As we enter into 2017, some are looking forward to a new year filled with possibility. Others are dreading what could be a dramatic change in the global political climate.

Regardless of where you stand on the issues, one thing is certain: there are incredibly passionate people making very impassioned arguments. People who feel their emotional involvement and need to create or support a cause as an outlet for their passions. It's as if a spark has been ignited, and that cause serves as the oxygen and fuel that grows that spark into a flame.

Ryan BonaparteJanuary 16, 2017Action, Passion

The New Tools For Your Toolbox

Back in April I mentioned my hope to build Crazy Enough To Try into more than it is. I wanted to grow the website and mission to provide additional resources to help you incorporate your passions into your life.

Specifically, I planned on referring products and services that have helped me in my journey to not only incorporate my passions, but build upon them. To that end, I've worked to narrow down the field to the best items that I think will help you on your journey. So appropriately, I've called them The Tools.

Ryan BonaparteDecember 9, 2016Book, Passion, Reading, Ideas

Lost and Found: Starting On The Path of Recognizing Passions

We've all been there. Stuck on a project, job, or even a career that just does't seem to fit. We might be capable, and even excelling at our work, but that doesn't mean we like it.

The feeling goes deeper than 'not liking it' though. It doesn't fulfill us. Most days are spent looking forward to when we walk out the door to the office and get on with the rest of the evening when we get to do what we want. Most weeks are spent looking forward to the weekend for the same reason. And most months just seem to go by in a blur, waiting for the next holiday, vacation, or anything that keeps us away and busy with life.

When you think about it...that's a terrible way to live life. We spend so much time working, it's a complete waste to do that while being miserable. But what's the alternative? Living a life of leisure, and most likely poverty? Wasting the work that we have put into building our education, the sacrifices that others have made for us, and the potential good we can do in the world?

No.

Ryan BonaparteJune 1, 2016Passion, Career, Work, Effort

Setting A Tone For The Future

It has been a few months since my last post. I thought about starting off with apologies and an explanation for my absence. I thought about maybe saying how life has been busy with a new job, buying a home, planning a wedding, and other stuff. But while those events did happen, really that’s not the whole truth.

The whole truth is that I needed some time to revaluate what I wanted Crazy Enough To Try to represent. And I think I'm ready to reveal the results of that work.

Ryan BonaparteApril 21, 2016Progress, Passion, Action

It's Ok To Relax And Here's How To Do It

Push harder. Do More. Work Smarter. Be Awesome.

These are the phrases we tell ourselves to keep moving forward, to keep finding more success, or at least find what brings up the most satisfaction in our passions.

And these are the things you should be doing. Most of the time.

If you continually push yourself to the extreme, never giving yourself time to breathe, guess what? You'll crash and all of the balls you were juggling will come crashing down.

Sometimes you just need time to recuperate.

Ryan BonaparteJanuary 11, 2016Exercise, Health, Passion

The New Edition of Crazy Enough To Try!

That's right, Crazy Enough To Try has been updated with new content!

You may have noticed that there haven't been too many posts here lately. That's because over the past few months, I've been dedicating most of my writing time to pushing out the 2nd edition of Crazy Enough To Try. And I'm happy to say that it came out wonderful.

PopularRyan BonaparteAugust 4, 2015Book, Passion, Writing

How To Use Your Weekends Wisely

Most of us are pretty busy during the week. We're going to work or school, cooking, cleaning, taking care of our families, and taking care of ourselves (if we can find the time of course). So needless to say, me telling you to take on another activity is probably not what you want to hear. Who has the time?

However, one thing that has helped me push through more than one project when at my busiest was this:

Use my weekends wisely.

What do I mean by this? Let's take a step back first.

Ryan BonaparteMay 29, 2015Work, Hobbies, Time, Passion

Build Your Confidence To Build Your Dream

When it comes to building your dream there's one thing that I can guarantee. No one's going to build it for you.

We take a lot of things for granted in life, and having others carve a path in front of us is definitely one of them. I'm often shocked at how much I assume is just going to fall into my lap, with little to no work on my part.

We all know it, but we don't always believe. Building a dream takes hard work and dedication. It takes a level of commitment that a typical project just doesn't need.

It also takes confidence.

Ryan BonaparteMay 18, 2015Dedication, Confidence, Passion

What If You're Frustrated By Your Journey?

Incorporating your passions into your life can be an awesome experience. I love it when I find myself doing exactly what I envision my passions to be. I just feel a sense of purpose mixed with a drive to continue on and push further.

But what if you get frustrated before you make it to that point? What do you do to keep going?

Ryan BonaparteApril 29, 2015Frustration, Patience, Passion, Journey

Conversations on Passion: Emily Worden of eThreads

Conversations on Passion is an interview series with those who have found and are living their passions in some form. If you'd like to be profiled or know someone who would be a great fit, send me a note at ryan@crazyenoughtotry.com.

I met Emily at a workshop she gave on business marketing at Miranda's Hearth, and was immediately impressed. I had previously flipped through her book Make. Sell. Repeat., an awesome guide for starting businesses, and had been looking forward to learning more. With both a book and a custom bag shop, eThreads, Emily has a ton of experience in creating and living her passions.

Read on below to get the full story behind her journey from a DIYer to a full time businesswoman.

Ryan BonaparteApril 2, 2015Conversations on Passion, Passion, Crafting, Business

How Far Are You Willing To Take Your Passion?

I recently saw the movie Whiplash for the first time, and it was pretty powerful. If you haven’t seen it before, I strongly suggest giving it a watch. As a former band kid, I could relate to the passion both Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons exhibited for their craft, even if I didn't have that same passion myself.

Without giving anything away, I can say that the main concept driving the plot was the fact that Miles Teller's character pushed himself to be the best drummer he could be. And he was willing to go through hell to get there. He was wiling to give up pretty much anything in order to become one of the “greats”.

After the final scene, I sat thinking about how this relates to an individual’s pursuits of their passion in real life.

Ryan BonaparteMarch 25, 2015Passion, Sacrifice, Happiness

Are Your Hobbies Killing Your Passions?

Most people who know me know that I am a gamer. I really like video games, and have played them for many years. Give me a few minutes and I could talk your ear off about some of the new titles that recently came out or the latest technologies being used to make games more lifelike.

Recently, I finished playing what was one of the longer games that I've played, and within the game there is a timer that keeps track of how long you've spent on this play through. As I took a final look at my time, I couldn't help but think.

Ryan BonaparteMarch 22, 2015Passion, Time, Hobbies, Choice