Telling my story to Pursue the Passion

Thanks to an introduction from Matt Langdon's The Hero Workshop, in early August I met with Brett Farmiloe and Zach Hubbell from Pursue the Passion. Both recent college grads, Brett and Zach have been on the road for 100+ days interviewing people who are passionate about their careers.

In embarking on their very own hero's journey, Brett et al were intrigued by the following two data points: Half the American workforce is not satisfied with their job, and only one-fifth apply passion toward their career.

When Brett interviewed me, he did what any good interviewer does; he asked good questions, and seemed genuinely interested in my story. If you'd like to read the blurb, and take a peek at the video clip, here it is. Then I'd be interested in your thoughts on the following:

Did you notice how the hero's journey of a man, differs from that of a woman?

If you were to be interviewed for 10 minutes about your story, what would you say?

Isn't it interesting that even in the U.S., there is still so much discontent? We may be placated, even pampered, but if we're not dreaming....

For any of you that read Of Corvettes and Porsches, you'll find the juxtaposition of that entry with this interview odd. My hope is that you'll take courage in my self-contradiction, that even as I am daring you to dream, and most of the time I do a pretty good job of walking my talk, I have my moments.

P.S. Off camera, I was able to ask Brett and Zach about their dreams. Their moxie is impressive: a dream, and a few dollars, and they were off.

Comments

[Dana King]

My comments may be superficial and not adding to any deep exploration, but I just have to say I saw the video clip and I LOVE your jacket!

And it was so fun to see you in action in that interview. I mean to see you “animated” because in my mind I only see your photo, beautiful smile and face - but the photo is flat, one-dimensional. Ok, so here is what is weird: Your mannerisms are just how I imagined. That’s the “Whitney” in my head!

Remember, we have not done lunch yet. And we have never even met in person, but you have had a profound impact on my life.

Ok, before I get too deep, back to the superficial. I totally missed the contradiction. I even went back to read “corvettes and porches”. You like cars, you struggle to buy one, and you like your job and life. Where is the contradiction? I must not be thinking deep enough.

But this is what I know, among other things:

1) I am doing a lot of writing, because of you. You have given me platforms to explore my thoughts and hopefully teach and inspire others. I write in smaller paragraphs now because of you! And I like it.

2) You take the guilt out dreaming and having big ideas. I feel much saner because of the Dare to Dream community.

3)If I were interviewed by Brett and Zach I would say that I find strength in collaboration and I am learning more and more the value of that, and how to do it. I am most happy when I am working with others, when I find those win/ win situations - systergy? It's an art, not a science. And I would tell them that I find the pursuit of the dream far more fun than actually achieving it, though that is fun too...It's like what's next?

4) And I like the animated you even more than the one-dimensional you (referring, of course, to your photo).

I am proud to know you and because of that I will share this video clip with my friends and say, “I know her, she’s cool! We should all dare to dream!”

Oh, and please tell us more about Brett and Zach's story - what you learned off-camera.

Dana

[Brett Farmiloe]

Pretty cool comment.

[Whitney Johnson]

Dana --

First off, what I learned about Brett and Zach's story is something that they said in an e-mail earlier this week -- I've included the link here.

http://pursuethepassion.com/journey/2007/10/25/the-fork-in-the-road/

Secondly, the contradiction, is that at one moment I'm telling Brett and Zach, "don't be afraid", and yet my unwillingness to believe that I'm Rachel (as illustrated by the corvette/porsche story) is being afraid.

Third, thank you for your wonderfully encouraging words!

Whitney

[Anna]

Whitney,
There is lots of discontent in the U.S. particularly because of the nature of our economic system. Capitalism thrives on competition and competition in the traditional sense implies someone winning and others losing. We have taken that concept to our daily lives and have learned to be unsatisfied if we don't have what is perceived as a winning lifestyle. The winning lifestyle we pursue is usually dictated by others (media or peers) not by our identity and our own interests.
Pursue the Passion is a great effort to remind us all that it is possible to follow your dream. A book on the topic that I recommend is, What Should I Do with My Life, by Po Bronson.
Did you know that there is a Dream University? Check it out: http://www.dreamuniversity.com.