Over the weekend I spent time watching Saturday Night Live, as I usually do. Sure, it’s not as funny as it used to be, but it’s something I’ve always done and enjoyed doing – especially as a former comedian. In fact, I dreamed of being on the show back when I was in high school and that dream stuck with me for years afterward. Even as recently as ten years ago I felt compelled to do what I could to get closer to making that dream a reality.
But no longer.
Some may say it’s because my comedy career never really got off the ground. Some may say I made choices with my life by starting a family played the biggest role. Some may say that I was too old to make it happen, despite the fact that I wasn’t even 40 yet. Yet the reason that I no longer pursue the dream of being on SNL is because my passion for sketch comedy performing (and comedy in general) has been usurped by my passion for personal productivity. And I’m so grateful that happened.
In fact, as I watched the show this weekend I felt different about it for the first time that I can recall. I didn’t have any wishful thinking about not pursuing that dream. I actually felt that what they were doing on the show – performing live after a gruelling schedule leading up to it – was something I had no interest in whatsoever. I felt weird and relieved at the same time, but the sense of relief was far stronger.
It may seem strange that personal productivity replaced comedy as my passion, but when you dig deeper it is a better calling. While productivity may seem all about checking off boxes and doing things faster and better, the way I view it has changed over the years. I look at personal productivity as a key factor in guiding your life, both at work and home. I believe that once you’ve become more intentional with what you need and want to do and pay more attention to those things, that you will lead a much better life.
Ultimately, I think that by working on becoming more productive will take you beyond productivity and to the places you really want to be. And I’m passionate about doing that in my own life…and helping others get there too.
I’ve written about my journey from productivity enthusiast to strategist, and my passion for productivity has given me the fuel to begin crafting ways that others can boost their productivity power and level up their lives. My passion for productivity allows me to do what I used to do with comedy – look at everything through a comedic lens. I am better able to relate everyday situations to personal productivity. And like a seasoned comedian, I’ve gotten better at delivering material that better resonates with my audience.
And I’m going to work hard at fostering my passion for personal productivity even more in the year ahead…and beyond. I’ll study harder and improve my knowledge across the productivity spectrum. I’ll focus on building a better version of myself and my work. And it will show in everything I do, both here and everywhere I can be found.
I want to help others do the same. Because my passion is for personal productivity, whether it’s mine or yours. That passion drives me to be better and serve better. It helps guide my intentions and attention. It compels me to explore new ways to connect with people who are interested in becoming better versions of themselves so that I can help them.
I’ll always enjoy comedy. I’ll always use the skills I acquired while pursuing that passion in my life whenever it’s warranted. But my passion now is personal productivity. And I couldn’t be more excited about where pursuing that passion will take me going forward.
What are you passionate about? Are you pursuing it? If so, how? If not, are you making an effort to start in the next year?
