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This is a great story I read this week:

When the Alaskan Pipeline was being built, there were many Texans who went to Alaska and found work on the pipeline. The Texans could only work a few hours in the frigid weather, yet the Eskimos, the native Alaskans, could work indefinitely in the cold. They decided to do a study to find out why the Eskimos could withstand the weather. After much study they found that there were no physiological differences between the Eskimos and the Texans. There was nothing in skin thickness, blood, or any other thing physically that would explain the differences in the ability to withstand the temperatures. The solution came when they did a psychological study. The difference was the Eskimo said “he knew it was cold but there was a job to be done.” In other words, his focus was on the job and obtaining results rather than on the weather. The Texan focused on the weather and this kept him from focusing on the job at hand.

Here are some of my insights:

• What you focus on determines how you feel.
• When you’re mind gives out, your body follows.
• When you have a great WHY you can endure any HOW.
• The real work everyday is maintaining the right focus!

Passion becomes so powerful because it’s intrinsic.  It’s a self-authored motivation that drives your life.  Passion creates destination, because when your heart clearly decides where it wants to go, then your mind will begin to draw the map.  Everything starts with passion.  Here’s a quick checklist for for Passion Clarity™:

• How excited are you to get to work in the morning?
• How much do you enjoy what you do?
• Who are you at your best?
• Is the life I’m living worth what I am giving up to have it?

The issues in life aren’t really whether your life is providing you with some sense of meaning but are you using your life to express your deepest values and passion?  Do whatever it takes to get clarity!