In a previous post entitled, The 3 Stages of Passionate Living, I promised to share with you my personal story and my passionate living journey. I hope my story will inspire you to start your own pursuit of passionate living.
Here’s the beginning…
I remember the day I returned home from school with my first chemistry lesson.
That day I had learned that there are three types of substances: solid, liquid, and gas. Our teacher told us to look carefully at everything we see and to categorize it into the right type.
I was very excited about the lesson and assignment, and started my examination of things around me while I ate lunch. I looked at the plates and categorized them under the solid category, the water under the liquid category, and the smell of the food under the gas category. Then I took a piece of bread and cut it – and I was shocked! What type of substances is this? I could easily cut it, so it couldn’t be a solid, and of course it couldn’t be a liquid or a gas.
So what could the bread be?!
At first I was confused, but then I got really excited!
I thought I had made a huge discovery, and started dreaming of seeing and hearing my name in all the national and international newspapers, magazines, and TV shows – all amazed by the genius kid who had made the greatest discovery of the century.
I finished lunch quickly and rushed to my room. I grabbed my science book and a sheet of paper and started writing a scientific paper.
After listing all the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases, I wrote, “And since bread shares none of these characteristics, it must fall under a fourth category – elastic substance.”
Thrilled about my discovery, I took my paper and rushed to my father’s room.
My father is very logical, conservative, and critical. He doesn’t pay much attention to the pros of things or situations – but he sees the cons clearly and vividly! I call him Mr. Worry because he worries about everything.
I opened the door. “What’s up, son?” he asked with apprehension.
“Hey, Dad, please take a look at this!”
“What is it?”
“Just read this, please. Please!” I handed him my paper proudly, then stood there with the unshakable confidence of a genius.
My father read the paper…and began to laugh!
“What’s wrong?” I asked, devastated.
And he said, “Do you really think that all the greatest scientists in the world haven’t already thought of this?”
“Umm, I don’t know,” I said weakly.
“Son, bread is considered a solid. And don’t tell anyone about this, or they will laugh at you.”
TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT! BROKEN SELF-ESTEEM.
My father’s logic won over mine. His logic spoke to mine, and it made perfect sense. I thought to myself, “He must be right. Haven’t scientists throughout history eaten bread? If this is something worth discovering, they would have discovered it long ago.”
Defeated and disappointed, I threw my scientific paper away. After that experience, I lost trust in my own thoughts and ideas. I became very hesitant about every step I made and every new endeavor I began. Whenever someone said “That will be difficult” or “That’s wrong” or “That doesn’t make sense,” I just listened and quit whatever I was doing.
The years passed like that. Finally, in my last year at college, I fell in love with the field of success and motivation. I had the gut instinct that this would be my field, the field where I could leave a great legacy – a field I could live and die for.
I decided to immediately print business cards so I could start building my identity and my practice as a success coach.
When I stepped into the printing company, I saw the owner, a man in his late thirties, sitting behind his wooden desk, calm and relaxed. There were some boxes on his desk that I assumed contained samples of all the cards he had printed for his clients. He was like a card collector – a smart business networking man! With all those cards, he must have contacts in every field imaginable!
I said, “Hello, I’d like to have some business cards printed, please.”
“Of course, our pleasure,” he said. “But we have to agree on something first. We usually take the first business card from each client. See this box of cards?”
“Oh sure, it will be an honor,” I replied.
“It’s a deal, then. What name do you want to put on the card?”
“Mohamed Tohami.”
“And what is the title?”
“Umm…Success and Life Mastery Coach.”
“Sorry? Can you say that again?!”
“Success and Life Mastery Coach,” I said again, getting a little nervous.
“What kind of profession is that?”
“Oh, it’s kind of a counselor that helps people achieve their goals and succeed,” I explained.
“I’m not sure I understand. Anyway, are you sure you want to write that?”
“Yes, please.”
A few days later, I went back to pick up my cards. “Thanks,” I said. “The printing looks great!”
I paid and started to leave before I remembered: “Oh, sorry. I almost forgot about the card you asked for.”
And the business owner replied, “Oh, no no. Never mind. You can keep it.”
“No way,” I said firmly. “Here – take TWO!”
Then I rushed home, opened the door to my father’s room, and handed him a card, saying, “Hey, dad, please keep this with you – you might need it!”
He smiled and said, “Oh, a business card?” Then he looked at it and started to laugh.
