Forget Passion- This is what really creates a thriving business

Don't Follow Your Passion

You’ve Heard People Say “Follow Your Passion”…

And though it's well meaning, it's terrible advice.?

On a side tangent,?You wanna know the advice I loathe more than that??

"Do what you love and never work a day in your life"?

????

Listen motivational post on Instagram...

?I have formed and birthed a human?I love- and I tell you what...?that is hard work every day of my life.?

Good things require work, even things you love.?

Love and passion don't equal a clear or easy path.?

Nor do they point to the right path to take.?

It’s not that simple, nor is passion a practical way to figure it out.

The Craftsman Mindset Over Passion

In our M360 book club, we are reading?Cal Newport’s , Be So Good They Can't Ignore You.?

In chapter one, he introduces us to the "craftsman mindset." This concept shifts our focus from finding a path that ignites our passion to developing skills that are so valuable and excellent that the market can't help but take notice.?

It’s about what you can offer the world, not just what you love to do.

Why Passion doesn't equal success

Many of us have diverse interests, but not all of them can or should lead to a business venture. Instead of obsessing over passion, we should cultivate our skills—the ones that solve problems and fulfill market needs.

The truth is, the satisfaction from being excellent at what you do can spark a deeper, more sustainable purpose.

But that's not all...

My Experience

I once flirted with the idea of event planning, drawn by my passion for creating beautiful, memorable experiences, love of making crafts,?and my natural ability to plan and organize every minute and motion of a day.

However, the day-to-day realities of that passion—handling logistics, delivery people, expectations and mood swings of others while spending every weekend and holiday with strangers—sounded like a headache waiting to happen. That?quickly dimmed my excitement.

And that was key thing to understand.?

My excitement diminished.?

It wasn't about the passion fading; I still love planning events for myself and those I love.?

It was about recognizing where my skills, market demands, and excitement could best align without leading to anxiety and?burnout.

Read that sentence again.?

So what do I do instead?

I. Follow. My. Excitement.

It’s much easier than finding my “passion.”

Joseph Campbell once said,

“I don’t think people are looking for meaning in their life. I think they’re looking for the experience of feeling alive.”?

Let that sink into your bones.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I really feel like I'm living?
• Do I feel alive and excited about what I'm doing?
• If not, what would excite me?

I’m not talking about going off to find some fleeting thrill. I mean that feeling of possibility and excitement for the future. That’s what I truly believe we all want.

For me, I found excitement in helping others. The same way I call all my friends to share?the latest “deals” I found (yes, I'm that lady)—I get paid to?do the same professionally,?whether it’s a great strategy, a new perspective, or a way to make life easier.?

That’s what coaching is for me.?

It’s sharing the best of what I’ve learned to help others succeed.

Sure, you need to combine what excites you with a viable business model and market.

But follow your excitement first, my friend. Then identify your craftsman skills within that excitement.

That combination will point to way more powerful path than any fleeting passion can.?

And it rescue you from the trap of viable but boring. So, don’t stress about finding your passion.?

My suggestion??Let it go altogether.?

Look for what excites you.?

Reconnect to what makes you feel alive.?

Combine that with your craftsman skills and?you’ll find the sweet spot for your business and your life.

Steps to?Turn Excitement into a Thriving Business

1. Discover What Excites You: Think about what parts of your day you look forward to the most. Is it chatting with customers, designing your product, or maybe the strategy behind your marketing? Pinpoint these activities—they're clues to where your energy best flows in your business.
2. Sharpen Your Skills-Be a Craftsman: Once you know what excites you, focus on getting really good at it. This might mean practicing it often, taking a course, or connecting with some support. The goal is to become excellent at these skills because they’re crucial to what you love doing.
3. Check the Market: Make sure there’s a demand for what you love to do. A quick way to do this is to look at customer feedback, check out what competitors are doing, and see if there's a gap you can fill. It's all about making sure people will pay for what excites you.
4. Try Small Tests: Before going all in, run small experiments. For example, if you think a new product will be a hit, try selling it as a limited edition to see how it goes. This low-risk approach lets you gather feedback and tweak your ideas without huge upfront investments of time, effort or money.
5. Keep Evaluating: Regularly take a step back to see what's working and what isn’t. Talk to a coach or trusted colleague to see what you might not see.?Maybe you'll find that certain tasks drain your energy, or others are more profitable and enjoyable than expected. Adjust your business plan as you learn more about where your skills and excitement meet real customer needs.

Embrace the Journey

Building a business around skills that serve a real audience, rather than simply following passion, creates a foundation for long-term success and personal fulfillment.

In short, build an exciting life and identify the skills that follow!

Let's build businesses that are not only successful but also rewarding.?