I recently led a workshop where I asked everyone in the room: "what is your big-picture dream." As people started to respond, I noticed their energy was painfully low. They almost seemed bored sharing what their “passion” was. In fact, their answers were the complete opposite of passionate.
So, I decided to pry into one of the attendees. I asked her: “What would you do if you had no limits, no boundaries, and money and lifestyle wasn’t a factor.“
She whispered: “I would sing. I’ve always wanted to be a performer."
And there it is folks. Deep down inside we often have a burning desire to do something that might be radically different than our current profession.
Personally, I spent years hiding and squashing my dream of being an actress. I thought that my clients wouldn’t take me seriously if I had another passion. I thought it was too late to try to crack into that world. I would brush off any jobs I got as a "hobby" and "no big deal." But it was a big deal, and it felt like I was hiding a shameful secret from the world.
Then I decided to test something. I started to post information about my “side gig” acting and modeling jobs to my PR clients. I talked about lessons I learned from my acting coach and how you can apply them to your business. I also noticed that one of my favorite mentors Marie Forleo does this brilliantly. She also talks about combining your many passions HERE – in a much more prolific way than I could.
And, lo and behold, business for me is booming while I still have the opportunity to pursue something I love.
So today I challenge you to dig deep inside and admit that burning passion (or passions) you’ve always had but maybe were too scared to admit. Then I want you to post a comment below about this hidden dream.
Claim it, own it, rock it out.
Oh, and here's me (on the left and the bottom right) in a poster for an independent film I'm shooting 
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Cassera,
I'm so glad that you are embracing your career as an actress while still excelling at your profession! I can totally relate to the conflicting desires because I used to think that anything other than work was not worth pursuing. Boy was I wrong! I have come a long way.
Wishing you continued success and hoping that we may work together soon!
Best,
Catherine
Holistic Health Coach
http://www.catherinechenwellness.com
First, I want to say congrats on your independent film!! How awesome is that?!?! I'm passionate about baking and entertaining. If I could bake all day I would, but alas I work a full-time job.
I also love to entertain, but never do. LOL! And I have a crazy love for pretty paper products so I dream of having a stationery business too. I know too much. I'm also passionate about encouraging women to pursue their dreams and could see myself as a motivational speaker, but I think it's kind of woo-woo so I keep that one the back burner. 
That's good insight. I've definitely been guilty of explaining my dreams with no passion. I think it's because we're almost ashamed of them. I'm in LA, trying to be a writer/ filmmaker along with 10 million other people. So for me to tell people what I want to do is almost cliche.
However, I've been convicted recently when I noticed that I am always impressed by people of great passion, but lack that same passion myself. I love music where you can feel that the artist genuinely feels what he or she is playing. I even meet very strange people (especially in LA), but if they are characters of passion, I still remain impressed, despite their oddities.
Anyway, good post and relevant observation. If we're not passionate people, then what's the point?
Congratulations on fulfilling your passion! I'm fortunate that I'm passionate about my business but I also LOVE interior design and traveling. I quench my decorating desire in my office and in friends' homes (plus my own as much as my fiance can stand). Traveling is more difficult with owning my own business but we take road trips and, one day, when I've sold my business and I'm a gazillionaire
I will travel the world!
Wow Melissa! Congrats on your independent film! You'll have to let us all know when it comes out.
As for me, I recently got in touch with the fact that what I really want to be doing is — writing my book. I was so excited when I got that clarity. Plus, it's really helping me focus as I make plans for my business and my life!
So, thanks again for sharing your journey with us! You are an inspiration!
Vondie
Hi there, Melissa!
First of all; LUV your name, I named one of my daughter's Melissa! Second, Congratulations on your film, let us know when it comes out.
I'm a Venezuelan living in Puerto Rico. I've been reading your post for a few weeks, I basically just found you through Marie Forleo. I'm sticking around because I love your content and your personality.
I thought I was the only person with "lots of eggs in different baskets". What a relief! I too have many passions, I'm a mother, I love to paint, I love to cook, I love crafts, I love to cook and bake (specially for others), I teach Nail Art and Nail Technicians, and the list goes on. Lately I have been focusing on my business based on educating aspiring Nail Technicians and helping stay at home women whom love to do their nails.
I recently turned Vegan, woot woot! For many reasons and I must say, I FEEL GREAT! I have been changing my recipes to make them more Veganized. I'm currently working out details to open my own Vegan Restaurant in town.
Thank you Melissa, for sharing your thoughts and accomplishments!
To all you women whom left a post; You woman are very talented and inspiring. You all have the power to do what you want to do!
Many blessings and have a great day, Jennifer
My hidden passion is teaching and planning. For years, I hid that I was a really good teacher and resourceful person in the education world. I also secretly love planning events for kids as well. I am hoping that my next venture will be a true reflection of what I do. Thanks Meslissa for your timely blog post as always.
For many years I was a professional trumpeter in the Boston area. Also taught at a couple of colleges, Brown University and Berklee College of Music. Unbeknownst to my collegues I began killing people.
Fictionally, of course, now I have 2 published novels. Oh, forgot to say my other passion is promoting talented female musicians on my website.
Hi Melissa!
I discovered your site through one of my favorite communities – Savor the Success – just this morning! Been reading through your posts this last hour and a half, and I just love your story(ies), your passion and your personality.
Thank you for this post in particular (or rather – all of them – the are all so relavant to where I am in life right now!).
I have been working in Corporate America since the age of 17… so for over 15 years now, and ever since I started working, I've had a passion for so many things: Event Planning, Fashion and performing with my very musical family! So fun. I still am in Corporate America and am starting to nurture all of those other loves that I have, so that I can honor those talents and use them while I do the 9 to 5! :)
Thank you for your inspiration… I look forward to hearing more from you, and hopefully, work with you in the future!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best Regards.
I want to know if it's possible to have multiple passions? Even ones that seem to pop out of no where. You see I have this passion to write stories and I want those to be in book and movie form but of course I want to do movies too because well I have a passion for that too. So I want to write books and be a screen writer and be a movie producer, also I want to be able to be very good at digital art so I can finally see the things in my head clearly. But that's more of a hobby that I want to be good at but it's a passion too. Now by all of this you can tell one first of all I have a lot of passions and second that I'm a creative person and I already know what my passions are and what I want to do and I'm only 16!
But here's the thing in having real trouble with… Recently I just randomly had this passion come to me that seem from out of no where. Like I don't know maybe it's a passion that was hiding until something triggered it to come loose like maybe a graduation that I went to that now that I think of it that's when it happened. I suddenly have this dying urge to be a horse show jumper. Except my dad says no to having a horse even tho we have plenty of land and I even told him I will have two jobs to help pay for a horse but he still says no even tho it could work! Ever since that passion has come up I do get really depressed or more sad than anything that I can not be outside taking care and practicing with my horse. It's like air to me and not having it hurts so much! I even want to be in the Olympics with show jumping and I know I can do it but no horse. This passion is so annoying because it's something that I know I can't have but I can't live without it! Help me please