Following on from the TED video by Larry Smith (available on the course Vula site under Resources/Resources), I would like you to consider & share your passion and what may be standing in the way of your realising this passion....unless...
Larry Smith was adament and firm that every individual each goes through stages of wanting to be something more than they currently are. Every one has dreams, goals and visions, but the problem is we limit these with our fears of failure, intimidation, time constraints, costs and image-how others will interpret our madness of chasing our dreams! So we hide behind the curtain of these excuses and prolong these in dwelt passions, that we pretend are going to one day, magically appear before our eyes, accomplished! Regardless of how driven, or determined we are, what Larry Smith seems to think is that one needs to throw away these minor excuses, and chase your passion! Passion is the driving success behind every decision and thought we have. I personally use time constraints as my curtain of ecuse! I have goals and dreams but limit these due to my worry of time constraints, hence i don not follow these with passion, and am limited in my capacity. The key to following my passion, is to enjoy every moment, make the most of every opprtunity, and I will not only follow my passion, but live it!
The main thing I enjoyed about this video is how Larry Smith explained the formation of a great job through interests. Only once you have a few interests in your daily life, one would start to become more "important" to you and eventually would become a passion, and it’s this passion which is the main driving force in acquiring your "dream job". The main thing I realised when watching this video this that I as an individual need to acquire and build up my interests, and I take it this can be done by either trial and error of different things or alternatively, speaking to people with various interests that you may relate to and get involved in their interest to start formulating one’s own interests. Once you have found your passion the only thing standing in your way is yourself and the excuses you make.
I found it very interesting that Larry Smith said that you go through many interests before you actually find your passion. I think that what has been holding me back is the notion that 'your passion will find you' rather than the other way around.
When I see someone who has a true passion I assume that they just came upon that 'passion' by chance and it stuck. Larry Smith makes you think twice... You can actually go out and try many different things in the hope of finding one that grabs you.
I suppose it's never too late to go out and find that passion!!
I think what i took from the Larry Smith video about passion and dreams, is that you have to discover what it is that you love and create a means for your passion to flow into your career. It is difficult to really understand and know what is actually out there, and only by experiencing all sorts on interest will you discover what makes you tick. Once you know what type of passions you can get lost in, then you can truly realise your dreams and channel them into your 'dream job'.
The video was inspiring but I think that it was more targeted at people who already have jobs and are not finding them fulfilling. I have always been on a mission to find my one true passion, and have dabbled in may interests in the pursuit of this. I have been passionate about certain elements of each interest, but haven't found my one true passion yet. The video has inspired me to look forward to entering the working world and to find a career that will make me look forward to getting up every day and allow me to express my passion.
My passion is the US Entertainment Industry in terms of music. It has always been a dream of mine to be the CEO of a major US record label (like Interscope, which is responsible for signing and managing the careers of major artists such as The Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga, to name a few).
I find the industry very dynamic and unpredictable. I find this interesting and challenging, as labels have to sense when it is the right time to debut new artists, or hold them back for a release date at a later stage. Given the rise of social media, one has the power to really make an indelible imprint on popular culture through music, and I believe that being able to achieve that would be amazing. To think that a 4 minute snippet of sound can do that is mindblowing to me.
What is standing in my way of realising this passion is lack of external support and belief in its plausibility. Others who I have told of this passion just don’t get it, or don’t see why I’m so invested in it. They question if there are even degrees which qualify one to be a Record Label executive. There are: NYU is one such institution that offers them. That external criticism can result in feelings of self-doubt. However, I am determined to realise my dream, one day.
i have always loved animals and always wanted to be vet or animal keeper, or game ranger. reason why i have not pursued this passion is because i don't think i am smart enough to be a vet and may not make much money in that industry.
i feel that being a game ranger would make me look like a loser, as though i have no education or intelligence.
maybe one day when i am wealthy and have receive my degree i will look beyond what people think and become a game ranger or realise that the intelligence of becoming a vet is not of such high standards as i thought to be.
or maybe ill never become a vet or game ranger and just buy a farm and pretend i am one or the other, and then maybe i will be happiest i have ever been? or maybe it wont change a thing?
would going for you passion always make you happier? more successful? are those high powered bosses following their dreams?
I found Larry Smith’s speech very inspirational and motivational on how to pursue a great career. He talks of the difference between having a passion and having an interest for something, I really like how he clearly distinguishes the two using the example of proposing to your lover because they are interesting. He proceeds to say passion is your greatest lover that will help you create your highest expression of your talent, which I believe to be true. With all that said I do not agree with him when it comes to giving up human relationships for your career.
