Why This Trait is More Important than Passion

Do you consider yourself to be passionate about your creative pursuits?

We hear a lot about passion: both online and off. Whether it's someone who's had a great deal of success or the latest business book, most leaders in any field state the necessity of being passionate.

But does passion really move one to the place they want to go?

The dictionary definition of passion means: to love something/ believe in it so much they would sacrifice greatly for it.

But many people associate passion with intense emotional feelings, not personal sacrifice.

I've learned that intense emotional feelings do not add up to much.

As un-glamorous as it is, there is another "P" word that is the difference maker in the life of the artpreneur: Patience.

In my opinion, passion gets a little bit too much press.  Don't get me wrong, passion is essential, especially when one things about doing something over the scope of a lifetime. Ardently feeling and believing and loving something so much you would sacrifice for it is important if one wants to take their business, especially their art to the next level.

But without the steady hand and mindset of patience, passion might not take the creative very far.

Here are a few of the things I've been jotting down about patience over the last two weeks.

Please add in your own in the comments section.  (Or, if you think I'm giving passion a bad rap, let me know that too!)

• Patience sees the benefits of long term goals.
• Patience moves me past the doubts of insecurity.
• Patience recognizes the fight for the right battles is won over the long haul.
• Patience keeps learning when insecurities whisper for me to give up.
• Patience understands a long obedience in the same direction.
• Patience tempers the impulsiveness of passion.
• Patience knows that a bad day (or week) doesn't hurt in the long run. It sees beyond particular day and focuses on habits.
• Patience doesn't get hung up on bad days because she knows it's the body of work, not individual days, that creates a life.
• Patience knows that the daily habits and disiciplines of work count; that is what creates the body.
• Patience allows for times of rest because we weren't made to go 24/7.
• Without patience, passion falls flat. Patience is the oil in the engine; it helps keep the car going and going.
• Patience energizes passion.
• Patience gives credibility to passions.
• Patience keeps passion on course.
• Patience brings you from the art in your mind to the art you create in reality.
• Patience keeps you focused on your passion...and not the newest, latest, greatest idea.
• Patience helps keep our passion focused.
• Patience reminds us that our passions are worth long time vision and goals.

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