“Success and Life Mastery Coach? Hmm. Do you really think you can teach people how to succeed? You just graduated! Go get a job first. Excel at it and succeed in it, and then you can start thinking about helping other people. But not before at least 5 to 7 years.”
Once again, I was disappointed.
And once again, his logic made perfect sense. How on earth could I teach people how to succeed without having had any kind of experience or success myself?
But this time, there was a small difference. His logic was not speaking to my logic. Instead, it was speaking to my heart.
Years later, when I reflected back on that moment, I realized that when your heart enters the challenge, your success is guaranteed.
Something happened to me as I stood there in my father’s room. Up until that point, I had always quit projects or given up on my ideas as soon as I found them too difficult or other people told me that I’d never succeed.
But this time, I didn’t stop or quit. Instead, I became deaf and blind to every single negative influence.
For the first time in my entire life, I wasn’t hesitant. I didn’t give up easily, and I didn’t quit. I stood solid as a pyramid against the laughter, criticism, and disbelief of others. And I followed the guidance of my heart.
For me, my newfound strength against all odds was a perfect sign that I had found my true purpose in life. I finally felt that I had all the motivation I’d ever need to keep moving forward in the direction of my dreams.
I won’t claim that I had a vivid idea in my mind of what I would achieve or how I’d go about it. All I knew back then was that I loved success and helping people succeed more than anything on earth. And for me, that was enough.
I no longer believe in the famous saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It’s not 100% correct, at least for me. Willpower didn’t help me that much in my journey through life. Will was not my secret weapon – in fact, it let me down many times.
My secret weapon was my heart. So now I say,
“Where there’s a HEART, there’s a way.”
I started working very hard and learned like a sponge. I read every book I could get my hands on. I worked on developing myself, my knowledge, my experience, and my credibility. I totally immersed myself in my chosen field. Of course I got a 9-to-5 job, but I followed my passion in every spare second I had and stuck with it, no matter what. I even left a stressful job and found a less stressful and less time-consuming one, just so I’d have more time to dedicate to my passion.
I started to find opportunities to speak and train other people. Then I built my website and started to learn and use Internet marketing tactics to reach out to thousands of people worldwide with my articles, teleseminars, and online products.
Eventually, I learned that the easiest way to become successful is to find someone who is already successful at what you want to do and follow in his footsteps. So I started to interview over 120 top success and business experts. I asked them about their secrets of success and how they built their success empires from scratch. I learned from them hundreds of hands-on success strategies and transformational wisdom. And I recorded these interviews in a project called The Success Avalanche, and published it on the web so other people could benefit from it.
Then, after six years of research and study, I wrote my first book, The Pharaohs’ Code. And what did I do after it was published and I received my first copy?
I took it to my father – yes, AGAIN!
“Hey, dad. Please take a look at this book.”
“Oh, it looks great. Hmm, The Pharaohs’ Code – interesting title.” He started flipping through the pages. He liked the chapter titles a lot and was amazed by the powerful testimonials and endorsements written by top success experts. Then he asked, “Who is the author? Oh, is that you? When did you do that? How did you know all these people who wrote these endorsements for your book?”
I smiled and said, “I’ve been working.”
Yes, that’s all I’d done. I’d been working for six years, but I was driven by a heart full of fire and desire! I can’t claim that I had a vision to write a book – all I know is that I had a heart that deeply loved success wisdom. Along the way, I was struck by one idea after the other. From the interviews, to the research into the literature and wisdom of the pharaohs, and finally to finding a way to bring those two things together in a book.
And on May 19, 2009, The Pharaohs’ Code became the #1 bestselling motivational book on Amazon!
When I reflect back on that accomplishment and ask myself how I did it, I realize that much of that success came because I learned how to “tango with my heart.” The logic of my mind had nothing to do with it initially; instead, it all started with my intense LOVE of something, and in putting my full trust in my heart to lead the way.
That’s what you need to do to transform your life and manifest the success you dream of.
Tango with your heart.
How many times have you buried your dreams and ignored the love and light in your heart because of circumstances, other people, or your own self-limiting beliefs and fears? Because someone, somewhere, somehow told you that you’re not qualified, that you don’t have enough knowledge or experience, that you’re too young or too old – and they called this ADVICE!
And how many times have you listened to this negative input? How many times have you quit? How many times have you given up your dreams? How was your life after that? Lifeless?
Enough is enough. It is time to tango with your heart.