I believe just as individuals need their basic needs met in order to develop and grow, human relationships are also essential for our individual growth and development. The relationships that we have with others and our family can and will affect our behavior.It is important that as individuals we have support from our relationships because strong support is good for our well-being and therefore our relationships must be strengthened. In some circumstances a career that one wants to pursue can be against moral and religious beliefs of his/her society, in such cases one has to reconsider and start thinking of alternative careers.
Personally I have a passion to be an actor, unfortunately I don’t have the talent. I know it sounds crazy and hilarious but true. As a kid I’ve always dreamt of being a Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone figure...killing an army of Vietnam soldiers by myself without breaking a sweat
I found the Larry Smith video very interesting and thought the message he was trying to bring across was very easy for everyone to relate to. Everyone goes through different stages in their life which influences their interests and dreams. As we grow up our interests become less broad and start to define us into the people we are today. I think some people go into a job without ever considering whether or not they actually have an interest or a passion for the type and job and end up either unsuccessful or unhappy. What Larry Smith advises is that an individual should rather use their passion and interests to the best of their ability in anything they wish to do one day and the chances of them being successful and happy are far more likely.If you do what you love it will drive you. The sad and unfortunate thing is however, is that not everyone can be financially successful if they follow their passion, and this means that they will need to consider different career options which could still possibly be in the same line as their passion. For example, I have always had an interest in buildings, design, drawing and travelling and there were a few career options that I didn't think would lead me into the financial position that I wanted to be in. So therefore I decided to study property Studies, and today I know so much more about property and have acquired a passion for it and cannot wait to enter the industry.
I found the video to be hilarious in the sense that what he said is actually true but we often don’t admit it to ourselves. We have all been blessed with talents and skills and are unaware of these until we actually give it a shot and see where it takes us and whether or not we have an instant passion for whatever it is or whether we will learn to love it.
I have a number of passions but find myself always going halfway and never fully taking it to the level where I can say I have accomplished the ultimate in whatever it is.
One of my passions lies in sport. I have played Netball all my life and received my Western Province colours from 2007 to 2009 (the year I matriculated). I tried out for the senior Western Province team in 2010 and found that my studies were more demanding than I thought it would be. I would have loved to play for the South African team but then life happens and you need to prepare for the future so that is why I am studying to one day hopefully work and earn a decent income and enjoy life comfortably. In that way I think I am a realist as opposed to a dreamer.
I do have a couple of things that I want to do in the future and I won’t let my subconscious barriers stand in the way of them.
I liked the approach that Larry Smith took in his video by incorporating humour into the topic in order to hold the audiences attention and keep them interested. I also liked the way he emphasisied the topic and used unique ways to define the differences between interest and passion. I feel that discovering what interests you would be the basis of finding your passion. The only way to discover your interests would be to be open to learning and experiencing new things in life and also to be open to change and to do things that you would not normally do as sometimes you may find that your passion lies completely outside of your comfort zone. Many people dont pursue their passion due to fear of failure,unhappiness or being put off by lack of understanding from others.
As of yet, I am not too sure as to what my passion may be as I hav many different interests. I feel that what is standing in my way of realising my passion would be the lack of trying new things in life which imposes a limit on me possibly finding my real passion. Another thing standing in my way could be my dislike for change.
I found the video we watch to very interesting and at the same time very relevant. It's so important to find a job you love because you spend so much of your time at work. Larry Smith made the prospect of finding the right career seem plausible and he discussed it in a way that was easy to understand and captured the audiences attention. Although I don't feel I have a passion that I wish to pursue at this stage in my life, I do feel that there are oppotunities out there that I would enjoy to be a part of. So to a certain extent I disagree with him. Although it is important to do something you love it doesn't neccessarily have to be you passion in order for you to enjoy your job. I love the concept of green building and design and I'd like to get more involved in that field once I graduate but I don't feel that I would be disapointed if i follow the asset management route, it would be equally exciting and interesting to me but is not directly linked to my "passion." Overall I feel what he said was relevant but not is not entirely true. Some one may have a passion for art but end up being an english teacher, this doesn't mean that they are unhappy with their job and dreaming of another life.
The video was very inspiring in the way that it makes you realise and want to get up and do what you love without beating around the bush but by being very direct. Even if you did not have a passion before you watched the video it made you want to find something you would be passionate about. At the moment my biggest passion is running and I would like to complete a half a marathon. Running has led me to lead a healthier lifestyle and this is why i love it so much. in a weird way it helps you clear your head as well. things that stand in my way sometimes are being exhausted from being at campus and then having to come home and do extra work, which cuts into my running time. I don't run with a group I run by myself and thus its a problem to run at night by myself. Also a genral mental block keeps me behind with my training as well as doubting myself.
Larry Smiths sppech was something I found really interesting and I have watched a few times now.
