If you do what you love, you’ll always love what you do. This truism seems to point towards using your passion to fuel your business. This may not be ideal for every single business plan out there, but it’s certainly true for many fledgling entrepreneurs. If you know you want to explore the world of business, but you’re not sure what you want to do yet, start by interrogating your passions.
Whether you love writing, graphic design, helping others figure out what to do next with their lives, software design, or more, it’s entirely possible that you’ll find a way to make what you love into what you do.
Wondering why this is a great goal?
You know a lot about it already
When you go into business pursuing a topic you don’t know anything about, you’re learning from the ground up. Have you ever tried to learn something you don’t care about, or which you have only a passing interest in? It’s harder than people think. The knowledge doesn’t seem to connect to much, and you often get frustrated trying to sort out the knowledge in your head.
But when you start from your passions, it’s much easier to pick up the knowledge you need. You already have a deeper understanding of the overall topic, and you just need to deepen your knowledge in the particular area. Think of mompreneurs who sell products related to kids, fiction writers who turn their skills to copywriting, or YouTube personalities who have used their love of makeup and makeovers in beauty channels that make substantial amounts of money.
You have a leg up on marketing
If you love something, odds are that you’re already in the kinds of social media and niche communities that are your marketing targets as a business person. Whether it’s mailing lists, secret Facebook groups, or Twitter communities, these are the places where traditional marketers often struggle to get a foothold because they’re only present to sell. When you have a history of authentic interaction, you’re going to have an easier time balancing your small business marketing communication with your community involvement.
You also already know something about what messaging will work, since you know what you like and what you don’t. This isn’t a universal constant, and you should still listen to your marketing department, but you have an idea of what will work and what probably won’t.
You can communicate your passion to others
If you love something, odds are that you’ve already worked on communicating that love to other people. You have some business ideas about what features make people’s interest perk up, and what areas tend to make them sleepy. Knowing what to focus on and what to leave in the small print helps you keep the audience’s attention.
Again, this is far from universal; different details engage those who are already interested and those who don’t have much context in the area. Your product may be bringing your passion to a new audience or deepening engagement from the audience that is already present; these two goals will be achieved in different ways. As a community insider, however, you will better understand how to move forward.
Simplifying your business approach
Navigating the bustling realm of business can often lead to feeling lost amid the cacophony of distractions. Yet, amidst the clamor, lies the essence of true significance. This is where the philosophy of minimalism steps in. By embracing a minimalist approach, you can distill your business practices to their core essence, shedding unnecessary burdens and complexities. This results in more efficient operations that alleviate stress.
For instance, through the automation of repetitive tasks and the delegation of non-core functions, you can unlock precious moments and vitality to dedicate to your fervor. This not only infuses your efforts with enjoyment but also elevates productivity. For, when your pursuit is steeped in passion, toil transforms into a labor of love – reminiscent of the adage, “Pursue a vocation you cherish, and work will never encroach upon your days.”
Minimalism is not confined to the mere act of decluttering your physical surroundings; it extends to decluttering your mind. It involves the art of discarding distractions and centering your attention on the quintessential. Within the business context, this translates to prioritizing your passion while shedding ventures misaligned with this fervor. This conscious curation ensures that every choice made and every stride taken propels you nearer to your aspirations. Such singularity in focus becomes a compelling force, propelling you to surmount barriers and persevere through challenges. Thus, keep in mind that triumph in business isn’t about accumulating tasks; it’s about amplifying endeavors that truly hold weight.
You don’t mind the work (as much)
And yes, that old adage about loving what you do. When you’re running a new startup, you’re very busy; 80-hour weeks aren’t uncommon. They aren’t ideal over the long term, but anyone who has been a solo entrepreneur for a period of time can tell you that carving out the necessary time to get projects up and running is incredibly complicated when you’re the boss of everything.
It’s not entirely true that you’ll love everything that relates to your passion; you either love marketing, accounting, sales, and human resources, or you don’t. But since everything ties to your passion, you may have an easier time learning the parts you don’t already know, since it’s for a good purpose that you enjoy.
Starting a business based on your passion isn’t for everyone. However, it is possible to end up spending so much time on the business side of your passion project that the part you enjoy starts to sour. This can be very frustrating if you’re working on something you’ve loved for years or decades. It’s very important, therefore, if you want to turn your fan fiction writing into a full-time copywriting career, for example, or if your art passion should be parlayed into graphic design consulting.
The answer will vary for everyone; if it seems like a better idea to find something adjacent to your passion instead of directly related, that can be an important compromise. You can also look for an idea or product you can be passionate about, without directly incorporating your specific passion.
Barriers to Unleashing Your Success Potential
Neglecting Your Inner Calling
When carving the path towards crafting a business around your passions, heeding your inner calling is important. Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of pursuing ventures that stray from their authentic passions. This disconnect can lead to a dearth of motivation and contentment. For instance, if your heart resonates with writing, yet you find yourself ensnared in a business that stifles your creative expression, a sense of unfulfillment and inadequacy is likely to ensue. The crux lies in identifying what genuinely propels you forward and seamlessly intertwining your business practices with that fervor.
Needlessly Complicating Your Approach
Amid the whirlwind of the business realm, it’s a breeze to become ensnared in distractions and intricacies. The discourse champions the essence of minimalism, a potent ally in your entrepreneurial odyssey. Embracing a minimalist ethos enables you to hone in on the core essentials and relinquish redundant encumbrances. This doesn’t solely pertain to decluttering your physical surroundings; it extends to decluttering your thoughts, elevating your passion, and ensuring each decision propels you closer to your aspirations.
Such unwavering focus wields formidable prowess, empowering you to transcend obstacles and persevere through adversities. Remember, triumph in the business arena hinges not on amassing tasks, but on magnifying endeavors of genuine significance.
