Okay, okay - I get the hint

You know those periods in your life where a certain topic keeps popping up, over and over?

I'm in one of those right now.

In fact, I've been in one for a while now, and it's evolving.

The onslaught began as I dug into a media kit I was writing for one of my clients, who had written a children's book. The tale chronicled a restless young warrior's quest to follow his heart's desire. He didn't know what it was--he only knew that not seeking it made him restless.

Writing about that story started the wheels in my head spinning.

For a while now, I've feared that my growing business will zap any energy and creativity that I could otherwise apply toward my novel. When am I finally going to focus on my literary ambitions?

Shortly after writing the media kit, I had the pleasure of interviewing PR legend David Finn, author of 98 books, accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer and lecturer, as well as the principal owner of one of the world's largest PR powerhouses.

I asked how he was able to pursue all of his passions and create such a thriving business.

"We find the time to do what's important to us," he said.

He's right. If we're committed to doing something, we find a way to do it. But most of us treat our dreams as just that--dreams--not as goals that we set out to achieve.

During the next week or so, several other conversations cropped up about the power of pursuing your passion. An article I read from The New York Times. A movie I saw at the theater. I couldn't get away from it.

So I started raising the issue with other people: at the communications committee meeting for New York Women in Communications, at my weekly breakfast networking meeting. And I found that the subject really resonated with the audiences.

Then, the shift started.

Instead of people talking about passion in general, the comments became more pointed. The people in my life started asking me about my passion: my novel.

I'd chuckle and roll my eyes, talk about how business was keeping me busy. "One of these days."

And the comments kept coming. Not just casual inquiries, but earnest encouragement. From professional contacts, from readers of this blog, from friends, from my boyfriend, from my mom.

Just two hours ago, my sales trainer jumped on this bandwagon, encouraging me to act now toward realizing those aspirations, lest I look back in 20 years, angry at myself for failing to follow my dream.

He's right. They all are.

And I'm taking those steps now.