Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th century British Prime Minister, once said, "Man is only great when he acts from passion."
For today's aspiring entrepreneur, exploring avenues of creativity to find your passion is likely the quickest route to increase your chances of launching a successful business. Where to start? Here, five exercises to help you uncover your passion.
Exercise 1 - Revisit your childhood. What did you love to do?
"It's amazing how disconnected we become to the things that brought us the most joy in favor of what's practical," says Rob Levit, an Annapolis, Md.-based creativity expert, speaker and business consultant.
Levit suggests making a list of all the things you remember enjoying as a child. Would you enjoy that activity now? For example, Frank Lloyd Wright, America's greatest architect, played with wooden blocks all through childhood and perhaps well past it.
"Research shows that there is much to be discovered in play, even as adults," Levit says.
Revisit some of the positive activities, foods and events of childhood. Levit suggests asking yourself these questions to get started: What can be translated and added into your life now? How can those past experiences shape your career choices now?
Exercise 2 - Make a "creativity board."
Start by taking a large poster board, put the words "New Business" in the center and create a collage of images, sayings, articles, poems and other inspirations, suggests Michael Michalko, a creativity expert based in Rochester, N.Y., and Naples, Fla., and author of creativity books and tools, including ThinkPak (Ten Speed Press, 2006).
"The idea behind this is that when you surround yourself with images of your intention -- who you want to become or what you want to create -- your awareness and passion will grow," Michalko says.
As your board evolves and becomes more focused, you will begin to recognize what is missing and imagine ways to fill the blanks and realize your vision.
Related: Bridging the Gap Between Passion and Profits
Exercise 3 - Make a list of people who are where you want to be.
You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Study people who have been successful in the area you want to pursue.
For example, during the recession, many people shied away from the real estate market because they thought it was a dead end. Levit believes that's the perfect time to jump in -- when most others are bailing out -- because no matter the business, there are people who are successful in it. Study them, figure out how and why they are able to remain successful when everyone else is folding and then set up structures to emulate them.
"If you want to be creative, create a rigorous and formal plan," Levit says. "It's not the plan that is creative; it's the process that you go through that opens up so many possibilities."
Related: An Introduction to Business Plans
Exercise 4 - Start doing what you love, even without a business plan
A lot of people wait until they have an extensive business plan written down, along with angel investors wanting to throw cash at them -- and their ideas never see the light of day, according to Cath Duncan, a Calgary, Canada-based creativity expert and life coach who works with entrepreneurs and other professionals.
She recommends doing what you enjoy -- even if you haven't yet figured out how to monetize it. Test what it might be like to work in an area you're passionate about, build your business network and ask for feedback that will help you develop and refine a business plan.
It's a way to not only show the value you would bring, but you can also get testimonials that will help launch your business when you're ready to make it official.
"Perhaps most importantly, though, it'll shift you out of paralysis and fear," Cath says, "and the joy of seeing the difference your contribution makes will fuel your creativity."
Exercise 5 - Take a break from business thinking.
While it might feel uncomfortable to step outside of business mode, the mind sometimes needs a rest from such bottom-line thinking, says Levit, who has recently taken up Japanese haiku, a form of poetry. Maybe for you, it will be creative writing, painting, running or even gardening.
After you take a mental vacation indulging in something you're passionate about, Levit suggests coming back to a journal and writing down any business ideas that come to mind.
"You'll be amazed at how refreshed your ideas are," he says. "Looking at beautiful things - art and nature - creates connections that we often neglect to notice. Notice them capture, them in writing and use them."
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Comments:
It's a way to not only show the value you would bring, but you can also get testimonials that will help launch your business when you're ready to make it official.
Great article! It just goes to show its not always about the RARA like you get from motovational seminars. There are other steps to take to get to where you can personally cheer yourself on.
Love this post, especially at 'revisit your childhood' it's quite out of box thinking! thanks for sharing this!
I like exercise (4) that says start doing what you love, even without a business plan. Doing what you enjoy will make you heading with confidence and bearing the challenges. Your goal is mix with your joy and this will help you make it. Saeed
Lisa, I'm going to make two suggestions that have turned my life around. Firstly, get a coach. No one does this alone. I thought I could and until I invested in myself nothing happened. Once I let go of the thinking I had to do it on my own, I got internally motivated, completely lasered in and eager to meet the day. Secondly, take The Passion Test. It's a simple tool and inexpensive way to get grounded in your top 5 passions. When you begin to focus your attention on your intention (your top 5 passions) things begin to happen. In clarity and success, RICK
I really enjoyed reading this article, I thought I was lost and no one understands how I feel, I wanted to do something but didn't know what or where to start. I wish that I can get in touch with someone for more counseling, I know myself, when I am passionate my energy goes through the roof, when I do what I have to due to survive, it takes a lot of energy and effort to do what needed to be done with no pleasure.
I enjoyed this article. When I'm working with people (small business owners) I often try to help them realize what it is that they enjoy doing. So many are focused upon the details of the business and its growth that they've lost touch a bit with their passion, which makes setting integrated business and personal goals a challenge!
Nice post, It's great to see a blog of this quality. Thanks.
Love this article--- especially the posterboard idea!
Exercise 3 is a great idea, because it gives you a reference point. It also makes it possible for you to map successful people's career paths and see how they can be applicable to yours.