You don’t always have to follow logic, stumble upon a magical idea, or do what makes sense. Sometimes you just have to do what FEELS right, because that’s what makes all the difference!
Tango with your heart.
Listen to your heart. Listen to its magnificent symphony.
In your heart lies your greatness, your uniqueness, your brilliance, your legacy, and your happiness. There in your heart lies your satisfaction, your fulfillment, your vitality, and your dreams. There in your heart lies the true you.
There is no shame in not being “qualified” for something. There is no shame in failing. The only shame is giving up your dreams.
Brian Tracy once said, “Most people die at the age of 25 and have their bodies buried at the age of 65!”
They die at the age of 25 – because they give up their dreams and live a lifeless life.
You don’t want to belong to this category. Now is your time to tango with your heart.
Activate your passion, liberate your uniqueness, get noticed, and add enormous value to your life and the lives of others. Now is your time to overcome the hits and strikes of life and persevere with your dreams.
Now is your time to look the naysayers in the eye – those who laughed at you, those who didn’t believe in you – and to let your best response be a remarkable success.
No more fears and no more hesitation. No more tears and no more limitations.
This is your day.
This is the beginning of your new life, the life that you truly deserve.
Now is your time to shine and show the world the promise and brilliance of your legacy.
Now is the time to tango with your heart.
>> Don’t forget – your comment is very important to me, so I can make sure I’m giving you everything you need to discover and live your passion. Just leave your thoughts, questions or ANYTHING ELSE in the comment form below. <<
To Your Passionate Life,
M. A. Tohami
Bestselling author of The Pharaohs’ Code
The P.A.S Technique: The World’s Easiest Way To Find Your Passion and Purpose In Life
(Click Here to Read the Full Story)
I remember the day I returned home from school with my first chemistry lesson.
That day I had learned that there are three types of substances: solid, liquid, and gas. Our teacher told us to look carefully at everything we see and to categorize it into the right type.
I was very excited about the lesson and assignment, and start
I remember the day I returned home from school with my first chemistry lesson.
That day I had learned that there are three types of substances: solid, liquid, and gas. Our teacher told us to look carefully at everything we see and to categorize it into the right type.
I was very excited about the lesson and assignment, and started my examination of things around me while I ate lunch. I looked at the plates and categorized them under the solid category, the water under the liquid category, and the smell of the food under the gas category. Then I took a piece of bread and cut it – and I was shocked! What type of substances is this? I could easily cut it, so it couldn’t be a solid, and of course it couldn’t be a liquid or a gas.
So what could the bread be?
ed my examination of things around me while I ate lunch. I looked at the plates and categorized them under the solid category, the water under the liquid category, and the smell of the food under the gas category. Then I took a piece of bread and cut it – and I was shocked! What type of substances is this? I could easily cut it, so it couldn’t be a solid, and of course it couldn’t be a liquid or a gas.
So what could the bread be?
24. November 2010 at 12:04 pm
This is inspiring, fruitful, funny, motivating story Tohami…
While you are speaking about your story, I imagine a scene where you face those challenges and then stop at each moment of the success and challenges you passed through, I laughed a lot, then I get inspired by your story and the wise words you have mentioned.
Tohami, I always see you as a legand of self motivation and inspiration… Keep the passion up up up
Best Of Luck, Success, Joy and Happiness,
Mohammed Magdy
howtobeamarketer.com Ownner, Author, Coach and Public Speaker
Chartered Marketer, MCIM, MKTG Dip, CIDTT, N.L.P. Pract., B.S.c Pharm.
24. November 2010 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Mohammed for your kind feedback. Keep up your good work too
24. November 2010 at 1:50 pm
“Where there’s a HEART, there’s a way.”
This is so true. The thing I learned this past year is that willpower is an exhaustable resource. You have only so much of it.
At this point in my life, this time of this year, now, I am at about enough one day of willpower per week. The rest of the week is dragging myself along just to manage to do anything. I am taking a long break at the end of this year to enable myself to get back to where my heart is.
This is a great post and a clear warning to all fathers. It will make me think twice about what I say to my boys.
24. November 2010 at 2:39 pm
Hi Gerhi,
I love your description of willpower. It is definitely an exhaustible resource. Thanks for your valuable comment.
24. November 2010 at 1:50 pm
nice article Mohamed … I always like to read and share your article with other, so keep going in your success way and keep on inspiring others with your thoughts and experiences …Good luck!
