Obsessive passion vs harmonious passion
Jessica Morales breaks down how while passion is important for people to succeed. There is a kind of passion that isn’t as positive and may end up costing you.
Morales defines obsessive passion as when the activity of something overpowers the person. For example, when people become reliant on a certain idea to give them self-worth, it can lead to a lack of self-control which can, in turn, become more toxic than positive. Obsessive passion can occur when people begin to lose sight of who they are outside of a passion. For example, when all someone thinks about is their passion, they can lose sight of other things that were important to them while focusing on their obsessive passion.
Morales explains the opposite of obsessive passion as harmonious passion. Harmonious passion occurs when an activity is fit into the authenticity of the person. The person completing the activity does so because they want to, not because they feel they must. Harmonious passion is most beneficial because it allows the person to adapt and change their passion and uses based on what they need at the time. For example, someone very interested in football may become more interested in basketball when football is off-season.
Trying to nurture a passion to be harmonious rather than obsessive can be difficult. But Morales suggests trying to find multiple passions to keep from becoming obsessive about one and focusing on being adaptable to encourage harmonious passion.
As seen, passion is important for the workplace. But as explored by Morales and a previous blog post (https://www.performwithpurpose.org/blogs/pursing-care-rather-than-happiness) passion can sometimes have negative outcomes in the workplace and it’s important to be aware of those to stay as passionate as possible without losing yourself to your work.
Written by: Bryn Garick
Sources: Morales, J. (2020). Two types of passion: Harmonious vs. obsessive. Psychology Today. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/building-the-habit-hero/202008/two-types-passion-harmonious-vs-obsessive