Harvey Mackay Column- Passion Never Goes Out Of Fashion
In this motivational column, Harvey Mackay argues that passion is the essential "secret ingredient" for success in any endeavor, especially sales. He opens with a vivid cooking anecdote about Maria, whose "Surprise Stew" delights guests because she seasons it with passion and humor. Mackay reinforces the point with quotes from Dale Carnegie and Blake Mycoskie, both emphasizing that wholehearted commitment transforms work into happiness and impact. He then makes a business case: a salesperson without passion is merely an order taker, whereas passion fuels conviction, authority, and zeal, making the product irresistible. Mackay adds a caveat that passion alone is insufficient without competence, illustrated by his own experience of abandoning a professional golf dream due to practical limits and redirecting his passion toward sales, where he excelled. He advises readers to surround themselves with passionate people to absorb their energy, noting that passion must be a constant, not an occasional feeling. The piece concludes with a moral: purpose gives direction, while passion provides the fire that lights the way.
Topics
Cooking Anecdote: Passion as the Secret Ingredient
Maria's dinner party illustrates how passion, likened to a secret ingredient, transforms an ordinary dish into an extraordinary experience, setting the metaphor for the column.
Authority Quotes: Carnegie and Mycoskie on Living Your Passion
Mackay cites Dale Carnegie and Blake Mycoskie to lend external credibility, showing how renowned thinkers link passion to happiness, purpose, and impact.
Passion as a Core Skill in Sales
The argument that passion distinguishes a persuasive salesperson from an order taker, driving conviction, authority, and customer attraction.
Passion Requires Competence: The Golf Lesson
Mackay shares his personal experience abandoning a professional golf ambition due to practical constraints, highlighting that passion must be paired with ability.
Cultivating Passion: Surround Yourself with Passionate People
Advice to seek out and engage with passionate colleagues, emphasizing contagion of enthusiasm and the need for constant passion.
Purpose vs. Passion: Mackay's Moral
The concluding moral that purpose defines the journey while passion fuels it, summarizing the column's central thesis.