Once I heard a quote something like this, “if you don’t really know where you want to go, it makes no difference which road you take.” Do you feel like that is a true statement? How many of us are walking down roads that lead to nowhere, only because we don’t know what else to do? How many of us have a feeling our lives could be happier and more prosperous, but we don’t know what we need to change?
For example, let’s take your profession. Why did you choose to become a skin care professional? Is it because you are passionate about this industry? Most often the answer I hear to this question is something like, “I love helping others feel beautiful.” If that is what led you to this industry, is it your reality or do you come home each day tired and bored from work?
Many people get a job only to pay bills; not to enjoy life and fill it with passion. Do you lack passion in your job and in your life? I believe passion is what helps you succeed in life. No amount of time management skills, productivity tips or tricks, training, or goal setting know-how will replace this one critical ingredient: passion.
Robert Allen recently wrote a book that has a very meaningful story in it about financial goals. He wrote that he always believed having goals worked, until a few incidents happened to make him realize there are other options. In the first event, he was teaching on the power of goal setting. He writes that a confused woman approaches him after his lecture. She tries to explain to him that she loves her job so much that she doesn’t want to go to sleep at night, but had never written a financial goal in her life. She wanted to know what she was doing wrong. He was stumped and didn’t know what to say. He brushed her off with a quick comment and thought nothing else of the occurrence. Around that time, his friend came to him to talk. He wanted to liquidate his business and concentrate on painting. Robert tried to talk him out of it, telling him that if he just stuck with his job for five more years, he could make enough money to support himself for the rest of his life – leaving him free to paint. But the friend said no; he didn’t love his job – he loved to paint. Robert was convinced his friend would become a poor artist, but some time later found out he was doing very well for himself. Then Robert goes on to write about reading an article on Donald Trump’s typical day at the office. He explains that Donald only does whatever he feels like doing that day… Not written goals. No specific agenda. He only follows his passion.
But he was watching a PGA tournament on T.V. when all of these seemingly unrelated incidents united into an epiphany. As interviewers asked golfers why they golfed, he suddenly knew why they were so successful: The men answered, “I love the game of golf.” “I love the competition.” “I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world. There are very few of us who get to do what we love and make a lot of money doing it.” And that’s it! These men don’t play for the money. They play for their passion of the sport. Robert says, “When you’re doing what you love to do, the money comes naturally. Maybe not at first, but eventually – if you stick with it.”
If you have read any of my Dear Readers this past year, then you know I have more than one passion in life. Lately, I have been pulled toward these dreams more and more. So, when I read this story it was like a feather tipping the scale. It helped me realize I don’t want to play my life safe and look back 20 years from now only to ask, “what if?” Therefore, with the love and support of my family and friends, I have decided to step down from my position as editor and jump headlong into the deep end and follow my dream. I have been with DERMASCOPE my entire life, and it has made me who I am today, for which I am thankful. I have absolutely loved being the editor for the past three years and have learned so much about myself here. This was not an easy decision, but I know sometimes one must take the road less traveled to find happiness and success. So I want to ask you, are you playing your life safe or are you living your dream?
Amanda
Editor
