WHAT'S YOUR CHOICE?

"We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause."

William James (1842-1910) American philosopher/psychologist.

While it is good to be passionate about something, be very careful when it comes to choosing what that will be for you.

There may be no do overs.

Passionate Turmoil

"Passions are the gales of life."

Alexander Pope

17/18th century English poet

Management talks of being "passionate" about what they do.

Wonderful, but in passion there is uncertainty and turmoil along with whatever good you expect.

Be prepared for all three.

The Passionate Choice

"Do what you love.  Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw at it still."

Henry David Thoreau

18th century American naturalist

Because doing what you don't love is difficult at best, if not impossible for long.

The Art of Business

"Art . . . the end result of perception, wisdom, intelligence, discipline, hard work, passion, luck, accident, and coincidence."

Unknown

Strike "art" and we're talking business even though the more analytical among you, MBA's in particular (chill, I'm one too), would likely say there is no connection between the two.

Ketchup And Other Passionate Stuff

"He only employs his passion who can make no use of his reason."

Marcus Tulius Cicero

1st century BC Roman writer/orator

Personally I think passion in business is a little overrated and certainly applied far too easily to way too many things.

"Passionate" about ketchup?

No doubt there is somewhere a ketchup brand manager who claims to be.

Joyless Passion

"The worst sin - perhaps the only sin passion can commit - is to be joyless."

Dorothy L. Sayers

20th century English author

Ever notice how many company vision statements include things like, "We are passionate about what the company does"? 

How many of those who do then appeared to you to actually be passionate?

Joyless passion?

Don't say it if you can't be it.

Passion: Ever Too Much?

"If passion drives you let reason hold the reins."

Benjamin Franklin

Many speak admiringly about those who are passionate about their beliefs.

But do you think Mr. Franklin is suggesting that unbridled passion is not enough, maybe even dangerous? That maybe too much passion blinds one to reality?

There is a fine line between "not letting anything stand in your way" and "not listening to reason."

How do you know where one ends and the other begins?