Passion is one of the most powerful emotions a person can possess. It gives you the energy to pursue your goals, even when the going gets tough. It can motivate you to push through obstacles and setbacks, and help you achieve success beyond what you thought possible. But how do you find your passion and harness its power?

In my experience, passion comes from focusing on what excites you. It’s that intense desire to pursue something that stirs your emotions deeply, that makes you want to spend your time and energy on your goals instead of being distracted by other things. It’s that inner fire that fuels your determination to keep going, even in the face of adversity.

I’ve seen countless examples of people achieving remarkable things because of their passion. From Bethany Hamilton, who returned to surfing after losing her arm to a shark attack, to Gabrielle Giffords, who overcame a traumatic brain injury to speak to crowds of thousands, passion can help you break through any barriers that may stand in your way.

But passion alone isn’t enough. You also need a plan and a system for achieving your goals. That’s why I wrote The Oxcart Technique, to give you a process that will help, when passion ebbs and fades.

Every good plan starts with getting specific about what you want.

Here how to get started.

• Think about a goal you have been struggling to achieve. What is it about this goal that excites you? How can you tap into that passion to motivate yourself to keep going, even when things get tough?
• Make a list of specific, actionable steps you can take to make progress towards your goal. What are some small actions you can take every day to move closer to achieving your goal? How can you track your progress to stay accountable?
• Reflect on a time when you achieved something that you were passionate about. What obstacles did you face along the way? How did your passion help you overcome those obstacles? What lessons can you take from that experience and apply to your current goals?

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