I am fascinated by the name of your site, Barrie – Live Bold and Bloom – it just draws you in. How did the name come about?
The name goes hand-in-hand with my personal coaching business (Bloom Life and Career Coaching). I am intrigued with how much potential people have that they aren’t using – mainly because of fear. In my coaching business, I want to invite and challenge people to bloom to their fullest potential. But to do that, they sometimes must be bold. They might have to step out of their comfort zone. Being bold, taking risks, challenging yourself – that’s really the path to growth and creating a better life.
I know that you’ve worked in public relations for a long time before you moved in to writing and coaching. How did the transition come about?
It came about as the result of my oldest child leaving home. She is an aspiring professional ballet dancer and had spent many years training here in Atlanta. I spent a lot of time driving her from our suburban home 60 miles round trip to Atlanta Ballet, which is in downtown Atlanta, every day. Then I would go back to get her again in the evenings. So needless to say, once she left home, I regained a huge chunk of time. I started thinking about gearing up my PR practice, but I just couldn’t get excited about it. There was no passion around it. So I started a personal search for my life passion. I took assessments, workshops, read every book under the sun. And I finally discovered that my passion was helping other people find theirs! I enrolled in a coach training program, and I started my blog as a way to market my coaching business. But then I discovered my passion for blogging. When you pull one thread, you sometimes find that it opens the door to many related passions. Now most of my coaching is done through my blog and the courses I teach related to my online business. I just finished a self-confidence course with Erin Falconer of Pick the Brain, and I’m about to begin the Habit Course (for the 3rd time) with Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and Katie Tallo of Momentum Gathering.
In a recent post you asked 20 highly successful bloggers: What is one bold and fearless thing you have done that has made a profound positive impact on your life? What would you answer be to that question?
Without a doubt, it would be starting my blog. I had no idea how to blog when I first started. In fact, I was really fearful of computer technology and completely ignorant about how to build a successful blog. But my passion for writing and sharing with people just kept driving me and giving me the momentum and energy to figure it out. It’s amazing how feeling passionate about something can help you overcome just about any seeming obstacle!
What in your opinion keeps us from leading lives of passion and purpose?
Fear. We are afraid we will fail, that we aren’t good enough, that people with judge or reject us, that we are being selfish or indulgent, and any number of other fears. But most fears aren’t substantive. If you challenge the fear and take action in spite of fear, you will see that there is very little truth in what you are afraid of. But you have to get to the point where your desire for living with passion and purpose is greater than your fears. Once you are at that place, you can take that first tentative step. That’s all it takes. Then you are home free.
How do you suggest a person can live a life of passion on a day to day basis? What tools should s/he acquire for this?
Most of the time, passion and purpose don’t just land on us. There are some people who are born knowing their passion and purpose in life, but most of us have to uncover it. This is a process of self-inquiry, self-discovery, and trial and error. You have to know yourself really well; understand your values, skills and joys; and do some research to see how those things can be integrated into your life and/or work. I’ve written an entire course on how to find your passion called Discover Your Passion: A Step-by-Step Course for Creating the Life of Your Dreams. Finding your passion is hugely important work. Yes, you can survive without finding it. But if you want to thrive and squeeze the best out of life, then passion is essential.
Barrie, one of the areas you offer coaching in Blogging. Could you share one tip for the readers who are bloggers here?
Wow, one tip is hard. But I would distill it down to this: consistently write great content that serves your reader and is insanely useful. If you do that, your readers will keep coming back for more.
Could you tell us some more about your course, Discover Your Passion?
It’s a 7 module course with assessments, worksheets, and action steps to help you to see and understand yourself clearly, and to motivate you to move forward toward a better life. Through the various modules, you will investigate your personality type, your skills, your core values, your joys, and your dislikes. Also, you will delve into the limiting beliefs, emotions, and tolerations that are holding you back from taking action on your passion. One module of the course focuses on defining your ideal life vision and creating mission statement which serves as a blueprint for all of your decisions and actions.Then we pull all of that information together and look at where the various pieces intersect. That’s where you will find your passion. Of course, once you find it, you have to put it into action. You will do some of this work of taking action on your passion in the Discover Your Passion course. I’m working on a follow-up course that goes into this further, helping people learn to integrate their passion into their lives in some meaningful and/or income-producing way.
