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What is Your Personal Legend?
I was watching a web interview with Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary V. is the author of “CRUSH IT”, Why Now Is The Time To Cash In on Your Passion. I finished the end of the book and immediately started over on page 1. We live in an era of unmatched opportunity. Gary V. is an evangelist for being authentic, harnessing and monetizing your passion, and hustle. Not hustle in the terms of a scam artist, but hustle in the terms of working your butt off to accomplish what you were truly meant to do.
In this web interview with Gary V. was asked, “How do I find my passion?” He simply said “I have no idea.” It was evident by some of the questions popping up that people were looking for a step by step approach to accomplish their dreams. Gary V. does give some valuable tips on using the online tools available to us in “CRUSH IT.” But the real value comes from a shift in mindset. Gary V. has built of a $60 million dollar business by reinventing the long perceived path to success.
I don’t know what your personal legend is. Like Gary, I don’t know what to tell you if you are unclear on how to find your passion. In order to live your passion you need to know what it is. I do however, want to share with you some examples of people who have never grown up. In other words, they knew what their passion was from early on, and did not listen to the norm in society. As a result they’ve become massively successful. Before I do that I need to lay the foundation a little more.
So What Are You Meant To Do With Your Life?
I am someone that believes in CANI. Constant And Never-Ending Improvement. I have my times when I just need to shut my brain off with some mindless TV now and then, but in general, I’m constantly reading and listening to audio books. I hate to waste time. That’s just in my DNA, I guess.
The last few days, I’ve been listening to “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Do you ever have those times when an idea pops up out of thin air, or have you ever heard something that just makes so much sense? Something that puts everything in perspective? I picture it as a cartoon bubble above my head and the idea is posted in that cartoon bubble. It’s true. That’s how it happens for me. I know, “get the straight jacket out” right?
Ideas like this seem to pop out literally every other sentence in this book. I’m not kidding. I highly recommend “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. So what does that have to do with your own personal legend? Well…that is the central theme of this entire book.
The entire book revolves around a boy who doesn’t think like the rest of society. He is a shepherd and travels throughout the book with his sheep and meets various influential characters through his travels. He works hard, keeps his eye on his passion and purpose in life, has some success, has some failures, and in the end starts the process all over again. Does that sound familiar?
The boy encounters the King of Salem along his travels and asks the King with a skeptical tone, “Why would a King be talking to a shepherd.” The King replies…
"The Alchemist"
“For several reasons. Let’s say the most important is because you have succeeded in discovering your own personal legend…
It’s what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their personal legend is. At that point in their lives everything is clear, and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But as time passes a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their personal legend.”
Sometimes we get so engrained, entrenched, and beat down by life’s “education”, that we can’t even remember what our own personal legend is. Notice the King did not say “you’ve ATTAINED your own personal legend.” The King said, “…you have succeeded in DISCOVERING your own personal legend.” This brings up another valuable lesson from the book. When you want something and you have clarity on what it is you want, the whole universe conspires to make it happen.
Throughout your journey of finding and living your passion, that picture will more than likely evolve. It might not even look like it did when you envisioned it from the beginning. That is because along your path you get some knowledge, some skills and you are growing. Living your passion along this path, more often than not, brings about a life that is way beyond what you could possibly dream of.
I wanted to share some examples of people who are living their passions. They have found and lived their own personal legends. Hopefully this sparks some ideas of finding your own personal legend.
Who says there is no value in TV?
I mentioned I sometimes enjoy some mindless television every now and then. Most successful people I know recommend shutting the TV off and getting to work. Great advice, but I’ve managed to learn and grow even by watching TV. I just realized as I’m writing this that the shows I like to watch have everything to do with people following their passions.
From Dana Whites “Ultimate Fighter” to “Project Runway.” Yes I am a closet “Project Runway” fan. Even though I have no clue about fashion, and it really doesn’t interest me, I still find myself watching it from time to time. I think the reason I like the show is because it is a niche that normally one wouldn’t go in and they are extremely passionate about their craft. A little drama now and then spices up the show.
