Are You Living a Passionate Life?

‘I wonder if it’s possible to live a life doing what we like doing?’ asked Rinku. ‘That would be fun.’

‘Nope,’ said Rahul. ‘We can’t do what we like Rinku. We have to like what we do. No option.’

‘But I don’t want to be doing something I don’t like for a living,’ said Rinku. ‘I’d rather do something I’m

fully involved in, something that’s enjoyable, that grows me to my potential.’

‘That won’t earn you a good living,’ said Rahul. ‘Right bhaiyya? You’ll have to sacrifice comfort. I’d like to

play games and live a great life but that’s not possible right?’

‘Why not?’ asked Rakesh. ‘I read this book called ‘The Passion Test’ written by Janet Bray Attwood and

Chris Attwood which says that living our passions is the key to a happy, fulfilled, fun and prosperous life.

And as we know, there are people making a great living while playing games and having fun.’

‘True,’ said Rahul. ‘But how? What is ‘living our passions’?’

‘Our passions are what we love doing the most,’ said Rakesh. ‘What are most important and critical to

our well-being. We’re all unique people with unique gifts. But instead of using our gifts and being at our

best we choose to live a lesser life. Here’s something interesting. A survey of the most successful and

prosperous people revealed that all of them had one thing in common – they had all fulfilled the top 5

things in their ‘things-to-be-doing-when-I-am-living-my-ideal-life’ list. They all knew clearly what their

ideal life looked like and in the process of living it, found happiness, prosperity and fulfillment. So, do

you know what your passions are?’

‘I think so,’ said Rinku. ‘But I’m not sure if they are my passions or my fantasies.’

‘Don’t discount your passions like that,’ laughed Rakesh. ‘I suggest we do the Passion Test to get clarity

on what we want.’

‘Sounds like fun,’ said Rahul. ‘Let’s do it bhaiyya.’

‘Before we start the Passion Test I’d like you to remember the Passion Test mantra,’ said Rakesh. ‘It is

Intention-Attention - No Tension. First set an ‘Intention’ – and consciously state what we’re choosing to

create. Then, give what we have chosen ‘Attention’ – so it grows bigger and stronger in our life. And

thirdly, do it with ‘No Tension’ - anything we hold on to too tightly eludes us, so be open and easy during

the process.’

‘Got it,’ said Rinku smiling. ‘Intention, Attention and No Tension.’

‘Good,’ said Rkesh. ‘Now let’s do the Passion Test and set our ‘Intention’ on the life want to create -

which means we identify our top 5 passions. Take a pen and paper and list down 10-15 things you would

be doing when your life is ideal. Write ‘When my life is ideal, I am…’ for each of the things you’re

passionate about living. For example, ‘When my life is ideal I’m playing cricket for India’ or ‘When my life

is ideal I am living close to nature’. Write it like you are living it – like a verb. Like its happening right

now.‘

‘But bhaiyya,’ asked Rahul. ‘That’s a bit too much right? Maybe we should go for simpler passions?’

‘No Rahul,’ said Rakesh. ‘We’re looking at creating our ideal life. So don’t worry about the How. Just get

clear about the What. Don’t get in the way, don’t play safe. Don’t settle for less. Go for a passionate,

ideal life. Once we’re clear about What, we’ll find the How.’

‘Ok bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘What next?”

‘Now, from your list of 10-15 passions, identify the top 5,’ said Rakesh. ‘To do that, start by comparing 1

and 2 and choose between them the one you want. Your first instinct is the most accurate. Then take

the one you chose and compare with item 3 and choose between them again. Once again, take the one

you chose and compare with item 4. Run through your list of 15 in this way until what remains is your

number one passion. Write that down as Passion number 1.’

‘Hmm,’ said Rinku. ‘And then?’

‘Exclude your first passion from the list and start the process all over again from the top,’ said Rakesh.

‘Compare each one with the next. Do it even if you had chosen differently between the two the the first

time. Once you run through your entire list you will end up with your Passion number 2. Eliminate your

first two passions, and start at the top again and run through the list for your third passion. Be honest.

Go with your instinct and I promise you’ll be surprised at your top 5 passions.’

‘Yes bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘I never thought I’d choose ‘quality family time’ over ‘chilling with friends’ as

one of my top 5 passions when living my ideal life.’

‘See,’ said Rakesh. ‘Ok, now you have clarity on how your passionate life looks. Next, give attention to

your intentions to make them stronger. One idea is to make Passion Cards with your top 5 passions

written on it and stick them in places where you can see them through the day – your bathroom mirror,

your computer, fridge, car dashboard. They’ll remind you to live your ideal life, your passionate life. And

to do it without tension.’

‘But bhaiyya,’ asked Rahul. ‘What if I don’t get what I want? I’ll be tense right?’

‘Rahul ,’ said Rakesh. ‘Passions are not goals. Passions are about ‘How’ to live your life while Goals are

things you choose to create in your life. Passions are the process, the way you’ve chosen to live your life

while Goals are outcomes. Goals can stress you out, but living a passionate life makes life fun, fulfilling,

rewarding and exciting.’

‘This is amazing,’ said Rinku.’ I love my top 5 passions and the funda of– Intention, Attention and No

Tension – will help me live a passionate life. Thanks bhaiyya.’

Pro Tip: Take the Passion Test to see how you’d like to live your ideal life. Identify your top 5 passions

and use the mantra– Intention, Attention and No Tension - to enjoy living a passionate life. For more

info visit www.passiontest.com.