24. November 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hi Mohamed,
Thanks a lot for your kind feedback and for sharing with your connections.
24. November 2010 at 2:00 pm
This story is so Remarkable ! I remember when I enjoyably attended your speech event at “Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel” & how much I was really impressed by your success story. I’m now, & once more inspired by reading it & I believe it’s a great lift-up to everyone. If i ever feel demotivated, i’ll make sure to read your story again & again ,it’s a perfect reference to anyone who wants to be in continual “Motivational Mode”
24. November 2010 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Israa, my lovely wife. Your love and support mean a lot to me
24. November 2010 at 5:47 pm
Thanks Mohamed,
I appreciate the story and your journey. Your passion answers the question I used to have about why “they” created that and I didn’t.
The question I have for you is how did you work through your feelings about your father? I am sure you loved the man but did you not also feel angry at how he downplayed your excitement?
I understand and appreciate motivational messages, and living from your heart is a good one. I am also aware that I have messages from my Dad, very similar by the way, that I was not only able to over come from motivational messages. I had to do the work of understanding my Dad from an adult perspective. Since I have done this work for myself I have come in contact with lots of other men who have the same challenge.
I did not read the book so maybe you cover it there. Interested in your response.
Thanks
Wayne
25. November 2010 at 10:53 am
Hi Wayne,
Thanks a lot for your comment and your question.
I never held negative feelings towards my father. On the contrary, when I reflect back, I feel totally grateful for his reaction. Because unless he challenged me that way, I would never be sure that this was my purpose in life.
I call this the “Passion Validation Test”.
In your pursuit of passionate living, you will encounter an event that will test your desire and put you under a great stress. This test will show how passionate you’re about your dream.
Only when you pass the test and feel that you’re unstoppable, can you be sure that this is your true passion and purpose in life.
I hope this answers your question.
25. November 2010 at 8:37 am
This’s really so inspiring &yup it’s time to tango wiz our heart &maybe it should always be the time as long as we’re alive
but you know what i still do strongly believe in “Where there’s a will there’s a way” coz i see that the real deep will that energize your heart &makes u work hard,bare all hardships&face ur obstacles that’s because you really BELIEVE and have a specific strong WILL to do something at that time your HEART is your GUIDE and your BEST COMPANY at your long journey ,the one who would take care of ur wounds,negative beliefs so as fuel that supports u & prevents the fear of stopping u 2 continue striking ur game&
As for those who’ve only a will but do nothing that’s because they don’t have a real strong one to motivate them they’re just DREAMING,WISHING&WANTING and that’s why they’ll always keep so&tht’s why the give up easily just to start wishing a new thing…
while reading your story there’s just a quote jumped to my mind that i believe in “Easy Come Easy Go…”
1st when you find ur Bread theory it’s so easily 2 find but so easy to vanish as well coz it’s effortless & without a real will
but you became a bestselling author that’s thorough years of working hard,studying& searching
i think this’s the best reply& proof that “REAL SUCCESS NEVER COMES BY CHANCE”
Mohamed ,i think i won’t finish writing down my opinion abt u coz u already know it well so i’ve just gtg coz i’ve now my Tango class wiz my lovely long lasted partner “My Heart”
wishing u all the best my friend
thanks 4 sharing & being inspiring & yup um totally inspired (“,)
25. November 2010 at 11:01 am
Hi Rania,
Thanks a lot for your wonderful comment and kind words.
I agree with you that “REAL SUCCESS NEVER COMES BY CHANCE”.
And I tend to disagree with the WILL part.
The heart always comes first. Without passion and a burning desire, there is no will. As you said, the will turns into a wish.
Your heart is the fuel of perseverance, NOT the WILL.
25. November 2010 at 9:55 am
That was a great success story….I totally relate to it…
25. November 2010 at 11:02 am
Thanks Rezwana. I’m glad you like it and I hope it inspired you enough to pursue your passion.
27. November 2010 at 11:38 am
I would like to thank you for sharing us your success story and also giving us the the opportunity to discuss it together.
I think that, the willpower is a result of the heartpower, which depends on the heart-health-care, if the heart is totally dead the person can not pass the “Passion Validation Test”.
The Willpower is nothing more than a trademark of a successful company between the person’s dreams and heart soundness.
The question is,what keeps or makes your heart alive? is it the love, fear of both in somehow?
Thanks again
28. November 2010 at 4:09 pm
Hi Mahmoud,
Thanks a lot for your valuable comment and your question.