Dana White
Let’s talk about Dana White. Dana White took cage fighting from a sport that was facing extinction to a hugely successful endeavor. He was a fighter himself, but more importantly a shrewd business man.
The problem with cage fighting was it was viewed as “human cock fighting.” It was brutal. They did not wear protective gloves and the rules…well there were pretty much no rules. Anything goes, and it was not really a main stream professional sport until Dana White took it over. Not that there weren’t some great athletes, but it was more like a tough man contest.
Dana implemented a few rules, separated the fighters into weight classes, and was able to attract athletes like, Olympic and college wrestlers, Brazilian Ju Jitszu black belts, kick boxers, you name it. If you have ever watched “The Ultimate Fighter” the contestants, know what their own personal legend is. They are given a forum to achieve and peruse their own passion and personal legend. I believe that is why Dana White has been so massively successful.
Lessons from Rob Dyrdek. You don’t have to please everyone. I haven’t watched MTV since the 80’s. There a few shows on MTV that are absolutely incredible. One of them is Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory and the other is “The Buried Life”. Again two great examples of following your passions and living your own personal legend.
Rob Dyrdek
Rob Dyrdek was a professional skateboarder for 20 years. He is also a very shrewed businessman. If you ever watch this show you might wonder at first why I recommend it. The guy is a goof ball. He is also very committed to the “Go-Giver” philosophy. He gives back to the teenage community by providing safe access to various skate parks.
If Rob isn’t having fun he isn’t doing it. Every episode is a new adventure of fun. The guy is a thirty something kid. He never lost site of what his personal legend was. Everything in the Fantasy Factory revolves around fun, fun, fun. Just to give you an example…He has a launch ramp for basketball. He has a basketball hoop about 30-40 feet in the air. Everyone is able to take their skate boards, bikes, or whatever you can imagine and launch off this huge ramp. The landing area is filled with foam for a safe landing. Who thinks of that? I will tell you. Someone that has followed their own personal legend and does not think in terms of limitations. Check it out, it’s hilarious.
The Buried Life: Wow these guys took it to a whole new level! I’m going to just let you watch the trailer.
See what I mean? This concept has opened up my vision for the possibilities for my own personal legend.
Extreme Make-Over Home edition
Extreme Makeover - Home Edition
“It’s about the joy of doing things for others. Extreme Makeover is about family, about America, and about these random acts of kindness that can restore your faith in people.”– Ty Pennington
Wow! I get teared up every time I watch this show. What a cool job these guys have. They are able to get sponsorships and really make an impact on people’s lives, by building them incredible houses that meet the needs of the specific challenges these families face. The candidates for this show have one thing in common. They are all good people who have had some serious challenges in their lives. You have to see it for yourself to understand the power of this show. Talk about living your passion and being a “Go-Giver.”
As I’m writing this on my 13″ MacBook Pro, I want to thank Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates for following their own personal legends. Think about the tremendous value that both of these men have brought to the entire world. Even though their approach to the personal computer world is completely different, they have several similarities. Not only are they both avid philanthropists, but they were both born in 1955 and they both are college dropouts.
They both followed their passions, and so doing created an environment where people like you and me can have a louder megaphone than ever before in history.
Again, it all comes down to figuring out what your “personal legend is.” It took me 38 years to figure this out. I did things all backwards. I picked jobs that would make me a ton of money, so I could enjoy my passions. Now I know that I can live my passion and make a great living doing it. The tools of the internet allow us to have a huge voice in this world. But is anybody listening? I am convinced that if you are living your personal legend, people listen. You just have to get the knowledge and skills to be able to voice your passion so people will listen.
Free Video Reveals The Exact Formula to
Michael Feil (12)
Eric Goldstein (9)
Kary Rogney (8)
Yannick van den Bos (8)
Jon Alfredsson (7)
Melissa Wright (7)
Donny Gamble (5)
jean (5)
Jose H. Caraballo (5)
Ken Pickard (5)
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey this is pretty intense, Nick. What a lot to think about! I think my legend may be that I do my very best to bring my God-given talents to the table… but I know my limits. When it comes to actually accomplishing something with them, I leave it up to HIM. That’s the only time things really come together. But then, they really DO come together… Just doing my VERY VERY BEST, and offering as thanks for all I’ve been given… I guess that’s my passion. Thanks for lending me the mirror, Nick.
