Something finally clicked for me, and it's on this whole Passion vs. Motivation thing.
Letting your passions motivate your business, even if your particular business isn't your passion.
@MJ DeMarco wrote about it in TMF , but I never understood until I experienced it. It's a very powerful feeling, and (for me) works a LOT more effectively than fear/loss based motivation.
My Work
Right now, I'm doing video stuff. I've got a few clients paying me monthly to rank their videos on google. I'm selling infoproducts on how to do video, video that converts, software tutorials, etc. I have the occasional customer who wants a unique video made.
I do this because I'm GOOD at it and I'm building skills. The work itself however is a "take it or leave it" deal. I don't wake up excited everyday to do the work, and I've gotten to the point where I dread it.
My Passion
I have recently let a new passion infiltrate my life. A project that's been floating around the back of my head for years. Last week I took my first steps towards it and it has completely gripped my imagination. I won't go into details, but it's a weekly web-TV show I want to create (and then hopefully license/syndicate to tv/hulu/netflix)
The project makes me excited. I lay awake at night thinking about it. I spend my free-time listening to podcasts and radio shows and audiobooks on the topic. I'm SO excited to get my work done for the day because it means I have time to work on this hobby.
Letting My Passion Drive My Business
This project requires a few resources I don't currently have.
They're not unobtainable, but they do cost money I don't have.
I need a faster machine. I need a better microphone. I need to hire some design work out, I need to do some writing.
I'm eventually going to hold a kickstarter, but I want to have a working pilot made before I even bring it to get funding. I want to prove the concept before I ask for assistance.
This need for money is motivating me to kick a$$ on my business. I've been a complete MACHINE lately, working all hours of the day to make the money I need to fund this project.
I actually see that my existing business will reach great levels of accomplishment due to me wanting to fund a completely separate project.
Letting My Passion Drive Personal Connections
In order to be successful in my passion, I realize I'll need to make the proper connections before my kickstarter launches. I want there to be a group of people who all know/like/trust me enough to promote me when the time comes.
I like helping people, I really really do. I like sharing anything I know that could be of help, and I've even been known to do free work because I believed in the person/project. However, I've never had the burning desire to ASSERT myself into helping other people.
I, for instance, have identified a few podcasts/blogs about kickstarter funding. Their audience is filled with proven backers and influential people. I am now writing guest posts and offering my video expertise to them and their audience. I don't need promotion, I don't need a backlink, I don't need a plug.
Hopefully, in the coming months, If/when I DO need a few moment of promotional time, they'll be there for me. But even if not, I'm okay with that.
Sharing my video expertise will expand the reach of my business organically. I knew this was a possibility before, but I just didn't CARE enough to actually go ahead and do it. This passion has really jumpstarted how outgoing I am (in a business context)
I have already met wonderful influential people who have offered to help me, so it looks like it's working.
Bottom Line
I'm using a separate passion about something to drive my business.
I'm using a separate passion to drive business connections and contacts.
I'm using a separate passion to make friends and explore new ideas.
What are you passionate about?
Letting your passions motivate your business, even if your particular business isn't your passion.
@MJ DeMarco wrote about it in TMF , but I never understood until I experienced it. It's a very powerful feeling, and (for me) works a LOT more effectively than fear/loss based motivation.
My Work
Right now, I'm doing video stuff. I've got a few clients paying me monthly to rank their videos on google. I'm selling infoproducts on how to do video, video that converts, software tutorials, etc. I have the occasional customer who wants a unique video made.
I do this because I'm GOOD at it and I'm building skills. The work itself however is a "take it or leave it" deal. I don't wake up excited everyday to do the work, and I've gotten to the point where I dread it.
My Passion
I have recently let a new passion infiltrate my life. A project that's been floating around the back of my head for years. Last week I took my first steps towards it and it has completely gripped my imagination. I won't go into details, but it's a weekly web-TV show I want to create (and then hopefully license/syndicate to tv/hulu/netflix)
The project makes me excited. I lay awake at night thinking about it. I spend my free-time listening to podcasts and radio shows and audiobooks on the topic. I'm SO excited to get my work done for the day because it means I have time to work on this hobby.
Letting My Passion Drive My Business
This project requires a few resources I don't currently have.
They're not unobtainable, but they do cost money I don't have.
I need a faster machine. I need a better microphone. I need to hire some design work out, I need to do some writing.
I'm eventually going to hold a kickstarter, but I want to have a working pilot made before I even bring it to get funding. I want to prove the concept before I ask for assistance.
This need for money is motivating me to kick a$$ on my business. I've been a complete MACHINE lately, working all hours of the day to make the money I need to fund this project.
I actually see that my existing business will reach great levels of accomplishment due to me wanting to fund a completely separate project.
Letting My Passion Drive Personal Connections
In order to be successful in my passion, I realize I'll need to make the proper connections before my kickstarter launches. I want there to be a group of people who all know/like/trust me enough to promote me when the time comes.
I like helping people, I really really do. I like sharing anything I know that could be of help, and I've even been known to do free work because I believed in the person/project. However, I've never had the burning desire to ASSERT myself into helping other people.
I, for instance, have identified a few podcasts/blogs about kickstarter funding. Their audience is filled with proven backers and influential people. I am now writing guest posts and offering my video expertise to them and their audience. I don't need promotion, I don't need a backlink, I don't need a plug.
Hopefully, in the coming months, If/when I DO need a few moment of promotional time, they'll be there for me. But even if not, I'm okay with that.
Sharing my video expertise will expand the reach of my business organically. I knew this was a possibility before, but I just didn't CARE enough to actually go ahead and do it. This passion has really jumpstarted how outgoing I am (in a business context)
I have already met wonderful influential people who have offered to help me, so it looks like it's working.
Bottom Line
I'm using a separate passion about something to drive my business.
I'm using a separate passion to drive business connections and contacts.
I'm using a separate passion to make friends and explore new ideas.
What are you passionate about?
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