He basis most of his speech on excuses that people make and how we try give others around us all the opportunities but we are scared ourselves to take all the opportunities or dreams that we have and seem to find any excuse not to follow them.
I was a bit shocked, but understood when he started basing being a good friend/boyfriend/father/husband as an excuse, I thought he was a bit too straigh forward, and almost suggested neglecting those roles, but realise now that he just meant it and another excuse that we could use.
I personally am in the stage that he talked about where we have a lot of interests disguised as our passions and we need to cut them down to find our true passion. I am really excited to try seek new valid interests and very soon cut them down to find my true passion and persue it without excuses, to not only be good, but be great.
The TED video was very interesting in explaining the difference between an average career and a great career. I think a lot of people think a normal 9 to 5 job at the top of the corporate ladder qualifies as a great career but that is not the case. There are many more possibilities and a combination of different jobs is the key to finding your dream career.
I believe that if you do what you like and you love your job, success will come naturally with hard work. I think there will be many things that might stand in the way of me realizing my passion but the main thing is experience. The truth is people rely on their experience to get a job and once they have one they are too scared to leave because of the qualifications required for the alternative job. When pursuing my dream career I hope that I get a bit of luck when starting out and then its hard work and taking opportunities from there.
I think that people with one passion in life are boring. You like playing the fiddle? Great. But I can't understand a life where you spend ever waking moment playing that fiddle. What about the piano? Or the guitar? How about the banjo? Maybe you'd find something even greater if you tried something new, instead of just practicing and practicing on that one fiddle. Recently, I started reading Steve Job's biography. Now Steve Jobs had passion. But more importantly, he had a drive that was unstoppable, except by cancer, of course. I think that Smith's TED talk was significantly flawed by the fact that he did not mention drive. He implicitly does, as if passion is going to fuel drive, but I don't think the two necessary go hand-in-hand. Back to Steve Jobs - In his biography, Jobs talks about realizing in an acid trip that creating great things was the important bit in life, instead of making money. He says that he wanted to put good things into the stream of history and into the stream of human consciousness, as much as he could. And I think this concept is what pushed him to create Apple, that this concept is what drove his passion. So, I'll take a note from Job's book (and his character) and say that my passion is creating great things. To me, this is a concept that won't help me choose the direction of my next step in life, but it will help me choose how I make that next step. I can settle for a job (or an instrument) and put in the time...or I can never stop trying to make great things. I'll choose the latter.
one of my great passions is building and renovating residential property, aswell as managment of property and landscaping, a lack of building knowledge and experince stands in the way of making it a career. This would require possibly what might look like a step back, learning the building trade, but coupled with the finance side that i have learnt in this degree, i think the combination will be perfect, and working for myself will be alot more viable.The scary step, is working in a field that i have very little experince in.
Larry Smith ended his talk with this concept of UNLESS. Unless there is a way that I can overcome my fears of failure and not fitting into society. A passion of mine is interaction with people and the ability to relate to an individual on a personal level which leads to a relationship of understanding. In business I wish to fulfil my passion of human interaction by building healthy working relations. Whether between employee, employer or in partnership, healthy relations will lead to better work performance on both sides and in a tough situation we can resolve the situation without any comlications. There are a few things that could prevent me from fulfiling this passion. If I were to end up in a dead end job with little incentive to succeed, it would be extremely tough to show any enthusiasm towards building working relations with my colleagues.
I've always had a great passion for building and design and came very close to studying architecture a few years ago, however, I went on to study graphic design and art direction which has some similar traits and aspects but it is definitely not the same. When I finished studying graphic design & art direction, I found myself at a fork in the road where I needed to ask myself some important questions. I needed to consider if I wanted to go out and make a career for myself being a graphic designer and an art director or if I should look back at my passion and explore that path. I have decided not to rush into a career, and rather continue studying and allow myself more time to consider what career path I shall take. This is were I agree with Larry Smith by following a career that makes you passionate, as that is how I believe one will become successful.
Larry explains why people fail at achieving great careers. His two main reasons for peoples failure are:
1. Not following passion (making excuses). 2. Settling for interesting.
My passion in life is business. I love everything about the subject. I love the relationships it builds with people, the networking one can expose oneself to, the ability to help make anothers dream come true (as an investor), the possibility to acquire a vast amount of assets which will be testament to ones success and the status one gains from being a great business person. I truly believe that I can reach my goal through perseverance and determination. One thing that may be preventing me from doing so, like Larry explained, is my social life. This takes a huge chunk of my time and causes me to lose focus. I shall overcome this barrier by managing my time better and focusing much more of my energy on building successful businesses.
Larry Smith explains how everyone is incapable of having a great career because of fear. After informing the audience of the change in the job climate from the early 20th century to modern day he states that most individuals who do not attempt to achieve a great career believe that having a great career and having a great personal life are mutually exclusive.
