Dreams are free and every conscious human being has the freedom to dream. But very few people are able to dream awake. Dreaming awake means owning a vision you are passionate about and living that passion no matter how big or small.

Usually when we, as human beings, think about what is needed to be successful in life and in our work, we usually think about characteristics like value, talent, ambition, intellect, discipline, persistence and luck. What many of us often fail to include in this recipe for success is passion. The passion we have, or do not have, for our work should not be underestimated. Sometimes this ingredient could make the biggest difference of all.

Passion is the powerful feeling of enthusiasm we all have inside of us. We are all enthusiastic and passionate about something, whether its finance, food or a favorite sport. That enthusiasm is very powerful. When we can combine it with our work, we are setting ourselves up well for achieving true success.

Examples abound of people whose successes in life are as a result of following their passion and staying true to them no matter the obstacles and the challenges that confronted them on their way. As human as we are people will always be apprehensive towards what is new and different. Being eccentric and a maverick in a conservative society could be very difficult.

As a matter of act, just being yourself can be hard. Being brave enough to open up and show people who we are is always a challenge because we fear being rejected by society. But in all we do, we should note that those whose legacies and footprints remain indelible on this earth are those who dared to be different; those who were daring enough to follow their passions no matter what.

We remember them as giants because they stood tall. So whoever you are and wherever you find yourself, be true to yourself, follow your passion and do your thing. What’s your thing?