Your heart remains alive when your passion is connected to a higher purpose. Passion with Purpose leads to ultimate fulfillment. This happens when you do what you love for a meaningful cause.
I suggest that you check my special report, “The 5 Major Clues to Find Your Purpose In Life”. Just sign up and you’ll instantly receive it on your inbox.
Also, I recommend that you read the series entitled, “The 5 Golden Keys to Activate The Power of Passion In Your Life”
I hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Tohami
12. April 2011 at 11:55 am
Dear Mohamed,
I have achieved “unachievable” in my live or so I was told. And I don’t regret any single thing in my life till now. Yes, sometimes I look back from today and think “I should have reacted differently” but at the same time I understand I never would react that way at that time as I didn’t learn this lesson yet. What lead me to in the most difficult moments of my life was a passion of course, passion of knowing exactly what I wanted my life to be like. And lots of will power as well.
Nevertheless, I would like to add, that you can’t just find your passion once and then everything just goes smooth and you are happy forever. The more you discover about yourself, the more work you have to do. It is like going to another lever every time you obtained something in your life. And the new level is always more challenging than the one before. This is a real joy: instead of repeating the same lessons again and again your mastering your life skills and take another step, facing and overcoming a new challenge.
To sum up, finding your passion is not only a solution. By going to pursue you goals you should also be ready to take a responsibility for all the outcome it can bring you. Because I have seen some people who take all these motivational things as just an easy way to get what they want and then relax.
13. April 2011 at 10:57 am
Hi Olesya,
You’re right. Passion is the spark that transforms everything. And in the same time, it creates desire and energy within you that will support you through the next stages.
You can check my post entitled, The 3 Stages of Passionate Living. http://www.transformationalmotivation.com/the-3-stages-of-passionate-living/
Finding your passion is the beginning. And the rest is an enjoyable journey to live your passion and connect it to a profitable path.
4. August 2011 at 3:36 pm
Long ago dead, rediscovering passion… and overcoming the apathy and exhaustion. Huge and nearly overwhelming. Your work gives me hope.
5. August 2011 at 10:09 am
Thanks Kimmer. You can make a difference. If you need help discovering your passion and purpose in life, please check http://bit.ly/qcqV7p
30. October 2011 at 7:38 am
Very good Tohami.
We have waited till late fifties to go this route. And it’s a different world, however, what you went through in your early years we now have to deal with as “retired” people. And I agree with some comments above; perhaps it’s about heart but I feel it’s also more about resilience and perserverance.
But your story is very inspiring and an example for others to follow especially when they start out- too many guys get caught up in the “rat race” and lose sight of what they really want to achieve.
Kind regards
MIke
31. October 2011 at 11:07 am
Thanks Mike for your insights. Perseverance is very important. However, without a burning desire in your heart, you won’t be able to persevere long enough.
5. November 2011 at 11:39 pm
Dear Mohamed
Thank you very much for your useful Story which may have occurred to all of us with different events, but lacked the challenge stemming from the heart.I have really influenced and motivated and I’ll start to put my full trust in my heart.
Thanks again
Sami
5. November 2011 at 11:47 pm
Dear Mohamed
Thanks for your useful Story which may have occurred useful to all of us with different events, but lacked the challenge stemming from the heart.
I have really influenced and motivated and I’ll start to put my full trust in my heart to lead the way.
Thanks again
Sami
8. November 2011 at 12:28 pm
Great! I’m glad you’re motivated to follow your heart. You’ll never regret it.
23. December 2011 at 8:49 pm
thank u Mr Tohami for helping me to find my passion in life, may God bless u in fullness.Iam student in Ghana who want to become a great motivational speaker in the world.i know that through u i can unearth my passion.i want to be part of your online learning but i do not have credit card to pay the bills so iam pleading to u that help me get access to your online teaching.THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME AND GOD BLESS YOU .Good bye.
6. February 2012 at 11:36 am
Dear Mohamed,
i was glad i came across this link. a dear friend of mine actually came to me asking me to help him with his problem on fear of the unknown which i see actually stemmed from a broken self-esteem. i smiled at him thinking that i’d surf the net for his debacle. and so in my search i found this. i just hope and pray that this may wake him up and inspire him to live the life he wanted.
thank you so much for your inspiring piece.
Ameera
9. February 2012 at 10:07 am
Thanks Ameera. I’m so glad to hear this. I hope your friend will find this article valuable to him.