My passion is concerned with developing rural areas in southern Africa, also encouraging sustainability. If I am to achieve this I must gain experience in the practicality of the task which I believe is my biggest obstacle. For this goal to become a reality I must dedicate more of my vacation time to my passion.
This TED talk was eye opening to say the least. I’ve found that the problem in reaching my dreams is the constant focus on the gap between where I am and where I want to be. This has been psychological suicide! And in identifying the problem I have now moved forward in my way of think by subdividing my dreams into manageable steps to bridge this gap more effectively and quickly. I have found it important to visualize the final dream, however instead of wasting my energy on visualizing the distance I still need to go, I’m spending my time enjoying the journey to my success.
Larry Smith started the conversation by bringing up failure, it was interesting as when you intially start/open with a negative point, your crowd will tend to become despondent. However personally he still had my attention and listening on he started to unravel why he started off on a negative front.
Bringing up excuses and how we do it to stop us from achieving what we want to do, as in society it is easier to look for the reasons why you can't do it over why you could take the leap do it. It is true that there is a fine line between genius and insanity, and an outsider can judge the situation and state when the person in question is clinging onto a dream/ambition he will not achieve, but the reality is who is this outsider to judge what we can/can't do?
Larry mentions passion and how it is just so much more than just 'interest', there are plenty things that interest me however there are certain things that just light a fire inside of you where you can't explain your desire to achieve and persevere in it when others would have given up long ago.
A passion/obsession of mine is to achieve what I set out to do in a certain way, no matter how difficult it is seen to be, not only getting it done but in the way I do it, I aim to do it without dropping my integrity. Currently I have been involved as an event coordinator (while studying) and have found the task of balancing both fulltime lifestyles at once challenging. I do things the hard way, I am involved with events to try provide the opportunity for people to have a good time whereas my colleagues and competitors are in it for the money they can squeeze out of it. The same differentiation comes with a lot of my varsity peers where it is pass at any cost whether it be lie, cheat, steal if need be, things I have been adamant I won't do.
Time has been my biggest 'unless' and has hampered me achieving at both to my full potential, and brought up a little doubt within myself that maybe I should get off my 'high horse' and focus on the end result regardless of how I get there. I don't believe I have utilised all my time as effectively as I could have and that frustrates me, I have learnt the increasingly hard way that there is working hard and working smart. By working smart I will be able to achieve what I set out to do while still maintaining the integrity I hold so dearly.
Larry Smith was highlighting the fact that everyone goes through different times throughout their life were their interests change and new dreams are born. The main problem is that people fear of failure. People often give up to easily on their dreams and find and always come up with the same excuse unless.
I have a number of passions however my greatest one is playing cricket. I have played cricket from a young age and represented my province at all age groups. I was invited to train with the Cobras Cricket Team however was unable due to my studies. Sometimes things happen for a reason and who knows maybe when I finish my studies I will get another opportunity and reach my dream.
Larry Smith was key in portraying the 'tough love' approach with regard to people and their dreams. He was blatant and to the point which is what the world needs when making excuses and putting off their passion. His most powerful scenario, for me, in his presentation was that when your child one day tells you that they have a dream, and you may want to redirect them from that dream because it may not be that easy or lucrative, you'll say "I had a dream too once, BUT..." and when you stand there and give your excuses, you may feel this sensation of denial and regret.
My dream is to perform music but what really holds me back is the lack of close friends that share such a passion and also the slight margin for success that comes with this career. It may also come down to the fact that I'm taking the safe route of knowing what will at least give me a job and following in family footsteps, but if you really want to strive and do what you love, you have to put aside all petty excuses and pursue your passion and even if you fail, you won't have to tell your child one day of all your petty excuses or why you couldn't just have tried.
I think for myself, I am living my dreams and passions every day. I am content with myself and who I am. I am far from perfect, but i do enjoy where i am at.
In terms of who I am, I have realised that life is not measured by success. We all make plans for our future, ut no one is guaranteed of tomorrow. I know I am safe though, I have my life in the Lord's hands.
Of course I am going to strive to become successful in my career, because I want to be the provider for my family one day.
The video is interesting and comes across strongly because Larry is speaking about passion, and it is clear that he is very passionate and believes in what he is saying. We can see (or are made to believe) that speaking about passion is actually Larry's passion.
A passion of mine has always been sport (and rugby in particular). A problem arose in Matric when I damaged my ACL and could no longer play. A way of combating this and keeping up my passion is through coaching rugby at school level for the past few years.
