Sales Strategy
Are You Obsessive Or Harmonious? | October 11, 2017 (0 comments)
Miami, FL—Success does not always equate to happiness. Some of the most gifted individuals fail to find personal fulfilment despite reaching great success in their professional lives. There are people that are “successful” and then there are those that are “happily successful.” I feel that none of that matters if you don’t have passion.
“Passion” can be defined as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. But I’ve learned that there are two different types of passion; one healthy, and one potentially unhealthy: harmonious passion and obsessive passion. Here is what it means to be obsessively passionate--and why those who pursue harmonious passion always feel happier.
Obsessive Passion. People who are obsessively passionate pursue their careers for wealth or status and are often afraid to fail. An obsessive passion can overwhelm someone’s life. People with this trait are sometimes defined as cold, have far fewer friends, are less moral and more likely to cheat. For example, an obsessively passionate athlete gets injured more often, both long term and acute, and then feels guilty when they are not practicing. These people especially have trouble focusing, and at the end of the day are more likely to burn out.
Harmonious Passion. A harmonious passion, on the other hand, blends seamlessly into a person’s everyday life. It allows them to remain present and mindful of other aspects of life, such as relationships and other interests. The foundation is that you do what you do because you love it! Those who pursue harmonious passion are warmer, more collegial, and more collaborative. They are usually much more creative. Instead of fighting to achieve only tangible success like money, those who follow harmonious success pursue what they love to learn, rather than pursuing only winning. Even if their work is not one of their greatest passions, having and nurturing other harmonious passions like reading, gardening, or painting will help people to begin to find meaning in their work life, too.
I can only speak for myself. I think when starting Continental Buying Group 38 years ago, I was much younger, much more obsessive, and (as some of you who know me) much more aggressive. It was also the nature of the business. I was changing the way independents purchased jewelry. No longer was it perceived value: I was going to negotiate and get down and dirty for my retailers. I truly had an obsessive passion.
Now adding my second business, Preferred Jewelers International, it has become a harmonious passion. I love this industry and it has taught me so much. Preferred has become my passion and labor of love. It is also warm and fuzzy because we are not just helping the retailer but giving back to the consumer as well. It is a passionate, happy feeling. I believe truly successful people should have a little of both. Balance is the key to success, happiness and health. I don’t know about you, but I want it all! I want to be a little obsessive to reach my harmony. --Andie
Andie Weinman, president and CEO of Preferred Jewelers International / Continental Buying Group Inc., was born with the “Jewelry Gene” working in the jewelry industry since she was only ten years old. Her first job was as a cashier in the opening of a catalog showroom doing a fantastic job even at that tender age. Andie holds a B.A. in musical theatre and a B.S. in marine biology from The University of Tampa. When she realized that seawater and marine biology were not good on her hair and she wasn’t quite good enough to make it on Broadway, the jewelry business beckoned. Andie has picked diamonds, sorted color stones, shot waxes and performed a multitude of jobs in the manufacturing of jewelry. Her negotiating experience and prowess has given her the reputation as being tough but fair in her dealings with vendors. In 2012 the Indian Diamond and Color Association awarded Andie the Prestigious Doyenne Award of the Year.