People use all kinds of excuses for not making a change, and most people list fear and lack of money as their biggest obstacles–but it’s a lack of information that usually turns out to be the culprit. Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s scary. Since it takes no money to research your options, why not spend a little time coming up with a list of choices that will help bring you closer to solving your problem?

Take a piece of paper and describe your problem in a single sentence at the top of the page. Then list as many solutions as possible, even if some of them seem far-fetched or out of reach. Don’t let yourself reject any solutions at this point. It’s impossible to know which one will be right for you until you weigh the pros and cons of each and every opportunity. Here’s an example:

PROBLEM: I need to get into better physical condition.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

Join a gym.

Buy a treadmill.

Attend an excercise class.

Sign up for a dance class.

Walk every day.

Jog every day.

Swim every day.

Ride my bicycle every day.

Go on a diet.

Join a sports team.

Eat more healthful food.

Consider all of your options and be as open-minded as possible. In order to successfully solve any problem, you’ve got to get a handle on the various solutions before moving forward.

 When did we learn to settle for the bland, rather than savor the tangy?

When we opened our first restaurant on Anguilla, we observed a strange phenomenon among the parents of young children. When ready to order, many would inform us that their children have specific food requirements. “A plain bowl of pasta,” they’d say, “with a little butter and cheese on the side. Unless you have chicken fingers and French fries. That would be even better.”

We couldn’t help wonder when this bland, monotonous menu became standard fare for the under-twelve set, and what it’s teaching them about the pleasures of life. We know from experience that children can savor the tangy flavor of lemon and the sweet smell of rosemary as much as we do. Why assume that kids can’t accept these exciting flavors? Why not encourage them to sample something new and even unexpected?

This led us to think about the bland and unchallenging life menu that we adults so often settle for. We’ve learned that living what you love means choosing the unusual over the usual. It means acknowledging your dreams, making decisions, and taking action. It means valuing your life more than merely paying the bills, meeting everyone’s expectations and buying time. If you truly live what you love, you are rebelling against common life.

Think about this: The life you love moves you. It comes with action and commitment. What do you need to do to bring more passion into your life?