Larry Smith was adament and firm that every individual each goes through stages of wanting to be something more than they currently are. Every one has dreams, goals and visions, but the problem is we limit these with our fears of failure, intimidation, time constraints, costs and image-how others will interpret our madness of chasing our dreams! So we hide behind the curtain of these excuses and prolong these in dwelt passions, that we pretend are going to one day, magically appear before our eyes, accomplished! Regardless of how driven, or determined we are, what Larry Smith seems to think is that one needs to throw away these minor excuses, and chase your passion! Passion is the driving success behind every decision and thought we have. I personally use time constraints as my curtain of ecuse! I have goals and dreams but limit these due to my worry of time constraints, hence i don not follow these with passion, and am limited in my capacity. The key to following my passion, is to enjoy every moment, make the most of every opprtunity, and I will not only follow my passion, but live it!
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I enjoyed about this video is how Larry Smith explained the formation of a great job through interests. Only once you have a few interests in your daily life, one would start to become more "important" to you and eventually would become a passion, and it’s this passion which is the main driving force in acquiring your "dream job". The main thing I realised when watching this video this that I as an individual need to acquire and build up my interests, and I take it this can be done by either trial and error of different things or alternatively, speaking to people with various interests that you may relate to and get involved in their interest to start formulating one’s own interests. Once you have found your passion the only thing standing in your way is yourself and the excuses you make.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting that Larry Smith said that you go through many interests before you actually find your passion. I think that what has been holding me back is the notion that 'your passion will find you' rather than the other way around.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see someone who has a true passion I assume that they just came upon that 'passion' by chance and it stuck. Larry Smith makes you think twice... You can actually go out and try many different things in the hope of finding one that grabs you.
I suppose it's never too late to go out and find that passion!!
I think what i took from the Larry Smith video about passion and dreams, is that you have to discover what it is that you love and create a means for your passion to flow into your career. It is difficult to really understand and know what is actually out there, and only by experiencing all sorts on interest will you discover what makes you tick. Once you know what type of passions you can get lost in, then you can truly realise your dreams and channel them into your 'dream job'.
ReplyDeleteThe video was inspiring but I think that it was more targeted at people who already have jobs and are not finding them fulfilling. I have always been on a mission to find my one true passion, and have dabbled in may interests in the pursuit of this. I have been passionate about certain elements of each interest, but haven't found my one true passion yet. The video has inspired me to look forward to entering the working world and to find a career that will make me look forward to getting up every day and allow me to express my passion.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is the US Entertainment Industry in terms of music. It has always been a dream of mine to be the CEO of a major US record label (like Interscope, which is responsible for signing and managing the careers of major artists such as The Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga, to name a few).
ReplyDeleteI find the industry very dynamic and unpredictable. I find this interesting and challenging, as labels have to sense when it is the right time to debut new artists, or hold them back for a release date at a later stage. Given the rise of social media, one has the power to really make an indelible imprint on popular culture through music, and I believe that being able to achieve that would be amazing. To think that a 4 minute snippet of sound can do that is mindblowing to me.
What is standing in my way of realising this passion is lack of external support and belief in its plausibility. Others who I have told of this passion just don’t get it, or don’t see why I’m so invested in it. They question if there are even degrees which qualify one to be a Record Label executive. There are: NYU is one such institution that offers them. That external criticism can result in feelings of self-doubt. However, I am determined to realise my dream, one day.
i would consider my passion to be animals.
ReplyDeletei have always loved animals and always wanted to be vet or animal keeper, or game ranger. reason why i have not pursued this passion is because i don't think i am smart enough to be a vet and may not make much money in that industry.
i feel that being a game ranger would make me look like a loser, as though i have no education or intelligence.
maybe one day when i am wealthy and have receive my degree i will look beyond what people think and become a game ranger or realise that the intelligence of becoming a vet is not of such high standards as i thought to be.
or maybe ill never become a vet or game ranger and just buy a farm and pretend i am one or the other, and then maybe i will be happiest i have ever been? or maybe it wont change a thing?
would going for you passion always make you happier? more successful? are those high powered bosses following their dreams?
I found Larry Smith’s speech very inspirational and motivational on how to pursue a great career. He talks of the difference between having a passion and having an interest for something, I really like how he clearly distinguishes the two using the example of proposing to your lover because they are interesting. He proceeds to say passion is your greatest lover that will help you create your highest expression of your talent, which I believe to be true. With all that said I do not agree with him when it comes to giving up human relationships for your career.
ReplyDeleteI believe just as individuals need their basic needs met in order to develop and grow, human relationships are also essential for our individual growth and development. The relationships that we have with others and our family can and will affect our behavior.It is important that as individuals we have support from our relationships because strong support is good for our well-being and therefore our relationships must be strengthened. In some circumstances a career that one wants to pursue can be against moral and religious beliefs of his/her society, in such cases one has to reconsider and start thinking of alternative careers.
