life at the speed of passion

Eve Wright, Esq. is the VP and Associate General Counsel for the Miami Heat and the American Airlines Arena. She believes that anyone can achieve positive results, as long as they put in the work. In her new book, Life at the Speed of Passion: Create a Life of Intention, Purpose and Integrity, Wright talks about the plan before the plan -- which is the work you have to put in before you even set out on a path to achieve your goals.

We had the opportunity to speak with Wright about her book, and how the right actions can help anyone achieve positive results.

1. Can you tell us more about Life at the Speed of Passion?

Absolutely! LIFE AT THE SPEED OF PASSION: Create a Life of Intention, Purpose, and Integrity will alter the way you think about what your life looks like, what you do for a living and why you do it. I talk about real life strategies and techniques you can use to:

  • Streamline your personal and professional decision-making process;
  • Cut the emotional “fat” from your life;
  • Refine yourself every day and know what it means to be happy;
  • Initiate change and stop making excuses;
  • Be the CEO of your own plan and have a strategy to attain your goals, but be flexible with opportunities that may arise;
  • Take calculated risks and re-learn risk-taking to achieve your ROI;
  • Overcome fear of failure; and
  • Learn how to trust your instincts—and act on them with confidence.

2. What are most people missing or doing wrong when they begin working towards their goals?

First, recognize that, for most of us, the life we want just doesn’t fall into our laps. But, sometimes, people take steps toward a goal without actually exploring whether the goal, once accomplished, is something they actually want. I speak to a good amount of young professionals who are disillusioned when they actually start practicing law (and after they have acquired a good amount of debt). It’s usually because they didn’t use the type of techniques I discuss in my book to plot their course. It’s certainly a noble and, sometimes storied, profession. However, they should think about what kind of work the practice of law (or the execution and accomplishment of any goal for that matter) involves -- the hours, the lifestyle, etc., and whether that meshes with what they are interested in and the lifestyle they want for themselves.

3. What steps should we take before we even set out on a specific path?

Invest in your personal development. Whether it’s through motivation and improvement tools like my book – Life at the Speed of Passion – or something as simple as taking a class to obtain a new skill set, you never know how it will help you down the road and it will keep you motivated to stay focused on your own positive improvement.

4. You mention that people should use "resources at your disposal" -- what online resources would you suggest to those just starting out in a particular industry?

I think you have to start asking questions to use both online and offline resources to search for answers and insights. While you certainly have to consider your source, it could be anything from articles and resource guides to opportunities to engage with niche experts via webinars. For example, I receive a good amount of inquiries from students about my career as a sports lawyer/executive. I usually advise them to take the time to get a realistic and accurate grasp of what it means to practice law every day. Too often, young professionals are disillusioned when they actually start practicing law (and after they have acquired a good amount of debt). It’s usually because they didn’t use the type of techniques I discuss in my book to plot their course. It’s certainly a noble and, sometimes storied, profession. However, they should think about what kind of work the practice of law involves, the hours, the lifestyle, etc. and whether that meshes with what they are interested in and the lifestyle they want for themselves. Whether you’re talking about being a lawyer or anything else, the underlying premise is the same.

5. How will taking these steps lead to positive results?

We have to commit to creating and putting the pieces together. That usually means focusing on what matters to you, putting together a plan to achieve it and taking some risks to execute it. It doesn’t have to be done in “life jarring” steps. Start with the small things – learning a new skill set or extending yourself for an opportunity to gain a different experience – and before you know it, you’re on your way to creating a life that satisfies you (rather than just a job).

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