The Diminishing Return of Passion

I have a friend that can become very passionate about things he believes in. This is a strength, but it brings with it a corresponding weakness. 

The strength is obvious: Passion inspires progress and attracts others to the cause. 

The weakness comes later: When you take the passion too far and burn bridges. 

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. John 18:10

Peter was just standing up for his guy. But Jesus showed that his plan was to surrender and accept the path. Peter’s passion boiled over and through his sword. 

Jesus picked the up ear and healed the guy, which is cool. But Peter illustrates the diminishing return of passion. 

Diminishing return of passion: When you let your passion goo too far and it turns people off instead of drawing people in. 

Cultivate passion. We all need it. Just keep your eye on it and make sure you’re using passion to inspire and not irritate (or worse).