Personally I have a passion to be an actor, unfortunately I don’t have the talent. I know it sounds crazy and hilarious but true. As a kid I’ve always dreamt of being a Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone figure...killing an army of Vietnam soldiers by myself without breaking a sweat
I found the Larry Smith video very interesting and thought the message he was trying to bring across was very easy for everyone to relate to. Everyone goes through different stages in their life which influences their interests and dreams. As we grow up our interests become less broad and start to define us into the people we are today. I think some people go into a job without ever considering whether or not they actually have an interest or a passion for the type and job and end up either unsuccessful or unhappy. What Larry Smith advises is that an individual should rather use their passion and interests to the best of their ability in anything they wish to do one day and the chances of them being successful and happy are far more likely.If you do what you love it will drive you.
ReplyDeleteThe sad and unfortunate thing is however, is that not everyone can be financially successful if they follow their passion, and this means that they will need to consider different career options which could still possibly be in the same line as their passion.
For example, I have always had an interest in buildings, design, drawing and travelling and there were a few career options that I didn't think would lead me into the financial position that I wanted to be in. So therefore I decided to study property Studies, and today I know so much more about property and have acquired a passion for it and cannot wait to enter the industry.
I found the video to be hilarious in the sense that what he said is actually true but we often don’t admit it to ourselves. We have all been blessed with talents and skills and are unaware of these until we actually give it a shot and see where it takes us and whether or not we have an instant passion for whatever it is or whether we will learn to love it.
ReplyDeleteI have a number of passions but find myself always going halfway and never fully taking it to the level where I can say I have accomplished the ultimate in whatever it is.
One of my passions lies in sport. I have played Netball all my life and received my Western Province colours from 2007 to 2009 (the year I matriculated). I tried out for the senior Western Province team in 2010 and found that my studies were more demanding than I thought it would be. I would have loved to play for the South African team but then life happens and you need to prepare for the future so that is why I am studying to one day hopefully work and earn a decent income and enjoy life comfortably. In that way I think I am a realist as opposed to a dreamer.
I do have a couple of things that I want to do in the future and I won’t let my subconscious barriers stand in the way of them.
I liked the approach that Larry Smith took in his video by incorporating humour into the topic in order to hold the audiences attention and keep them interested. I also liked the way he emphasisied the topic and used unique ways to define the differences between interest and passion.
ReplyDeleteI feel that discovering what interests you would be the basis of finding your passion. The only way to discover your interests would be to be open to learning and experiencing new things in life and also to be open to change and to do things that you would not normally do as sometimes you may find that your passion lies completely outside of your comfort zone. Many people dont pursue their passion due to fear of failure,unhappiness or being put off by lack of understanding from others.
As of yet, I am not too sure as to what my passion may be as I hav many different interests. I feel that what is standing in my way of realising my passion would be the lack of trying new things in life which imposes a limit on me possibly finding my real passion. Another thing standing in my way could be my dislike for change.
I found the video we watch to very interesting and at the same time very relevant. It's so important to find a job you love because you spend so much of your time at work. Larry Smith made the prospect of finding the right career seem plausible and he discussed it in a way that was easy to understand and captured the audiences attention. Although I don't feel I have a passion that I wish to pursue at this stage in my life, I do feel that there are oppotunities out there that I would enjoy to be a part of. So to a certain extent I disagree with him. Although it is important to do something you love it doesn't neccessarily have to be you passion in order for you to enjoy your job. I love the concept of green building and design and I'd like to get more involved in that field once I graduate but I don't feel that I would be disapointed if i follow the asset management route, it would be equally exciting and interesting to me but is not directly linked to my "passion." Overall I feel what he said was relevant but not is not entirely true. Some one may have a passion for art but end up being an english teacher, this doesn't mean that they are unhappy with their job and dreaming of another life.
ReplyDeleteThe video was very inspiring in the way that it makes you realise and want to get up and do what you love without beating around the bush but by being very direct. Even if you did not have a passion before you watched the video it made you want to find something you would be passionate about. At the moment my biggest passion is running and I would like to complete a half a marathon. Running has led me to lead a healthier lifestyle and this is why i love it so much. in a weird way it helps you clear your head as well. things that stand in my way sometimes are being exhausted from being at campus and then having to come home and do extra work, which cuts into my running time. I don't run with a group I run by myself and thus its a problem to run at night by myself. Also a genral mental block keeps me behind with my training as well as doubting myself.
ReplyDeleteLarry Smiths sppech was something I found really interesting and I have watched a few times now.
ReplyDeleteHe basis most of his speech on excuses that people make and how we try give others around us all the opportunities but we are scared ourselves to take all the opportunities or dreams that we have and seem to find any excuse not to follow them.
