Are You A Passioneer® or a Passioneer Wannabe?
Last year we began interviewing hundreds of bold, talented individuals and groups around the world who are leaping fully and vibrantly into their passions for making big, positive differences in the world. We call them Passioneers® and are focusing on documenting their journeys to inspire others who are scared, discouraged, stuck, or dispassionate about their own journeys. You know a Passioneer when you meet them, mostly by how you feel in their presence: uplifted, inspired, and ready to take on the world. So what’s the secret sauce?
A decade ago, Paul Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson coined the term “Cultural Creatives,” in their book, The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. Their term refers to individuals who meet ten or more of their twenty Cultural Creative traits (See your score). Their research estimates that there were nearly 150 million Cultural Creatives around the world in the year 2000 (50 million in the U.S.; 80-90 million in Europe). The twenty criteria range from a love of nature, optimism for the future, equality for men and women to a dislike of modernism and concern about big business. The research points to the possibility of Cultural Creatives’ linking arms, hearts, and programs around the globe and collaborating for a brighter future. This possibility is becoming an imperative as we witness more and more disasters like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Watch our brief video on our WHY!
Initially my definition of a Passioneer was how I described my closest friends and colleagues – the like-spirited souls whom I really click with, instantly, synchronistically, and at depth. More recently, I realized that my best coaching clients are Passioneers, since they are truly willing and ready to make big steps to transform the planet. The reality? A Passioneer is a Cultural Creative who lives the mantra of “doing what you love and having the rest follow.” A Passioneer thrives at what she loves (no starving martyrs please!) and wants to leave a big, positive legacy on the planet and support others in doing the same. Don’t get me wrong: each of us has a burning, crazy-ass Passioneer inside who’s just aching to burst on the scene and make a difference. Still, it’s only the true Passioneers who follow their thought and talk with ACTION!
So, are you a Passioneer? Answer the questions below to find out (or watch our brief video):
- Are you a big thinker with big ideas for your life and the planet?
- Do you believe that happiness involves a healthy mind, body, and spirit?
- Are you ready and willing to make courageous leaps in inspiring and serving in the world?
- Are you clear about your passions and your purpose?
- Does your definition of prosperity embrace way more than material gain but isn’t the “starving martyr syndrome”?
- Do you follow a path of regular self-reflection, self-development, and spirituality?
- Are you an open-minded, lifelong learner, and wisdom-seeker?
- Are you big-hearted and compassionate?
- Do you believe in the power of oneness, connection, and relationships?
- Are you a good steward of the earth, including resources, plants and animals?
- The Super-Duper Clincher: Do you actively and consistently walk your Passioneer talk throughout your day and with every being that you meet?
If you answered at least 7 of the 11 questions with a “Yes,” then you are a Passioneer. Bonus points if you answered #11 with a Yes!
In their research, Ray and Anderson also discovered some common values in Cultural Creatives that they asserted are “the best single indicator of real behavior”: Authenticity, Engaged Action and Whole Process Learning, Idealism and Activism, Globalism and Ecology, Importance of Women, Altruism, Self-Actualization, and Spirituality.
For the Passions and Possiblities Project, we’ve distilled 200+ interviews into a core set of 12 values that show up the most in the Passioneers. As you can see, there’s a lot of overlap with the Cultural Creative research.
- Big Vision/Purpose
- Fierce Commitment/Perseverence
- Faith/Belief
- Authenticity/Integrity
- Courage
- Prosperity Consciousness
- Strong Connections/Relationships
- Self-nurturing/Balance
- Giving Heart
- Consistent Action
- Gratitude
- Open Mind/Flexibility
Most importantly, we’ve found that Passioneers have clear, focused desires for their lives, including;
- Fully exploring and expressing their talents and passions.
- Prospering at what they love in all areas of their life.
- Being healthy, vibrant, and in balance.
- Living the life of their dreams.
- Making a big difference in the world and leave a legacy.
- Building and maintaining deeper, more committed relationships of all kinds
- Supporting others in the same. That is, paying it backward, forward, up, down, and all around.
So, ask yourself, are you a Passioneer? Do you want to be one? For tips on making the leap check out our two related posts: Do What You Love and the Rest Will Follow (Part I) and Part II.
Happy Passioneering!
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Sue Oliver is a Passions and Possibilities coach who supports bold, talented individuals in leaping fully and vibrantly into their passions for making bigger, positive contributions on the planet. She offers full-spectrum success coaching from a mind/body/spirit standpoint through Powerleaps Coaching, via telecoaching and classes. Sue shares 20 years of experience launching new ventures for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. Her mission is to prove that you can do what you love and thrive. She hosts the popular The Passions and Possibilities Project radio show and founded The Passions and Possibilities Project.
