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Is Passion What Keeps Us Alive? – The Cancer Fighting Sales Trainer

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This post is a story of a man who is having chemotherapy and has had cancer three times in the last eighteen months. He’s had his colon, liver, and gall bladder cut out to remove different stages of cancer.

Even though this man had chemotherapy yesterday morning, he chose to come and deliver sales and negotiation training to a room full of people, which I was among. He told parts of his story throughout the day and how he has gone through more physical pain than many of us could imagine.

Even with all the pain, he keeps showing up to deliver his training. He said that the remarkable thing about pain is it focuses you. We do everything we can to avoid it and then when we are forced to endure it; nothing else matters and your brain becomes concentrated on the pain you’re going through.

As I looked into this man’s eyes during one of the breaks, I saw a lot of red and yellow spots which is a sign of a great battle being fought inside his body. At the same time, I saw a bright spark of light in one of the corners of his eye.

It was as if it was this spark that was keeping him going and stopping cancer from taking his life. This man is very successful and has more than enough money, so the question begs, why does he keep showing up?

The answer is simple; his passion is keeping the fire burning inside of him, and it won’t let him give up his fight with cancer. His passion is what is pushing him through the fear, and focusing him on his legacy. He wants to be remembered for his work.

Below are the seven reasons passion keeps us alive:

 

1. Passion gives us inner drive

Life can be tough at times and staying motivated is even harder. Passion is what gives us the inner drive to keep going and not to look back. If the sales trainer didn’t come and teach us everything he knew, would he still have the drive to fight cancer? I suspect the answer would be no.

As long as he uses his years of psychology studies to stay positive, and he’s got more to give, his passion will continue to fuel his success. The energy to create momentum in our life or business has to come from somewhere.

 

2. Passion gives us meaning

As this man continues to be knocked down by cancer, he showed us that we have to give meaning to our life. Even when there is no reason to do so, we have to follow our hearts and minds and pursue that one passion that makes those around us, and the world happy.

Had this man decided to let his passion rest or be put on hold, his reason for waking up in the morning and coming to train us would be gone. He would spend whatever time he has left in the hospital, feeling depressed.

These negative thoughts and emotions would help to fuel his cancer even further, and his lasting effect would potentially be forgotten. This man didn’t want the world to forget him, and he wanted to continue giving everything he has left.

It’s his meaning, and the impact he is having that is keeping him alive. Ignite your own passion and don’t let your legacy be forgotten – it’s too important.

 

3. Passion allows us to serve others

A passion for something, if kept behind closed doors, is useless to others. For passion to keep the fire burning inside of us, we have to use it to serve others. When we allow our community of friends and colleagues to have access to our passion, we unlock the possibility of them finding their own.

This cycle of discovering our passion, spreading it, allowing other to find theirs, and them spreading the idea further, is what creates harmony and what I believe reduces wars, racism, and poverty.

Our passion can only be compounded further when we get feedback and recognition from those who have benefited from it. If no one benefits from our passion, then we are unlikely to stay on the same path. As much as we hate to admit it, validation from others that we are creating value for them is important.

 

4. Passion shows us we have nothing to lose

As I went through this sales training yesterday, I heard the sales trainer say that he is here because he has got nothing to lose. When I was speaking with him, one on one I explained my near miss with cancer and we instantly bonded.

He told me in his own words that each of us has got nothing to lose. We both looked at each other and knew that we had come to this realisation of our mortality already – many in the room had not. Through both of our actions, we were consciously demonstrating that our passion is all we’ve got.

“When we are no longer here one day, what we did with our passion and whom we inspired is all that is going to be remembered”

This man had worked very hard his entire life, and he was living with whatever time he had left to make a dent in the world.

He was showing that when everything from his body parts to his health, to his certainty about life is taken away, in the end, all we have left is our passion. All we can do is forget about the naysayers and show everyone what we’ve got and how we can help.

 

5. We become zombies without passion

Our lives become nothing more than a stimulus response environment when we have zero passion. Rather than having our passion guide us, and our sense of curiosity take us on wild adventures, we become zombies that only react to bright red notifications on our smartphones. We lack any clarity or purpose about what each day should mean.

The sales trainer could have easily become a zombie and let cancer control his mind. He could have easily circum to external triggers and fell into a disempowering state – he didn’t. Passion brings out our human spirit, and this is what zombies don’t have. Their purpose is their very existence; nothing else. Passion in the antidote to cancer and it’s what keeps us alive.

 

6. Passion helps overcome obstacles

Any quest for massive success is inherently going to involve many obstacles that need to be overcome. Without passion, it’s going to be tough to reach inside and have the strength to strategise, and execute, on a potential solution.

For the sales trainer, he has Mount Everest (cancer) to overcome, and he has won so far because of his passion for his work. His passion takes his mind away from the future and brings him back to the present. The present is where true peace and sanity are found.

 

7. Without passion, disease takes over

In one of Tony Robbin’s books, he talks about how statistically speaking; insurance companies know that when someone retires they typically die not long after. In my mind, I have linked up that to retire and not follow your passion is to die.

Dis-ease in the body can be triggered by a number of different events. One of those is a lack of passion and a failure to understand why you’re waking up every day. Keep moving, keep creating forward momentum, and keep exercising.

Life is movement. Life is living your passion no matter what.

 

***Final Thought***

Yesterday this sales trainer inspired me. It’s rare to see a human being endure so much and still have a spirit that is unwavering in defeat. I want you to look at yourself and find out whether you are really living your passion. If you’re not achieving your goals, then it’s likely linked to your passion.

I would like to wish the sales trainer all the best in his continuous fight with cancer. To see him be so authentic and to watch him use his cancer as a tool for greatness is not something I have seen before. It’s these types of people that create change, push society forward, and who challenge the way we think.

My advice to you is to give everything you’ve got to be one of these extraordinary people. Never lose hope and know that your potential is limitless.

Is your passion burning inside or do you need to find it again? Let me know in the comments section below or on my website timdenning.net and my Facebook. 
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Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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