I was a bit shocked, but understood when he started basing being a good friend/boyfriend/father/husband as an excuse, I thought he was a bit too straigh forward, and almost suggested neglecting those roles, but realise now that he just meant it and another excuse that we could use.
I personally am in the stage that he talked about where we have a lot of interests disguised as our passions and we need to cut them down to find our true passion. I am really excited to try seek new valid interests and very soon cut them down to find my true passion and persue it without excuses, to not only be good, but be great.
The TED video was very interesting in explaining the difference between an average career and a great career. I think a lot of people think a normal 9 to 5 job at the top of the corporate ladder qualifies as a great career but that is not the case. There are many more possibilities and a combination of different jobs is the key to finding your dream career.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if you do what you like and you love your job, success will come naturally with hard work. I think there will be many things that might stand in the way of me realizing my passion but the main thing is experience. The truth is people rely on their experience to get a job and once they have one they are too scared to leave because of the qualifications required for the alternative job. When pursuing my dream career I hope that I get a bit of luck when starting out and then its hard work and taking opportunities from there.
I think that people with one passion in life are boring. You like playing the fiddle? Great. But I can't understand a life where you spend ever waking moment playing that fiddle. What about the piano? Or the guitar? How about the banjo? Maybe you'd find something even greater if you tried something new, instead of just practicing and practicing on that one fiddle.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I started reading Steve Job's biography. Now Steve Jobs had passion. But more importantly, he had a drive that was unstoppable, except by cancer, of course. I think that Smith's TED talk was significantly flawed by the fact that he did not mention drive. He implicitly does, as if passion is going to fuel drive, but I don't think the two necessary go hand-in-hand.
Back to Steve Jobs - In his biography, Jobs talks about realizing in an acid trip that creating great things was the important bit in life, instead of making money. He says that he wanted to put good things into the stream of history and into the stream of human consciousness, as much as he could. And I think this concept is what pushed him to create Apple, that this concept is what drove his passion.
So, I'll take a note from Job's book (and his character) and say that my passion is creating great things. To me, this is a concept that won't help me choose the direction of my next step in life, but it will help me choose how I make that next step. I can settle for a job (or an instrument) and put in the time...or I can never stop trying to make great things. I'll choose the latter.
one of my great passions is building and renovating residential property, aswell as managment of property and landscaping, a lack of building knowledge and experince stands in the way of making it a career. This would require possibly what might look like a step back, learning the building trade, but coupled with the finance side that i have learnt in this degree, i think the combination will be perfect, and working for myself will be alot more viable.The scary step, is working in a field that i have very little experince in.
ReplyDeleteLarry Smith ended his talk with this concept of UNLESS. Unless there is a way that I can overcome my fears of failure and not fitting into society.
ReplyDeleteA passion of mine is interaction with people and the ability to relate to an individual on a personal level which leads to a relationship of understanding. In business I wish to fulfil my passion of human interaction by building healthy working relations. Whether between employee, employer or in partnership, healthy relations will lead to better work performance on both sides and in a tough situation we can resolve the situation without any comlications.
There are a few things that could prevent me from fulfiling this passion. If I were to end up in a dead end job with little incentive to succeed, it would be extremely tough to show any enthusiasm towards building working relations with my colleagues.
I've always had a great passion for building and design and came very close to studying architecture a few years ago, however, I went on to study graphic design and art direction which has some similar traits and aspects but it is definitely not the same. When I finished studying graphic design & art direction, I found myself at a fork in the road where I needed to ask myself some important questions. I needed to consider if I wanted to go out and make a career for myself being a graphic designer and an art director or if I should look back at my passion and explore that path. I have decided not to rush into a career, and rather continue studying and allow myself more time to consider what career path I shall take. This is were I agree with Larry Smith by following a career that makes you passionate, as that is how I believe one will become successful.
ReplyDeleteLarry explains why people fail at achieving great careers. His two main reasons for peoples failure are:
ReplyDelete1. Not following passion (making excuses).
2. Settling for interesting.
My passion in life is business. I love everything about the subject. I love the relationships it builds with people, the networking one can expose oneself to, the ability to help make anothers dream come true (as an investor), the possibility to acquire a vast amount of assets which will be testament to ones success and the status one gains from being a great business person. I truly believe that I can reach my goal through perseverance and determination. One thing that may be preventing me from doing so, like Larry explained, is my social life. This takes a huge chunk of my time and causes me to lose focus. I shall overcome this barrier by managing my time better and focusing much more of my energy on building successful businesses.
Larry Smith explains how everyone is incapable of having a great career because of fear. After informing the audience of the change in the job climate from the early 20th century to modern day he states that most individuals who do not attempt to achieve a great career believe that having a great career and having a great personal life are mutually exclusive.
