Norton: Reflections of passion
Have you ever found yourself searching for that spark, the passion that once fueled your daily efforts? At some point, we may all realize that our zeal has faded, whether it’s in personal pursuits, professional goals, continuous learning, or relationships.
Sometimes, if we’re fortunate enough to recognize it early, we can quickly find ways to reignite our energy and get back on track. But suppose we allow ourselves to drift too long. In that case, the flame of passion can begin to dim, eventually snuffing out completely, leaving only a faint whisper of smoke that vanishes into nothingness.
Recently, I spoke with a few leaders, and our conversation turned to the relentless pace of technological change. They shared how, just as they and their teams had become comfortable with a new system, their company would invest in the next big technology.
The cycle of learning, leading and implementing would begin all over again. This pattern has been repeating itself for the past few years, an ongoing wave of advancements crashing ashore, only to be followed by another, bigger, faster, more powerful wave right behind it. Wave after wave, pounding us before we can even catch our breath, leaving us worn out from the constant effort to keep up.
They called it initiative fatigue, a state that erodes passion for a business and an industry they once loved. That’s the challenge we all face: How do we navigate this constant change without allowing our passion to burn out?
Support Local Journalism
Some of you may remember the musician Yanni. Others may not, but you can always explore his music. As I was writing this column, his song, “Reflections of Passion,” played in the background, bringing back memories of my past excitement. I found myself reflecting on moments filled with purpose and passion: the nervous anticipation of taking on a new role, the thrill of setting ambitious goals, the courage of asking for that first kiss, and yes, even the enthusiasm for the newest technology promising to make me more effective and efficient at work. These memories flooded back, rekindling the ambition and joy that once drove me.
Looking back, even the clumsy technologies of the past, made clumsier by my own mistakes, seem almost quaint compared to today’s sophisticated innovations. Despite all the advancements, one truth remains: Artificial intelligence may be getting better, faster and more intelligent, but it still lacks one crucial element: feeling. The human experience of passion, purpose and the exhilaration of pursuing a dream cannot be replicated by algorithms or automation.
This was especially evident during the recent Sandler Summit in Orlando, Florida, which I had the privilege of attending last week. Over a thousand people gathered, most in person, some virtually, to engage with speakers who delivered fresh, thought-provoking insights. It would take too long to mention everyone, but a few truly captured the balance of AI, technology, and human emotion: Dave Mattson, Krish Dhanam, Jody Williamson, John Rosso, Jordan Ledwein, Troy Kanter, Mike Crandall, Carlos Garrido, and many others. They reminded us not only of what we do and how we do it but, most importantly, why we do it: passion and purpose.
Reflecting on those moments, I find myself even more inspired by what lies ahead. Will it bring change? Absolutely. Will it be challenging? Most likely. Will the changes keep coming? Guaranteed. But we have the power to leverage change, innovation and transformation as the spark that reignites our passion and purpose. Personally, professionally, romantically, mentally, physically and spiritually, we can choose to use these changes to fuel our next adventure.
As I wrap up this reflection, I encourage you to listen to another Yanni song: “Dare to Dream.” Let his music and the words in the song’s title inspire you to embrace your passions and pursue your biggest dreams. I would love to hear your stories of passion and purpose at gotonorton@gmail.com. And as we continue to ride the wave of technological change, let’s keep our spark alive, our passion strong, and embrace a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