David Merrill´s last blog ..From The Ground Up: The Foundation of Your Online Marketing Business – Part ONE
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Nick Logan Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am
You bet David. You said it. You have to have gratitude along your journey and patience knowing that you are doing everything from the heart…It all works out with the marathon approach…but as you said…”enjoy the journey”
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Great post Nick!
It really is about discovering your passion,
what you love to do… and then doing it!
And most of the time the ‘go-giver’ mindset
is involved when someone lives from there passion.
Thanks for the share buddy!
Eric Goldstein´s last blog ..Is Your Workspace Comfortable? If Not, WHY?
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Nick Logan Reply:
February 16th, 2010 at 10:43 am
I’m learning quite a bit from you as well. You have the heart of a true GIVER…
Thanks Eric…Great presentation on “living your passion”
congratulations
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hi Nick,
I have just finished reading Crush it,
and also watched his interview. I really recommend everyone reads it
he is so down to earth and is very natural when he talks.
it is definitely about doing what you are passionate about
and what you are loving to do.
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Hey Nick,
Going out and getting a copy of Crush it. I really feel one of the main keys to a happy life is to doing activities that you have passion about.
Thanks again for a great post
Christopher Van Buren´s last blog ..6 Mistakes To Avoid As A Home Based Business Owner
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Hey Nick! I love the feeling that I have right now from reading this post. This post has definitely touched me. I am blown away by those 4 guys from the show “The Buried Life”! I had not heard of that show before, but it looks like a great show. I am like you, I occasionally like to watch shows that inspire me to achieve my goals and to make a difference in the world. Extreme Home Makeover is another great show.
Here’s to acquiring the skills and knowledge so that we can voice our passion as effectively as possible! I am so glad to be learning from you! You continue to inspire me with each post I read!
Melissa Wright´s last blog ..You’ve Been Laid Off…Now What?
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I am with you all the way Nick, we get too “tuned out” to our inner voice as we get either older or just more boggled down by life. Always a pleasure coming over here.
Now if we can talk about the the whole Project Runway thing…
Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..The Biggest Problem Credit Counseling Agencies (Part 1)
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HI Nick,
This is an absolutely awsome post! All my life as I was growing up I always wanted to go against the grain. I always saw the bigger picture but like many kids, there isn’t much you can do about it when you live in a society governed by rules, by societal norms and by educational establishments and mass media that feeds us day in day out.
I always felt that I was the one in the wrong, i never got why you had to do Math and Science when what I really wanted to do was be creative and see the world, I never understood why anyone would want to work in the same office for 30 years only to retire and wonder if thats IT!
A few years ago I realised that non of this was my fault that and that anything was possible and that as long as I was comfortable being me and being passionate about the things that I like then there really wasnt anything wrong with that.
The video trailer you showed on the Buried Life looks absolutely fantastic, I wish it was shown here in the UK. What an inspirational journey those guys took. I really love the go-giver philosophy.
Thanks for this post, it really hit home with me.
Yours In Self Discovery,
Beth Hewitt
Beth Hewitt´s last blog ..Beginners Guide to Blogging
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Very inspirational Nick. When people follow their passions, they not only find success and happiness personally, but they can change the world. That’s a powerful thought…if more people did what they loved instead of doing what they think they “have to” do or what others have told them they “need to do”, then what kind of an awesome world would we be living in. Wow! Life is an amazing gift…when we live it to the fullest, we can make an impact that is far-reaching. Awesome stuff!
Krista Abbott´s last blog ..Managing Your Twitter Following
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I think it is great that you recognize, when we are a child, everything is clear and somehow we lose it. Be different from the norm and go for it (even through fear) will get you places no one else can reach. Keep climbing!
Emmie
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Out of all the things I’ve read about living your dreams, this one covers it from all angles. I’m more motivated than ever to share my personal legend with the world!
Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..Intuition and Computer Bags
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