I know, if you have been reading my earlier posts, I just jumped three places from Element 4 to Element 8. I just got to thinking that being passionate about what you are working on and what you believe in is probably one of the most important elements for success in associations and beyond. I starting getting passionate about being passionate. The impact of passion is simple…I believe that you cannot possibly work as hard, put forth your best effort, go the extra mile, etc. for things you are not passionate about. This certainly applies to any association and its leaders and members.

Personally, I would like each of you to think about what you are passionate about personally and professionally and renew your commit to yourself and those things that you do in your life to be more passionate about each of them. Once you make that commitment to yourself, answer each of the following questions to become more passionate about everything you do:

(1) What are you passionate about?: Decide what you are passionate about and try to focus on doing those things. You will certainly be much more successful at what you are passionate about personally and professionally. Try to avoid commitments and tasks that you are not passionate about.
(2) How hard are you willing to work towards achieving what you are passionate about?: Once you are passionate about what you undertake, hard work should follow naturally (and not feel as much like hard work).
(3) What did you accomplish?: Passionate people are usually extremely goal-oriented about what they do. They do what they do to be the best and don’t quit until they are.
(4) What difference did your accomplishments make?: Not only are passionate people ultra goal-oriented, they do things for a purpose. They want to make a difference. It helps you to be passionate when you are doing something for special people or a special purpose.
(5) Did you take a balanced approach to your efforts?: Plenty of people are passionate about one thing…and that is commendable. Leaders are passionate about most everything they do. And they understand that striking a proper balance in their activities helps feed their passion. Another way to say this is to “work hard and play hard”.

Now, work to apply this kind of passionate thinking to your association(s). It is not enough for the board to care for your association to reach the next level. A group of general members must also strongly believe in the cause. The more general members you can convince to reach some level of commitment, the better your chances for long-term success. The key is to try and take each member to the next level of passion in their personal journey with your association. At the most basic level, they must have some inspiration about your organization to even pay their membership dues.

But next level associations go way past that point. They find ways to inspire each member to take a personal, passionate interest in the association. This kind of investment in your members takes a lot of effort, resources and time. They must ask themselves the questions listed above and make the same kind of commitments mentioned above. However, it is necessary and worth every second and/or penny invested.