Early in 2001, I was blessed to have my career fall apart. Strange to call it a blessing, I know, but that's what it was.
Up to that point I had been a self-employed marketing consultant, focused on technology companies. I was also deeply unhappy with my career path, and had been for years. When the dot com implosion hit the fan, I was suddenly a self-unemployed marketing consultant with no revenue prospects on the horizon and no safety net.
I say I was blessed because, while it was a scary and challenging time, it would also change my life in an immensely positive and meaningful way. The freefall I was in ultimately led to the Passion Catalyst work I'm doing now - helping people answer three simple questions:
- What lights me up?
- What difference do I feel called to make?
- How do I weave that into a career (and a life) that lets me thrive?
Ten years ago yesterday, I had my very first Passion Catalyst session with someone who agreed to be my "guinea pig" client. (More about how I discovered my Passion Catalyst work.)
[Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for links to "lessons learned as a Passion Catalyst.]
I knew that people frequently came out of conversations with me on fire about new ideas and new possibilities. It was something that happened naturally. What I didn't know was whether or not I could reliably replicate that on demand.
It wasn't long into that first session when I thought, "I don't need a guinea pig. This is what I do. This is who I am." Clearly this was a glove tailor-made for my hand. It felt free, and natural, and <gasp> energizing! It was such a change from my days as a "professional malcontent," trying to shove myself into the marketing suit that just didn't fit.
The best of times
Much of the journey so far has been fantastic, for sure. Sometimes I have been amazed at the opportunities that have manifested for me. I've had many fabulous experiences and met many stellar people who inspire me to no end. I wrote for a national magazine for several years. I have had the opportunity to interview many people I consider heroes and role models. And I have had the opportunity to wake up in the morning and say, "Wow! I get paid for this!"
Beyond the things I get to do - and possibly even more important and more inspiring for me - is the positive impact I get to have on the people I work with. Whether that is seeing a client start to feel more energized about life or simply hearing from somebody who attended a talk or a workshop who tells me that something I said really made a difference, that's where the big juice comes from for me.
The worst of times
I would love to say that it has all been smooth sailing since I discovered this path. I would love to sit here and tell you that finding my passion was all it took, and that the rest came as though by magic. But that would be a lie.
In addition to the good times I described above, there have been times when I felt so bruised and bloodied from banging my head against the wall of trying to create a non-cookie-cutter path that I have literally given up and decided to throw in the towel.
That happened to me three times over the last ten years. Thankfully it has never lasted more than a couple of days (two of those times it was less than a day).
The last time it happened I reached out to my friend Cyn Liggett and told her I had hit bottom. I was throwing in the towel. She said, "Curt, you can't stop being you." Wise words. Shortly after that, business started to turn around. And I'm still here.
Inspiration and meaning
If my work were only about doing something I really enjoy, I would have left it behind long, long ago. I would have hit the wall of those challenging times and said, "Forget it. The fun isn't worth this pain." But the deeper driving force of my work is the difference I have the potential to make.
When the financial crash hit in 2008 and my business evaporated, I found myself at one of those three points where I tried to throw in the towel.
It was a morning in December. None of my efforts were yielding any fruit. I can only assume that people were too worried about survival to think about self-actualization. I was broke and saw no hint of things getting better. I threw my arms up and said, "I give up."
That lasted till mid-afternoon. Then along came the Universe, grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, and said, "Sorry pal. This is too important to give up on. This is too needed for you to stop because you're uncomfortable." I thought, "Crap! Now what?"
Ultimately it did turn around several months later. But the point of the story is that, had it only been for the fun of it, had there not been a deeper component focused on making the world a better place, I wouldn't be here doing this today.
I have had glorious times and wretched times, and all points in between. But the one thing I know is that I continue to feel so inspired by the difference I have the potential to make with this work that I can't stop. It's where I'm supposed to be.
Thank you!
I am incredibly grateful for the support I have gotten over the years, without which there is no way I would have made it this far.
So thank you to all of you who have supported me along the way. Thank you to my fabulous clients who have trusted me as they work to find a path that lets them flow in their groove. Thank you to friends and family who have supported me both emotionally and financially when things have gotten rocky. And thank you to all of you who have come along for the ride, reading my blog and sharing my thoughts and ideas.
Lessons learned as a Passion Catalyst
Finally, here is a series of posts I wrote last year offering some lessons I've learned along the way.
Most people's concept of passion is limiting
Authenticity creates confidence
Meaning is a powerful motivator
You are your own best expert
Success is not a solo sport
Tinybox thinking limits your potential
Start with yes
Love yourself
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by Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst
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