"He who knows others is learned. He who knows himself is wise."‐Lao‐Tse ‐Lao‐Tse Looking inward first is the only realistic way to develop a proper direction outward. I tell people that 85 percent of the process of having the confidence of proper direction is to look inward. Our hearts have to join our heads to find true life direction. Career testing has always been artificial and inadequate, looking primarily at abilities. An investment in looking at yourself pays the best interest in terms of helping you create a proper direction. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you can have about choosing the right application An investment in looking at yourself pays the best interest in terms of helping you create a proper direction. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you can have about choosing the right application Our hearts have to join our heads to find true life direction. Career testing has always been artificial and inadequate, looking primarily at abilities. An investment in looking at yourself pays the best interest in terms of helping you create a proper direction. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you can have about choosing the right application An investment in looking at yourself pays the best interest in terms of helping you create a proper direction. The more you know about yourself, the more confidence you can have about choosing the right application
This is indeed very helpful and inspiring to say the least. Good deeds will pay back good deeds.
Excellent article, thank-you! I just got into an industry I had been curious about for years. I quickly climbed to the top of the ''ladder'' when I was approached by the owners if I wanted to become a partner. I thought that was exactly what I wanted. Then, I took my first vacation in a year. I hiked, swam and really enjoyed nature. When I returned I immedietely realized with 100% certainty that I wanted my own business instead and am really excited to get going with it. I can't stress the importance of your fifth exercise. Thank-you for this article!!
This is a great article. Taking a break from business thinking is good advice. In addition to doing something different, sometimes one needs to do nothing. Often it is in the moments when, when we are unoccupied and the mind is at rest that we come up with creative ideas and solution to problems. You see when we consciously stop working on a problem, our mind keeps working in the background, and sometimes unexpectedly, the winning idea comes. But we have to give the mind space and time to work in the background. So make it a habit of taking time off not just from work or business, but from activity.
good article, it clears the way to many problems and makes your visualization of your goal more realistic and achievable
I agree totally with this article and thats why I believe that you should find something that you absolutely love doing, you're passionate about, you're gifted at, your skills, abilities, value system, attitude—everything aligns with going that direction. That this will not only help us find our purpose but also help us translate that into meaningful and purposeful life and career. I believe that WORK is not just an exchange of time for a paycheck, but is our BEST opportunity to live out our CALLING and create the LEGACY you want to leave behind.
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Great article! Along the same lines, I'd also recommend the book "No More Mondays" by Dan Miller. (I believe the book was also re-released under the title 48 Days to the Work You Love). In it, Dan poses many questions, like the ones you asked above (What did you love to do as a child? What is it that you love to do so much that you would do for free if you could... now--- how could you get PAID to do it?) The book poses so many great questions that may initially stump you. My suggestion is to read it and not just skim through it, say Hmmm... to the questions, and move on, but to actually take the time to figure out the answers to the questions. When you do this exercise and see your own answers all together on paper, you may be amazed at the clarity of it all as you begin to understand what it is that you were really meant to do. Lisa www.StartYourOwnSmallBiz.com
I've actually used your first tip where I considered what I liked as a child and tried to find the common threads in careers. But I would also suggest that people get into the habit of writing down their values. For example, if you value time with value over making money, there are certain careers that might be a better fit.
Spot on Kristen! I think I'm the one who plans down to the last detail, ultimately never getting off the ground. Think I found this article just at the right time.
Right up my alley here. Creativity drives so much; defines our individuality, energy, enthusiasm and enables us to take risks to move forward. Great post, thanks.
Great article, I think there are those of us who don't like to start before we plan down to the last detail (which often means we never start) and those of us who jump right in without a direction. Your article comes right in the middle of both of these camps and gives some good ideas of how and where to get started. About the business plan, I think it's important to have one at some point, even if not when you get started, here's an article on business plans, http://integratedgeneralcounsel.com/elements-of-a-business-plan/, you might find interesting.
Great Article, This really gave some ideas how to explore creativity in a business sense. http://rabydbiz.blogspot.com/
Really good article
I love taking time off to go to Minnesota and visit relatives and go to hockey games as part of my vacation and visiting my childhood memories. I also get to look at the log work my dad's company (AlaskaLogStructures.com or facebook.com/alaskalogstructures) did at the Mall of America and think of ways to advertise and incorporate the designs I'm looking at into the homes we build.
My path to passion began about 1975, when I took my first art class. For many years I've loved painting, going to art shows and teaching others to paint.
Great article. I recently saw a sign about yoga near my office and have been meaning to call. Your exercise 5 reminded me to call and I just did. But seriously it is imperative that prospective entrepreneurs do pick a field about which they are passionate. If you are going to spend 8 hours each day (a new business owner will be spending closer to 16) doing something, make it something you love. Working at something you love clearly increases your chances of success.
Love this article!
John good points - a true passion is professional. There are different types of passion and I don't believe in a reckless passion in the workplace. Often people that are overly passionate about what they do are covering something and they are like the wind. True passion can be measured over the long haul: the passion to stick to it, the passion to innovate and improve, the passion to create new relationships. These things take time and passion must, agreed, be tempered with personal discipline and submission to the mission, vision and values of the organization.
To me passion works best in romance, art and faith. I'm sure it works for some, but too many times I've seen passion in the workplace crash and burn and take down a lot people. How about professionalism, follow through, dedication, expertise...how about dispassion?
Glad you all like the article, it's my first time in Entrepreneur, love it! My websites are www.creativityexpert.com www.roblevit.net and www.artsintegration.org Keep creating and stay inspired!
What a great list. I do believe in doing something you are really passionate. This is great advice. I'm passing on to some young people I know. Thanks.
Great article!
I noticed that a lot of engineers I work with spend their free time engineering, tinkering, and otherwise messing around. It's what they LOVED to do. I thought about it for a while, and I love making people laugh, writing, cooking, gardening, and general meandering and puttering. That's how I came up with my blog... www.awkwardengineer.com. It makes some people laugh, and I'm working to monetize it. Figuring out what you love to do can take some introspection though. For example, I love cooking, but I would never be a restaurant chef. I like making food for people and enjoying the social qualities of eating it with them. That's the part I REALLY love. Take some time, think about it, figure it out, and pursue your dreams!