ReplyDeleteMy passion is concerned with developing rural areas in southern Africa, also encouraging sustainability. If I am to achieve this I must gain experience in the practicality of the task which I believe is my biggest obstacle. For this goal to become a reality I must dedicate more of my vacation time to my passion.
This TED talk was eye opening to say the least. I’ve found that the problem in reaching my dreams is the constant focus on the gap between where I am and where I want to be. This has been psychological suicide! And in identifying the problem I have now moved forward in my way of think by subdividing my dreams into manageable steps to bridge this gap more effectively and quickly. I have found it important to visualize the final dream, however instead of wasting my energy on visualizing the distance I still need to go, I’m spending my time enjoying the journey to my success.
ReplyDeleteLarry Smith started the conversation by bringing up failure, it was interesting as when you intially start/open with a negative point, your crowd will tend to become despondent. However personally he still had my attention and listening on he started to unravel why he started off on a negative front.
ReplyDeleteBringing up excuses and how we do it to stop us from achieving what we want to do, as in society it is easier to look for the reasons why you can't do it over why you could take the leap do it. It is true that there is a fine line between genius and insanity, and an outsider can judge the situation and state when the person in question is clinging onto a dream/ambition he will not achieve, but the reality is who is this outsider to judge what we can/can't do?
Larry mentions passion and how it is just so much more than just 'interest', there are plenty things that interest me however there are certain things that just light a fire inside of you where you can't explain your desire to achieve and persevere in it when others would have given up long ago.
A passion/obsession of mine is to achieve what I set out to do in a certain way, no matter how difficult it is seen to be, not only getting it done but in the way I do it, I aim to do it without dropping my integrity. Currently I have been involved as an event coordinator (while studying) and have found the task of balancing both fulltime lifestyles at once challenging. I do things the hard way, I am involved with events to try provide the opportunity for people to have a good time whereas my colleagues and competitors are in it for the money they can squeeze out of it. The same differentiation comes with a lot of my varsity peers where it is pass at any cost whether it be lie, cheat, steal if need be, things I have been adamant I won't do.
Time has been my biggest 'unless' and has hampered me achieving at both to my full potential, and brought up a little doubt within myself that maybe I should get off my 'high horse' and focus on the end result regardless of how I get there. I don't believe I have utilised all my time as effectively as I could have and that frustrates me, I have learnt the increasingly hard way that there is working hard and working smart. By working smart I will be able to achieve what I set out to do while still maintaining the integrity I hold so dearly.
Larry Smith was highlighting the fact that everyone goes through different times throughout their life were their interests change and new dreams are born. The main problem is that people fear of failure. People often give up to easily on their dreams and find and always come up with the same excuse unless.
ReplyDeleteI have a number of passions however my greatest one is playing cricket. I have played cricket from a young age and represented my province at all age groups. I was invited to train with the Cobras Cricket Team however was unable due to my studies. Sometimes things happen for a reason and who knows maybe when I finish my studies I will get another opportunity and reach my dream.
Larry Smith was key in portraying the 'tough love' approach with regard to people and their dreams. He was blatant and to the point which is what the world needs when making excuses and putting off their passion. His most powerful scenario, for me, in his presentation was that when your child one day tells you that they have a dream, and you may want to redirect them from that dream because it may not be that easy or lucrative, you'll say "I had a dream too once, BUT..." and when you stand there and give your excuses, you may feel this sensation of denial and regret.
ReplyDeleteMy dream is to perform music but what really holds me back is the lack of close friends that share such a passion and also the slight margin for success that comes with this career. It may also come down to the fact that I'm taking the safe route of knowing what will at least give me a job and following in family footsteps, but if you really want to strive and do what you love, you have to put aside all petty excuses and pursue your passion and even if you fail, you won't have to tell your child one day of all your petty excuses or why you couldn't just have tried.
I think for myself, I am living my dreams and passions every day. I am content with myself and who I am. I am far from perfect, but i do enjoy where i am at.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of who I am, I have realised that life is not measured by success. We all make plans for our future, ut no one is guaranteed of tomorrow. I know I am safe though, I have my life in the Lord's hands.
Of course I am going to strive to become successful in my career, because I want to be the provider for my family one day.
Life is good:)
The video is interesting and comes across strongly because Larry is speaking about passion, and it is clear that he is very passionate and believes in what he is saying. We can see (or are made to believe) that speaking about passion is actually Larry's passion.
ReplyDeleteA passion of mine has always been sport (and rugby in particular). A problem arose in Matric when I damaged my ACL and could no longer play. A way of combating this and keeping up my passion is through coaching rugby at school level for the past few years.