“I want to talk about PP. Patience and Passion…” This is how Gary Vaynerchuk opened his keynote speech at the Web 2.0 Conference. Which is the first time I saw Gary outside of a few “Wine Library” videos. Patience is easy. Passion, on the other hand, is where you will find yourself struggle.
Over the last 14 years I have engulfed in a major personal development & entrepreneurial journey. I have read and/or listened to hundreds of books and watched or listened to even more keynotes/speeches. From Jim Rohn CD’s to Tony Robbins Trainings, recently having the privilege of sharing the stage with Alan Bracken, and much more. I’ve been able to learn from some of the Greatest minds alive.
The number one thing that I’ve seen in my personal study of these elite minded individuals is a true passion about something. Up until recently I thought I could’ve told you what my “true passion” was. But, after a lot of personal discovery & deep conversations with some very close friends, I’ve learned that I still have yet to find my true passion.
I can name so many things that could be my passion. I mean, I have a passion for them, same thing right? Well, not even close, or at least that is what I’m beginning to strongly believe.
So, I’ve decided to venture out and ask myself a very strong question…
How do I find my passion?
I don’t believe there is a one size fits all answer. So, what I’m going to do is share with you what my plan is to find what my #1 true passion is.
After a few weeks of intense deep thought and redirecting my mind to focus on things bigger than me and my immediate surroundings, I have found that I have a short list of things I’m very passionate for. So I decided I’m going to challenge myself to step into each thing and reach for a goal. Below you will see my “Passion Bucket List”.
My plan is to work on completing each of these tasks/goals within the short future. As you will see, the list is long, so you may not see a lot of this coming out fast but you will see some stuff coming very soon.
Helping Small Businesses Succeed Online
If you have known me or even talked to me for a short amount of time in the last 8 years or so, you will know that I’ve been working around the clock to help some of the worlds best clients, get up and running online. I started doing this because I honestly got tired of seeing small businesses get charged $10k – $50k for basic websites that could be made in an afternoon. I found that I loved getting clients the results but I was stretching myself extremely thin.
I’ve been blessed to help businesses & professionals all over the United States and across the globe grow their online business. But as a one man show I’ve never been able to scale big enough where I was able to stop the over-charging, over-promising & under-delivering.
So as a solution I started the Small Biz Academy & launched a suite of tools & resources to go along with it. Basically put, the Small Biz Academy is a newer project where I plan to teach what I’ve learned helping people market themselves and their businesses online. From website design to social media and so much more.
I am very passionate about this for a few different reasons. The first is the fact that it has fed me and kept me from flipping burgers for almost the last decade. The second is because I know the work I’m doing is helping someone else put food on their plate. AND THAT, is something that hits my heart like a sledgehammer.
Passion Goal: Create A-Z Guide for business owners to walk them through marketing their business without getting charged an arm, leg & their first born.
Music
This is a BIGGIE!!! I’ve loved music as far back as I can remember. It’s been a part of my family for decades. My Great Grandfather Dick recorded full albums. My Grandpa Bill performed music all the way up until he passed away. My Father has played all his life. While they all performed a mixture between country and blue-grass I’ve been attracted towards hip hop most of my life.
I remember in 4th grade I sat down with a friend ,Eric. He had just got the Lethal Injection album by Ice Cube. I remember it like yesterday. Bop Gun (One Nation) was on and Eric looked at me and said “We should do this.”
That day I wrote my first set of lyrics. I had no idea how to measure bars or even what they were. I didn’t know the structures between verses, bridges & hooks(chorus). But, the love stayed. I continued to write and had my first performance as a senior in high school when I rewrote Beowolf into a rap & performed it in front of my class for extra credit.
I started my first record label with my partner in crime, “Hawk Dawg”. After a few weeks of deliberating we landed on a name, “Platinumb Out Da Trunk” AKA P.O.D.T. Records.
Over the next few years I recorded over 300 songs and loved every minute of it.
So, you see where my passion for this is strong. Seriously, I have a tattoo of Tupac, Aaliyah & Left Eye. That’s Passion.
Passion Goal: Get in the Studio. Create a full album and see what people think about it now. (This will be fun)
Food (and cooking it too…)
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a chef. I watched Emril and tried to recreate the meals for my family when I was in 6th grade. I cooked as much if not more than most adults do now. A secret some of you may not know, I went to school to be a cook for the US Navy.
I love cooking and having different types of food without spending a fortune. This is something I can talk about for a very long time. I can spit recipes out of my head at any time. Only have $30 and a family of 6? I love coming up with those recipes that feeds a lot for a little. My wife and I will have game nights with friends from time to time and cook for up to 8 people yet most of the time the cost for those meals is usually under $30.
Passion Goal: Write a CookBook!!! (with pictures) The wife is going to love this project!!!
Life Experiences
Passion Goal: Write an Autobiography/Memoir (The Journey to Stay Boosted)
While my life may seem very basic, after a lot of thought, I’ve decided to share my life. From being stupid and getting busted smoking cigarettes on school property (on my 18th birthday). The most embarrassing moment in my life(possibly in the history of US Navy), my most depressing moments and so much more!
This is going to be very difficult for me as I go through the process of writing this so keep in mind it may be a while before this is ready for me to release.
Imagination & Creativity
This is BIG for me! Aside from music there are a few things I want to do just as Bucket List items…
Passion Goal: Make a Movie (More details coming later this year)
Passion Goal: Write a Fictional Book (I have 2 separate book ideas I’ve been playing with for years) This may be a few different books. Get an idea for the first book here.
What Else?
Well, to be honest, This is going to be an evolving list. Feel free to ask any questions about these. If you think there is something I’d find a great passion for please let me know.
My intent is to do a few different things.
- Find My Passion
- Study The Lifestyles of those who are living their passion & document results.
- Be Great & Stay Boosted!
I’ll be adding to this over time but wanted to put this out there!
Talk Soon,
CJ Hallock
