Let’s face it. Working at something you’re not passionate about is agonizing. Each moment you spend trudging through feels like you’re dragging a ball and chain. Most people abandon the pursuit out of self-preservation.

When you lack passion for something that you don’t enjoy, it’s not really so horrible. You can work around it. For example, I hate to do housework. I am more passionate about root canal than mopping floors. I dread it. But, I could hire a reliable maid to get that job done for me.

But what happens if you’re not passionate about what you love and feel called to do? What if you want to be a published author and you aren’t passionate about your writing? That’s a recipe for disaster.

Just like falling in and out of love, you can fall in and out of passion. It’s the passion that keeps the spark alive and the creative juices going. Without it, you’ll not want to sit down at the computer to write, and when you do, your words will be lackluster at best.

So what’s a writer to do? Ignite your passion. Give yourself the gift of passion. Not possible? Then why do you think we all packed into the gym on game day for a pep rally in high school? So we all could get passionate about the game.

Here’s why you should do the same thing:

Excitement for something creates positive emotional energy. The emotional protons create electricity that blasts through your thoughts, depositing “can do” beliefs throughout your mind. Your body automatically gears up to not only meet the challenge, but to win.

Passion builds confidence. Remember our gift from last week? Your passion in your writing gives yourself the gift of confidence. Merry Christmas!

Passion keeps you going. When you want to quit—umm, and we all do at times—passion will take you one more step. Then one more step. And another.

Passion attracts others. Don’t you really want to be around someone who really wholeheartedly loves what they do? Of course you do. If you are passionate about your writing or your story, others will want to be around you. They’ll want to purchase your book.

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is passion. It’s totally in your control to have passion. No assembly required. Just pull it right out of your gift box, plug and play! Give yourself the gift of passion today.

When was the last time you really got excited about the story you’re writing? Share it here!

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Reba J. Hoffman is a natural encourager and Member Care Coach at My Book Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is the founder of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She is the author of Dare to Dream, a Writer’s Journal published by My Book Therapy. She also publishes a motivational and encouraging blog, FindingTrue North. Contact Reba at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com.