a personal coaching to discover my life mission.
And thought the business I was in was actually aligned with it.
Wrong. Totally wrong. I’m broke, never made any money out of the business I have.
Until I started a coaching – THE coaching for me: LMC.
Last wednesday, I had a meeting with my current associate.
And we came together to the best conclusion: we have to complete this company.
I feel light and free.
I have no more programs right now (not true, I know what I want to provide), and feel anyways inspired and energized.
I know where I’m going.
I’m grateful coach Erol helped me lead a wonderful negotiation with my current partner, and guess what: I’m renewing again and again my coaching sessions.
I like helping people with IM, but I really love dogs; well, any kind of animal is awesome. Hmmm? I like IM and that’s what I am going to do and love the heck out of the 3 dogs I have and the four dogs my sister has.
ok but most indie musicians are not making a living at there music
even if there passionate about it
good article and sharing – T. Harv.
sometimes people are lured by money and they go into investments. Yet it is not their passion or strengths.
Hence – some falter and they are not able to make money.
while they waste their time and energies too.
i take your advise.
channel the time and energy into a productive means, something that uses the skills, the strengths and passions.
thank you for the message
My passion is Choreography, Stage, Art. I did Psychology and tried to link even Psychoanalyst.( a Master) And Elect. Engineering.( a PhD). I did not work as engineer. Had to make a choice and stay in the Psy middle.International experience, many languages…..