Thanks, Barrie. I appreciate your time.
Barrie Davenport is a personal and career coach and the founder of Live Bold and Bloom , a blog about bold and fearless living. Please download her free Bold Living Starter Kit here.
May you be inspired – every day!
Nice meeting you Barrie and thanks Corinne for yet again introducing me to a wonderful person.
Hi Janaki,
It is so nice meeting you as well. I am thrilled to meet Corinne’s wonderful readers and honored she invited me to join her here for this interview.
An interesting post about how someone found their passion. I also found it interesting that it was after her youngest child left home that this occurred, as I don’t know how anyone achieves such a meaningful career whilst nurturing children. Call me biased, but this is my observation. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Elizabeth,
It was actually after my oldest child left home. I still have two teenagers at home now. But since I work from home, and they are at school all day and activities after school, I have plenty of time to pursue my passion. It is very difficult with small children unless they are in daycare or with a nanny. But you can try to insert bits of your passion into your life when your kids are small. I have a friend with 3 young boys, and she works in violin lessons and cooking, two of her passions.
Barrie Davenport/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..The One Non-Negotiable Action You Must Take Before Creating Your Bold and Fearless Life
Oh, wow, what a great interview! I so enjoyed meeting Barrie; her passion is definitely palpable!
Martha Orlando recently posted..Too Good to be True?
Hi Martha!
Thank you so much. I’m glad that my passion is evident, because finally living it has changed my life. It is a goal worth pursuing for anyone who feels they haven’t found it.
Barrie Davenport/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..The One Non-Negotiable Action You Must Take Before Creating Your Bold and Fearless Life
Thank you, Corinne, and Barrie, for this inspiring interview this morning. I like how Barrie said: “When you pull one thread, you sometimes find that it opens the door to many related passions.” It’s true in my life also. I also appreciate how we have to dig to find our passions and then move boldly forward through the fear. I needed this today as I am about to take a very bold step this afternoon. It spoke directly to heart, calming my fears.
Corinne, you did an amazing job with this interview and Barrie, thank you for sharing your passion with us all.
Leah recently posted..I’m Done Chasing My Arse!
Hi Leah,
I’m so glad the interview came to you at the perfect time! It’s amazing how that happens sometimes. 🙂 Take that bold step. Walk right through the fire. I promise, the pain will be brief, whatever it is. Go for it!!
Barrie Davenport/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..The One Non-Negotiable Action You Must Take Before Creating Your Bold and Fearless Life
I think people tend to get lost in their own lives and forget the root of themselves ( I was this person – once). About ten years back I caught my reflection in a storefront window and had one of those defining moments. I’ve never looked back. Now that I am living my passions and following my dreams I’ve reached the second mountain – how to make the next step. In my case, it’s publishing. It’s not as hard in some ways, but much more horrific in other ways but only because I am not in control. Granted, I am doing the leg work. The interview and your words are well time–a reminder to keep the faith and keep living the dream. Thanks to both of you..
Brenda recently posted..Passionate Responses To Words
Hi Brenda,
I wonder what you saw in yourself in that storefront window. It’s funny how something so benign can have such a profound impact. But I’m glad it triggered a new level of growth for you. Yes, keep living your dream. I’m so glad the interview resonated with you.
Barrie, I’m so glad Corinne invited you here. I’ll make sure to read your blog. I think passion is the ingredient missing from my life. I have honest intentions but then lose motivation, life seems to take over instead of my taking over my life. So nice to meet you.
Corinne, thanks for introducing us to Barrie.
Myrna recently posted..LIFE
Hi Myrna,
Finding your life passion makes such a difference — it is like your life is on a higher frequency. I hope you take the steps to find yours Myrna. It is so worthwhile. Thank you for your kind words!
Good to meet you, Barrie! Can’t wait to check out your blog. 🙂
femmefrugality recently posted.."But still I love technology. Always and forever."
Thank you Femme!
