I'm sure many of us have been very reflective this week, thinking about our personal and professional passion and purpose. I had a conversation with Heather about the Golden Circle, which helps us define (and center on) our why. Then I realized that the 7 Mindsets for October is Passion First. As I started googling passion and purpose, I came across this article (which, Heather, references Jay Shetty and his Golden Circle!). So I decided to share my learning for anyone else that has an interest!
In our SEL Curriculum, 7 Mindsets defines passion as a strong inclination toward a self-defining activity that people like (or even love), find important, and in which they invest time and energy on a regular basis. In the Passion First mindset, students build an understanding of their unique gifts, their skills and strengths, and how to share them with the world to maximum extent possible. They explore their interests, and will begin to identify their core values and what they stand for.
I've highlighted a few things below from an article, Passion vs. Purpose: What's the Difference, and Why Does it Matter? I hope this helps build your understanding of passion, purpose, and what this means to you and your students.
Passion vs. Purpose
Most people see passion and purpose like two peas in a pod. So much so that they're often reffereed to interchangeably. But here's an idea - passion and purpose are more like PB&J. They're individually so different from one another (not to mention, powerfully tasty on their own), yet combining the two makes magic! To help fulfill both passion and purpose, it's important to first differentiate between the two, so you can more easily identify them in your experiences. Here are four ways to look at passion vs. purpose:
#1. Passion is for you and purpose is for others
A clear distinction between passion and purpose is the inward vs. outward outlook, where passion is what the world gives you, and purpose is what you give to the world. Passion is the world's gift to you, and purpose is your gift to the world.
#2. Passion is about emotions, while purpose is the reason behind your emotions
Another take on passion vs. purpose is based on emotions. While passion is something that excites you and lights a fire of emotions inside of you, purpose is the driving reason behind emotions.
#3. Passion is your "what" and purpose is your "why"
Your passion is something that can be developed, explored and grown into. It's a flexible skill and interest that changes and develops the more you work with it. Purpose is the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. Simon Sinek's work with his Golden Circle puts the why at the center of everything you do!
#4. Passions are multiple and purpose is singular
Your passions are things that bring you joy, and you can develop a deep interest and passion for several actibvities and topics. Purpose can be viewed as the reason you were put on this earth. The way you go about your why may develop, but the actual "why" remains singular and unwavering.
Your passion is for you and your purpose is for others. When you use your passion in the service of others, it becomes your purpose.
-Jay Shetty
For many of us, education can be our passion and our purpose. Maybe it's something else, outside of school. What’s most important is to pay attention to whether something naturally energizes or depletes you. There’s an important underlying spark of energy that a true passion provides. We would even go as far as saying “passion = energy”, so follow that energy. It’s a reliable clue that you’re headed in the right direction!!