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
Loved learning about you discovering your passion. I too have spent quite a bit of time encouraging and hopefully inspiring others to find their passion. There are so many possibilities and opportunities everywhere! I also see that we must live in the same general area although there are are lot of places outside of Atlanta–I live in Kennesaw. I will definitely follow your blog-love the design and look of it. Did you design it yourself or use a web designer?
Hi Lynne,
I live in Roswell, so we aren’t too far apart. I did use a designer for my blog. He is very good and lives in the Atlanta area too (in case you ever need someone good). That’s wonderful that you are encouraging others to find their passions. Imagine how amazing the world would be if everyone focused on their passions!
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
If you haven’t read this already – I’d urge you to do so now. Challenging you to live a life of passion and purpose.
Wonderful interview. Barrie walks her talk by providing “insanely useful” material! Love that phrase!
Galen Pearl recently posted..Code to Joy
Hi Galen,
Thank you that! So nice to see you here. 🙂
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
What a wonderful interview Corinne! Very nice to meet you Barrie 🙂
Mary Hudak-Colllins recently posted..Why Do We Do This To Ourselves?
Hi Mary,
It is nice to meet you too! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
Hi Barrie,
I’m a big fan of your blog and really enjoyed this interview! I love reading about how you started your blog! Is your oldest still pursuing her ballet career?
Corinne,
Great interview!
Betsy at Zen Mama recently posted..How To Calm Your Monkey Mind
Hi Betsy,
So nice to see you here! Thank you for your kind words. Yes, she is still pursuing her ballet career. She was a trainee with Richmond Ballet for two years and is now in the midst of audition season. She has found her passion!
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
Thanks a ton, Corinne for inviting Barrie to your site and thank you Barrie for your inspiring post. What you say is so true, once we evict fear from our hearts we are on our way to fulfilling our dreams. All it takes is that first tentative but bold step away from negative thoughts and fears towards positivity and inspired living.
I have taken that first step this year and have started my website, like you, I had a lot of time with both my kids in college 🙂 Hope to make my dream a reality and am working hard towards it, will connect with you after six months and share my story with you.
Regards
Sulekha
Sulekha Rawat recently posted..Just Because…
How wonderful Sulekha! Keep working toward that dream. I never would have believed just a couple of years ago that I would be where I am with my blog and online work. It is so exciting and fun. Congratulations!
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
Nice interview, Corinne and Barrie. I do hope more and more people can be bold enough to overcome their fears. It’s not an easy thing to do so, especially when we have been so used to thinking those fears couldn’t be easily overcome. While it is true that there are many fears that are valid like one’s fear of not having sufficient means even to survive life’s basis needs like food, clothing and shelter, we do have an assurance from God that He knows our needs, and by seeking first His Kingdom (which may well include seeking our God-given passion), we will be provided with everything else we need.
Joyce at I Take Off The Mask recently posted..Why Do We Need a Desert Experience?
Hi Joyce,
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comments. Overcoming fear is difficult, but so many of our fears are misguided or illusory. Most of the time, everything turns out to be OK. Our minds tend to expand our fears and turn them against us. I am glad your faith has helped your with your fears Joyce. 🙂
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
good advice — i will check out her blog! corinne, thank you for introducing me to such interesting people!!! XOXOXXO
Dangerous Linda recently posted..this moment
Thank you Linda. I look forward to seeing you there. 🙂
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month
What an informative post. I have a public relations background as well, but the passion for it as a job has dissipated. I want to take the PR skills I have a move into the social media mgt field. I have had interviews for social jobs, but have not gotten the nod just yet. I will take a look at your site Barrie to see if I can pick up some tips. Your advice seems sound and it looks like you have been there and done that! I also found that starting a blog was one of my best decisions. It was nice meeting you through Corinne’s fabulous site. Cheers! 🙂
Tameka (BloggerPoet) ( recently posted..Lyric Fire: NaPoWriMo 2012 – Day 14 of 30 Poems in 30 Days – Spaghetti & Fried Fish
Hi Tameka,
You may not know exactly if it is for you until you give it a try. Sometimes you have to try a few things before you find the best fit for your passion. Take the time to learn what you really love and enjoy doing, what makes you come alive. It is so worth the time and effort to find out. 🙂
Barrie/Live Bold and Bloom recently posted..Make Your Vision a Reality with a Theme for the Month